Sr. Advisor, HSSE Commissioning & Startup at NextDecade – Brownsville, Texas

Sr. Advisor, HSSE Commissioning & Startup

ABOUT NEXTDECADE CORPORATION NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to reliable, lower-carbon energy. We are focused on delivering secure and cost-effective energy through the safe and efficient development and operation of natural gas liquefaction capacity at Rio Grande LNG. Through our subsidiaries, we are developing and constructing the Rio Grande LNG natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Brownsville, Texas, with approximately 48 MTPA of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction or in development, sufficient space at the site for up to 10 liquefaction trains, and a potential carbon capture and storage project. NextDecades common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol NEXT. NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.
SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

The Sr. Advisor, HSSE Commissioning & Startup will support a large-scale LNG project in the Rio Grande Valley, providing HSSE leadership throughout pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up phases of the facility. This role is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance and managing high-risk hazards associated with cryogenic systems, hazardous materials, and complex industrial processes.
Initially reporting to the Project HSSE Manager, the role will later transition to Operations HSSE and serve as the HSSE representative across construction, commissioning, and operations activities. The Sr. Advisor will act as a key interface between contractors, engineering, construction, vendors, and operations to ensure consistent implementation of CSU and HSSE strategies, procedures, and best practices.
The role supports start-up readiness through active participation in testing, hazard elimination, workforce training, and safety compliance. The position requires strong field presence, technical knowledge (electrical and mechanical systems), and the ability to support teams ranging from field specialists to management.
The position will be based in Brownsville, TX. Check out our RGV Spotlight Video to learn more about Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley!KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Commissioning (CSU) / HSSE Compliance:
• Lead, Participate, & serve as a Technical Expert in the development, implementation, and management of CSU / HSSE Management Plans & Procedures in compliance with Companys HSSE Management System, standards, and contract and regulatory requirements.
• Lead, Develop, Implement & maintain CSU & HSSE programs and procedures and serve as a technical resource to provide direction on the safe execution of work, following all CSU / HSSE programs / procedures, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Lead, Participate, & serve as a Technical Expert in CSU / HSSE audits, inspections, and assessments to identify hazards and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
• Risk Management:
• Lead, Participate, & serve as a Technical Expert in Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) risk assessments and hazard identification in support of E&C, CSU, & Operations.
• Lead, Participate, & serve as a Technical Expert in SIMOPs risk reviews, Permit to Work activities, and Control of Hazardous Energy / Lock out Tag out.
• Process Safety Management (PSM) & SIMOPs: Intermediate or above knowledge level to Develop, Implement, and Management of Process Safety Management (PSM) elements / HSSE programs, processes, and procedures. Interface strategically with Construction, Owner, and the SIMOPS Coordinator for necessary permits, work authorizations, and Lockout/Tagout, ensuring appropriate System Engineer involvement.
• Verify field-level execution and documentation of critical safety systems such as: Permit-to-Work (PTW) and LOTO, Confined space entry, Hot work controls, Control of Hazardous Energy / LoTo, Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR), Management of Change (MoC)

• Regulatory Compliance: Administer and ensure compliance with relevant federal, state, and local regulations including OSHA, USCG, DOT, and the Railroad Commission of Texas, as applicable.
• Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment: Conduct hazard identification (HAZID), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), and "what-if" scenarios to identify risks and develop appropriate mitigation measures.
• Procedure Review & Implementation: Review and provide expert input on all facility operating procedures, safety guidelines, and policies, acting as the subject matter expert (SME) for safety protocols.
• Training & Mentorship: Provide safety training (e.g., LOTO, confined space, etc.) to personnel and contractors, coaching field teams on best practices and safety culture.
• Incident Management: Facilitate and direct incident investigations and root cause analyses to ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented and tracked to completion.
• Emergency Response: Manage and oversee emergency response programs, including fire brigade and rescue teams, ensuring effective planning, training, and drill execution.
• Auditing & Reporting: Perform process and performance safety audits and prepare reports on leading and lagging safety indicators for management review and continuous improvement.
• Other:
• Work closely with Contractors, E&C, operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to ensure CSU / HSSE considerations are aligned with all stakeholders.
• Will strive for continuous improvement to ensure Zero Accidents over the life of the Project, while supporting safety performance that is inclusive of the Clients vision and strategic plans.
• Will support the CSU / HSSE corporate function to ensure necessary processes are developed and implemented to support the Construction / CSU phase as well as post-handover Commercial Operations.
• Establish commissioning procedures, checklists, and quality standards aligned with project specifications and applicable codes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelors degree in engineering, Safety & Health or other related technical/science field, or equivalent work experience.
• 5+years of safety-related experience in large capital projects within construction, oil & gas, or industrial environments
• Comprehensive understanding of pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, and initial operations processes
• TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) required for facility access.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential for interfacing with diverse teams and regulatory agencies.
• Possess superior verbal, written, interpersonal, public speaking, facilitation, and presentation communication skills when interacting with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office. Detail orientated and able to quickly review documentation for accuracy and relevance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+years of safety-related experience in construction, oil & gas, or industrial environments
• 5+ years of safety-related experience in LNG or natural gas facilities
• HSE-related certifications, such as CSP, ASP, CHST, CHMM, etc.
• In depth understanding of the Risk Assessment Processes & PSM Principles
• Experience in LNG-specific hazards, cryogenic risks, and emergency response planning.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements (FERC, PHMSA, USCG, OSHA, API, ISO 31000, NFPA 59A, and LNG-specific regulations).
• Bilingual (English / Spanish).
• Prior experience with Bechtel startup processes and procedures.

Job Site Work Environment Must be able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions. Operates in a complex construction environment. Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions. Not necessarily protected from weather and temperature changes. Possible exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions. Exposure to moving mechanical parts and electrical circuits. Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds of a pitch level sufficient to cause marked distraction. Routinely uses standard office and field communications equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers w/scanner and fax, and radios.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with ADA-recognized disabilities to perform the essential functions for the job. Ability to drive to other Company work locations as required. Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility, including being physically capable of traveling to a designed muster point during emergency situations. Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift. The incumbent is required to have fully mechanical motion and usage of all extremities. Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle, and lift items weighing up to 20 lbs. without assistance. Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to clearly communicate with others via radio, phone, and verbal methods. May be required to enter confined spaces. May be required to work at elevated heights and access elevated structures without assistance.
If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruiting@next-decade.com.
Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. *In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. NEXTDECADE VALUES Safety We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us. Integrity We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do. Honesty We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions. Respect We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work. Transparency Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders. Diversity We value diversity of experiences and thoughts. It takes people with different strengths and backgrounds to make our company succeed.
NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.