Safety Engineer - Yacht Manufacturing / Shipyard

Role Overview

Safety Engineer position at Sunreef Yachts, a luxury yacht manufacturing and shipyard operation. The role supports Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) activities across all phases of yacht production, from construction through commissioning.

Role Purpose

To implement and monitor workplace safety standards across yacht construction, assembly, outfitting, testing and commissioning activities. The Safety Engineer ensures compliance with HSE regulations, manages high-risk work permits, conducts inspections and investigations, and fosters a strong safety culture throughout the shipyard.

Key Responsibilities

Shipyard & Yacht Production Safety

• Monitor HSE compliance across yacht construction, production, assembly and outfitting areas.
• Conduct routine safety inspections of workshops, production halls, vessels, docks and other shipyard work areas.
• Identify unsafe conditions, unsafe acts and potential hazards and ensure timely corrective actions.
• Provide HSE support during hull construction, structural assembly, machinery installation, interior outfitting, testing and commissioning.
• Ensure safe working practices are followed by employees, contractors and subcontractors.

Permit-to-Work & High-Risk Activities

• Manage and monitor Permit-to-Work (PTW) requirements for hot work, welding, cutting and grinding.
• Manage and monitor Permit-to-Work (PTW) requirements for confined-space entry.
• Manage and monitor Permit-to-Work (PTW) requirements for work at height and scaffolding.
• Manage and monitor Permit-to-Work (PTW) requirements for lifting and rigging operations.
• Manage and monitor Permit-to-Work (PTW) requirements for electrical isolation and Lockout-Tagout (LOTO).
• Manage and monitor Permit-to-Work (PTW) requirements for painting and chemical handling.
• Manage and monitor Permit-to-Work (PTW) requirements for pressure testing and commissioning activities.
• Verify that appropriate risk assessments, control measures, PPE and emergency arrangements are in place before high-risk activities begin.

FRP, Composite & Chemical Safety

• Monitor safety during FRP lamination, resin mixing, bonding, sanding, grinding and composite fabrication.
• Ensure safe storage, handling and disposal of resins, catalysts, solvents, paints, adhesives and other hazardous chemicals.
• Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and ensure appropriate chemical-control measures.
• Monitor ventilation and PPE requirements in composite, painting and enclosed production areas.
• Support controls for dust, fumes, VOCs and other occupational exposure risks.

Risk Assessment & HSE Compliance

• Prepare and review Risk Assessments, Job Safety Analyses (JSA/JHA) and Method Statements.
• Conduct workplace hazard identification and risk assessments.
• Ensure compliance with applicable UAE HSE regulations, fire and civil defence requirements, company HSE procedures and relevant maritime/shipyard safety standards.
• Maintain HSE documentation, inspection records, permits and compliance reports.
• Support internal and external HSE audits.

Incident Investigation & Corrective Actions

• Investigate accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and recommend preventive and corrective actions.
• Track corrective actions through closure.
• Prepare incident investigation reports and safety statistics.
• Identify recurring safety trends and recommend improvements to management.

Lifting, Machinery & Equipment Safety

• Monitor lifting operations involving cranes, forklifts, mobile equipment, chain blocks and other lifting devices.
• Verify lifting plans, equipment certification and competency of operators and rigging personnel where required.
• Inspect machine guarding and safe use of production machinery and power tools.
• Monitor safe movement of large yacht components, machinery and structural sections within production areas.

Fire & Emergency Safety

• Conduct fire-prevention inspections throughout production and vessel areas.
• Ensure availability and accessibility of firefighting and emergency equipment.
• Support emergency-response plans and evacuation procedures.
• Participate in fire, evacuation, confined-space rescue and other emergency drills.
• Ensure escape routes and emergency exits remain unobstructed.

Safety Training & Culture

• Conduct HSE inductions for employees, contractors and visitors.
• Deliver toolbox talks and safety awareness sessions.
• Coach supervisors and production personnel on safe working practices.
• Promote reporting of hazards, near misses and unsafe conditions.
• Support initiatives to strengthen the overall safety culture within the shipyard.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Safety Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• NEBOSH IGC, IOSH, OSHA or equivalent recognized HSE certification (preferred).
• Typically 3–5+ years of HSE/Safety experience, preferably within yacht building, shipbuilding, ship repair, marine construction or a comparable heavy manufacturing environment.
• Practical experience with Permit-to-Work systems, risk assessments, incident investigations and site inspections.
• Experience supervising high-risk activities such as hot work, confined-space entry, work at height and lifting operations.
• Direct experience in luxury yacht or superyacht manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in shipbuilding or ship repair yards strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in marine fabrication and construction strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in FRP/composite manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in yacht outfitting and commissioning strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in marine engineering or offshore fabrication strongly preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Practical knowledge of shipyard hazards including hot work, confined-space entry, work at height, lifting operations, FRP/composite production, painting and chemical handling, electrical work and heavy equipment operations.
• Knowledge of UAE HSE regulations, fire and civil defence requirements and maritime/shipyard safety standards.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and sustainable projects.
• Supportive and growth-oriented work environment.
• Exposure to international standards and advanced technologies.