Senior OTS Trainer (Operator Training Simulator)

Senior OTS Trainer (Operator Training Simulator)

About the Role

This position supports a world-scale natural gas liquefaction project in Mozambique, preparing for the start-up and ramp-up of a two-train onshore LNG plant. The Senior OTS Trainer will develop, manage, and deliver the Panel Operator training programme and act as custodian of the Operator Training Simulator (OTS). The role is hands-on and central to qualifying both experienced LNG Panel Operators and Mozambican national trainees ahead of first gas.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Panel Operator training programme, including OTS exercises for start-up, shutdown, troubleshooting, and emergencies across all plant units (Utilities, Upstream/Inlet facilities, MEG, LNG Trains, Storage & Loading).
• Support Panel Operator and Field Operator Competency and Qualification programmes; lead competency and panel operator qualification assessments.
• Ensure experienced Panel Operators are qualified for their areas and drive the development of national trainees to full qualification.
• Define training methods, standards, and objectives; prepare and disseminate training materials; maintain training records and reports.
• Contribute to Operations training policies, plans, and programmes in line with Mozambican regulatory requirements; deliver toolbox talks and topic training sessions.

• Act as custodian of the OTS: ensure it is maintained, available, and aligned with the plant ICSS configuration.
• Witness OTS acceptance tests (MAT, FAT, SAT) and attend vendor training sessions.
• Keep the Operator Training Manual up to date and coordinate vendor support as required.
• Ensure routine OTS system maintenance is performed (system and server health checks, updates and patches, virus scanning, licence management).

• Assess plant operating procedures and propose revisions until full validation.
• Interface with Process Engineering and DCS/ICSS engineers to develop and test process and control opportunities on the simulator.
• Stay current with training and development best practices and propose programme improvements.

• Adhere to and promote HSE policies and a strong safety culture; ensure team and vendor compliance; support the Environmental Management System.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Applied Science or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent international standard with solid experience).

• Minimum 15 years of production experience in the oil, gas, or petrochemical industry.
• Minimum 5 years as Panel Operator in an LNG production (liquefaction) plant - LNG terminal experience alone is not sufficient.
• Previous hands-on experience using an Operator Training Simulator.

• Excellent knowledge of DCS panel operations and safety shutdown systems.
• Excellent knowledge of natural gas treatment, LNG liquefaction, Storage & Loading, and Utilities operations.
• Strong ability to troubleshoot process problems and upsets; solid experience in handling plant emergencies.
• Good knowledge of HSE and Environmental Management systems; proficient with Windows office applications.

• Strong leadership, planning, and organisational skills; able to manage several programmes in parallel to deadlines.
• Effective communicator at all levels, comfortable working with culturally diverse technical teams and external stakeholders.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; Portuguese language skills are an asset.

Detailed Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Applied Science (or equivalent recognised qualification backed by solid experience).
• 15+ years production experience (oil, gas, petrochemical) - preference for candidates who have followed a facility from commissioning through steady-state.
• 5+ years as Panel Operator in an LNG liquefaction plant - control-room experience on baseload LNG trains (not import/regasification terminals). Familiarity with mixed-refrigerant/MCHE-based liquefaction processes.
• Operator Training Simulator expertise - proven hands-on use of an OTS: building and running exercises, instructor station, model configuration, and ideally OTS project delivery (MAT/FAT/SAT, vendor interface, model updates vs. ICSS revisions).
• DCS / ICSS proficiency - excellent knowledge of DCS panel operations and ICSS architecture (control, ESD, F&G integration). Experience on Schneider Electric (Foxboro / EcoStruxure) platforms is a strong plus.
• Safety shutdown systems and emergency response - excellent knowledge of ESD/PSD hierarchies, cause & effect matrices, safety instrumented functions and Fire & Gas response; demonstrated experience managing plant emergencies from the control room.
• Full-chain process knowledge - solid understanding of upstream/inlet facilities and slug handling, MEG regeneration, gas treatment (AGRU, dehydration, mercury removal), fractionation, liquefaction, LNG storage & loading and plant utilities.
• Operating procedures development and validation - experience writing, reviewing and validating start-up, normal shutdown, cooldown and emergency shutdown procedures, including simulator-based validation before plant start-up.
• Training design and competency assessment - ability to build competency-based training programmes, define assessment standards and lead panel operator qualification assessments; experience developing national trainees to full qualification.
• Leadership and cross-cultural communication - proven ability to lead a small team of instructors/operators, coordinate vendors and communicate with management, engineers and authorities; fluent English, Portuguese an asset.