From supporting the safety certification of oil and gas equipment to helping advance emerging hydrogen technologies, Shoma Nakanishi plays a key role in creating a safer world. As a project engineer based in Japan, he works closely with customers to help them meet international safety standards and bring products to global markets with confidence. Over the past eight years, Shoma has combined technical expertise, industry knowledge and strong global partnerships to help grow UL Solutions’ presence in the energy sector, all while contributing to safer operations and the transition to cleaner energy solutions.
How are you helping create a safer world?
I help create a safer world by supporting the safety evaluation and certification of Oil and Gas equipment, Hazardous Location equipment and currently hydrogen related equipment. Since transitioning from my first laboratory testing role to my current position, I have been closely involved in helping customers meet international safety standards and deploy products globally with confidence.
By enabling safe operations in high-risk environments and supporting the growth of emerging technologies like hydrogen, I contribute to both industrial safety and the advancement of cleaner energy solutions.
What aspect of your role gives you a real sense of purpose?
What gives me a strong sense of purpose is seeing how my work directly contributes to both safety and business growth.
When I began working in energy and industrial automation, there was limited expertise in the oil and gas industry within ULS Japan. By proactively building knowledge, engaging with global experts and strengthening connections with the local market, I was able to help grow the business to approximately three times its original size over the past eight years.
Knowing that my efforts have contributed not only to safer operations but also to expanding UL Solutions’ impact is extremely rewarding.
How do the people you work with shape your experience at UL Solutions?
The people I work with play a critical role in shaping my experience. Early in my career transition, I actively built relationships with global colleagues who had deep expertise in the oil and gas industry. Their support and knowledge sharing were essential to my growth.
Collaborating with local customers and stakeholders in Japan has also helped me better understand market trend and needs. This combination of global collaboration and local engagement creates a dynamic and highly rewarding work environment.
What are your future ambitions at UL Solutions?
My current ambition is to continue expanding UL Solutions’ presence in the oil, gas and hydrogen industry, particularly in Japan and across Asia. In the long term, I hope to play a role in advancing safety frameworks for next-generation energy technologies, including hydrogen.
What keeps you here?
What keeps me at UL Solutions is the opportunity to make a tangible impact while continuously growing as a professional. Starting my career in the laboratory and then moving into a business-facing role has allowed me to develop both technical expertise and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
The company’s strong mission, combined with a global and collaborative environment, motivates me to keep challenging myself and contributing to meaningful progress in safety and energy.