Advanced Process Control Engineer

Marathon Petroleum Corporation•Carson, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Marathon Los Angeles Refinery is seeking an Advanced Process Control (APC) Engineer to serve as a technical leader for multivariable predictive control and optimization applications across multiple refining units. The role is accountable for the full APC lifecycle, from identifying opportunities and establishing their economic justification through design, commissioning, sustainment, and long-term value realization. The APC Engineer works closely with Operations, Planning, Economics, and Control Systems to align control strategies with refinery business objectives, operational constraints, and safety requirements. The position calls for deep process knowledge, strong analytical capability, and the ability to mentor engineers while driving continuous improvement in APC performance. The role is onsite in Carson, California. Available schedules are 9/80, 5/40, or 4/1. Occasional after-hours calls and turnaround support may be required. The position requires 10% travel for training and seminars, and may require extended hours, nights, weekends, and on-call emergency response. Relocation may be available. The actual position title and pay grade will depend on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.
At least 10 years of total engineering experience within refining, petrochemical, or related industries, including at least 4 years in advanced process control engineering.
Proven experience leading APC applications from concept through sustained operation, including economic justification and benefit tracking.
Ability to wear appropriate refinery PPE, including a respirator, physically perform field tasks, and complete a hair drug test and physical.
Ability to access refinery areas requiring stairs and/or ladders to inspect equipment.
Valid driver’s license; MPC determines valid status.
Legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for future visa sponsorship.
Ability to travel 10% for training and seminars.
Ability to work extended hours on occasion, including nights and weekends, in a process operations environment and during inclement weather.
Ability to maintain on-call status and respond to emergencies during off-hours as necessary.
Ability to work onsite in one of the available schedules: 9/80, 5/40, or 4/1; occasional after-hours calls and turnaround support may be required.

Nice To Haves

Ten or more years of Process Control experience, with demonstrated responsibility for APC design, commissioning, and sustainment.
Fifteen or more total years of experience within Controls, Economic & Planning, or Process Engineering.
Ability to build and develop advanced multivariable process-control models from inception through commissioning.
Ability to manage APC-related intermediate tags and troubleshoot communications or APC-related tuning within Honeywell Experion and TPS/TDC systems.
Relocation may be available.

Responsibilities

Lead development, commissioning, and long-term sustainment of multivariable predictive control (MPC/APC) applications to optimize unit performance, stability, and profitability.
Own the end-to-end APC project lifecycle, including opportunity identification and prioritization, economic benefit estimation, controller design, model development, commissioning, validation, post-implementation audits, and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with Operations, Planning, and Economics to align APC strategies with refinery objectives, constraints, and LP signals, translating economic intent into control objectives.
Use cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to prioritize APC work and focus engineering effort on high-value opportunities.
Track, report, and communicate APC performance metrics, KPIs, and realized economic benefits, maintaining accountability for sustained results.
Conduct advanced process data analysis and dynamic modeling to identify control-performance gaps, root causes, and optimization opportunities.
Develop and maintain dynamic process models, inferential sensors, and lab-bias-corrected estimators to support APC and optimization objectives.
Design and maintain cross-unit and plantwide optimization strategies, including coordination of multiple APC controllers.
Provide technical leadership during APC commissioning, unit startups, shutdowns, turnarounds, and system migrations, ensuring APC readiness and robustness.
Develop, maintain, and audit APC and control-system documentation, including control narratives, design basis documents, MV/CV/DV definitions, system architecture diagrams, and technical reports.
Partner with Control Systems, OT, and vendors on APC platform upgrades, migrations, and cybersecurity-aligned system changes.
Mentor and guide APC and Process Control engineers, promoting best practices in controller design, testing, documentation, and sustainment.
Provide training and technical guidance to Operations, Engineering, and Technical Services on APC functionality, limitations, and economic intent.
Stay current with industry trends and emerging APC and optimization technologies, applying lessons learned to drive continuous improvement and measurable business value.