Fuels Chemist

Chevron•Richmond, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Chevron is one of the world's leading energy companies, with approximately 40,000 employees working in countries around the world. We explore, produce, and transport crude oil and natural gas; refine, market, and distribute fuels and other energy products; manufacture and sell petrochemical products; generate power; and develop future energy resources. Fuels Technology is comprised of chemists, engineers, and technical specialists responsible for providing fuels and fuel additives technical subject matter expertise. This includes technical service, consultation, and participating in product research and development for fuels derived from both conventional and renewable/alternative feedstocks. We work in partnership with stakeholders in Downstream, Midstream, and Chemicals as well as with Innovation colleagues from Technology, Projects, and Execution. This position reports to the Fuels Technology Technical Team Lead and is located at Chevron's Richmond Technology Center.

Requirements

A Ph.D. in chemistry; or a Master’s degree in chemistry or chemical engineering plus experience in a technical role exposed to refinery process chemistry, fuels chemistry knowledge, or advanced analytical instrumentation.
An in-depth understanding of a wide range of chemical and physical principles, with an extensive knowledge or demonstrated ability to rapidly learn salient concepts in various chemical disciplines.
An aptitude for - and interest in - learning and applying digital tools and technology.
Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to be comfortable with uncertainty.
Understanding of advanced analytical techniques such as GCxGC, GC-FID, GC-MS, LC-MS, NMR, infrared spectroscopy, and the ability to make informed interpretation of analytical results.
Demonstrated teamwork and relationship-building skills that illustrate a passion for productive collaboration, since strong and effective collaboration both within the team and across team and internal organizational boundaries is vital.
Excellent oral and written communication skills are required due to the frequent interactions with stakeholders and others.
A commitment to Chevron Way behaviors, We Lead expectations, and Operational Excellence - resulting in the demonstrated ability to deliver results the right way.

Nice To Haves

A Ph.D. in Physical, Analytical, or Organic Chemistry.
Extensive experience with advanced analytical instrumentation, such GC-FID, GC-MS, GCxGC, LC-MS, NMR, and infrared spectrometry, and the ability to make informed interpretation of analytical results.
Knowledge and skills in the area of test design methods and data analysis.
Demonstrated project management and execution skills, including the ability to proactively manage and move multiple projects forward autonomously and independently, with excellent project planning, organizational, and multitasking skills.
Relevant fuel, additive, and/or refinery process chemistry expertise and knowledge.
Knowledge of fuels specifications and regulations.
Knowledge of emerging fuels technology, particularly renewable and alternative fuels.
Experience with the Microsoft Power Platform suite, including Power BI, Power Apps, and Power Automate.

Responsibilities

Provide molecular-level subject matter expertise for one or more Chevron fuels, primarily motor gasoline, aviation fuels, and diesel.
Provide in-depth chemistry, performance, and analytical expertise to ensure these fuels meet Chevron quality and performance specifications as well as established industry standards throughout the distribution system.
Resolve concerns regarding product quality, product integrity, or product performance of Chevron fuels through accumulated knowledge and expertise, with the ability, when necessary, to design and execute complex analytical and laboratory test programs to provide a molecular-level diagnosis.
Provide product quality technical consultation to Manufacturing Operations at all Chevron refineries (for conventional blend streams and finished products) and Specialty Operations (for renewable and biodiesel production as well as additives manufacturing, blending, and packaging facilities).
Provide product integrity technical consultation (ensuring product quality is maintained) once a fuel is certified and released into the distribution system.
Characterize the products of new processes being developed to produce lower carbon intensity blendstocks.
Help optimize the process and qualify the resulting blendstream for inclusion in our finished fuels.
Participate in ongoing retail competitive surveillance activities to assess and validate Chevron’s unbeatable positioning.
Provide guidance for engine testing to evaluate performance and no harm of various commercial and experimental fuel additives and fuel blends.
Work closely with Fuels Engineers in instances when the full range of Fuels Technology expertise is needed.
Develop, improve, and maintain advanced internal analytical capabilities and methodologies critical to the effectiveness of Fuels Technology.
Interpret the results of state-of-the-art analytical tools such as GCxGC-FID/TOF, GC-FID, GC-VUV, GC-MS, LC-TOF, infrared spectroscopy, and benchtop NMR when applied to fuel and fuel additive analysis.
Develop, enhance, and maintain digital tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the team.
Access available data from across the company as necessary and create visualizations to enhance understanding and address questions having business and commercial value.
Monitor the competitive and intellectual property landscape in the area of fuels.
May participate in technical societies such as ASTM, etc., in order to advance Chevron interests in finished fuels and related areas of commercial value.
Considerable cross-training is expected over time (i.e., across fuel oil, diesel, jet, aviation gasoline, motor gasoline, and LPG).
Adapt to frequently changing priorities to meet the varying needs of the organizations we partner with.
Provide day-to-day work direction to supporting personnel.
Rigorously uphold laboratory safety and compliance policies.