Lead Optimization Modeling Specialist

Marathon Petroleum Corporation•Texas City, TX

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Operations Research (OR) group within the Refining organization enhances and supports the planning, optimization, simulation, scheduling and blending software applications used by the refineries, commercial and other organizations within the Company - not only to run and optimize the day-to-day business, but also to develop the Company's long-term asset investment strategy. This successful candidate is responsible for developing and supporting tools to optimize the refineries and value / supply chain. The primary focus is the economic optimization tools (PIMS) for the refineries but can also include secondary distribution networks outside of the refinery fence line. Opportunities will also exist for consulting with other business units within MPC to aid in the development of solutions to drive profitability. Internal/External candidates can be located in Findlay, San Antonio or any refinery location. Travel for this position is less than 10%. This position belongs to a family of jobs with increasing responsibility, competency and skill level. Actual position title and pay grade will be based on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required.
Eight (8) years or more of refinery experience including a minimum of two (2) years or more of Process Unit / Technical Service Engineering experience is required.
Proficiency with PIMS and Excel required.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time indefinite basis without the need for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Engineering Degree preferred.
Two years of optimization experience utilizing PIMS is preferred.
Proficiency with PI strongly preferred.
Experience with VBA and/or KBC Petro-SIM would be helpful.
Higher consideration will be given to candidates with experience in modifying PIMS sub-model structures.
Higher consideration will be given to candidates with PPIMS, MPIMS, and/or XPIMS, and PSCP (DPO) experience.
Higher consideration will be given to candidates with Aspen Unified Planning (AUP) experience.

Responsibilities

Supports refinery planning models including single-refinery (PIMS), multi-period (PPIMS), and may assist with multi-refinery models (MPIMS, XPIMS).
Maintains and troubleshoots LP models for assigned refinery(ies), providing user assistance and informal training as needed.
Collaborates with the planning team to identify, test, and implement model improvements driven by operational changes, projects, or regulatory updates.
Monitors LP Benchmarking by comparing daily LP predictions to actual unit performance (UPM); reviews results with planners to enhance model accuracy.
Assists with LP backcasts to compare predicted vs. actual yield accounting data; supports analysis and recommendations for model refinement.
Works with refinery engineers to gather and validate data; coordinates with simulation and kinetics teams to update submodels and integrate changes.
Updates crude assays in planning models per latest guidance; investigates crude value shifts resulting from assay changes.
May support migration of PIMS models to Aspen Unified Planning (AUP), including testing, user support, and vendor feedback.