Process Engineer

HF Sinclair•El Dorado, KS

17d•Onsite

About The Position

Basic FunctionHF Sinclair in El Dorado, KS is seeking an experienced Process Engineer to work in the Technical Services Department. HF Sinclair is committed to maintaining a high level of technical expertise in the downstream organization to support safe, reliable, and profitable refinery operations. This role provides technical expertise and leadership for assigned process unit(s), with accountability for monitoring and improving unit performance. The position partners closely with Operations and cross-functional teams to troubleshoot complex issues, drive process optimization, and implement sustainable improvements that enhance safety, reliability, and economic value. The Process Engineer is a key contributor to process safety, operational excellence, and value creation through improved yields, energy efficiency, and cost reduction, including leading technical efforts during process upsets, turnarounds, and other critical operating events.Job Duties• Independently monitor and manage unit performance using KPIs, trends, and alarms to ensure safe, reliable, and optimized operation; proactively identify gaps and implement corrective actions.• Provide technical leadership during process upsets, emergencies, and unplanned outages, including diagnostics, risk evaluation, and operating guidance. Schedule may require flexibility to respond to refinery upsets during off hours.• Partner with Business teams (Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Inspection, Projects) to support unit performance, drive technical initiatives, address process challenges, and implement sustainable improvements.• Lead and contribute to process safety programs, including PHAs, LOPAs, MOCs, incident investigations, and PSSRs; ensure timely closure of acti items.• Conduct structured root cause analyses for complex issues and incidents, ensure effective mitigation, and promote incident learning across the refinery.• Drive unit-level process optimization to improve yields, capacity, product quality, and efficiency while maintaining safety and environmental compliance.• Evaluate unit constraints and risks, develop mitigation strategies, and communicate recommendations effectively to leadership.• Identify and support capital and expense projects to improve unit health, long-term reliability, and economic performance through Gate 0 and FEL stages.• Manage catalyst lifecycle, including performance evaluation, technical requirements development, vendor coordination, RFP/DSP participation, selection, changeout support, and optimization opportunities.• Design, develop, and utilize process simulations and engineering tools to evaluate unit performance, validate strategies, and support decision-making.• Provide technical support for refinery turnarounds (TAs), including scope development, pre-TA planning, field execution, and post-TA performance validation; TA execution may involve work at heights and confined space entry.• Collaborate with Central Technical Services and Process Technology Specialists to monitor long-term unit health, benchmark performance, and implement best practices; network with engineers across the fleet to leverage shared expertise.• Serve as a technical resource and mentor to less experienced engineers; promote knowledge sharing with peers and consistent application of best practices.• Influence and improve refinery work processes, monitoring systems, and engineering tools to enhance efficiency, reliability, and decision-making.• Communicate complex technical information clearly to stakeholders and demonstrate strong ownership of assigned unit(s), ensuring alignment with safety, reliability, and profitability objectives.• Perform special assignments or tasks as directed by the supervisor.• Contribute to refinery success through innovation, collaboration, and application of technical expertise.

Requirements

Minimum of two (2) years of progressive process engineering experience, including operational support engineering.
Strong knowledge of refinery processes, process fundamentals, and process safety principles is required.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering is required.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to apply engineering principles to unit performance, optimization, and troubleshooting.
Demonstrated ability to manage projects, develop technical strategies, and implement improvements.
Knowledge of process safety, hazard analysis (PHA, LOPA), and root cause analysis methodologies.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills; ability to present technical information to a wide range of stakeholders.
Proficiency with spreadsheets, word processing, and engineering software; ability to train others in technical and operational practices.
Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams within the refinery.
Strong organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills.
Job conditions require standing, walking, sitting, talking or hearing, making visual inspections, lifting or carrying up to 50 lbs, climbing up to 200 ft, perceiving color differences, required to wear personal protective equipment as needed and a respirator in emergency situations (beards are not permitted), ability to operate and drive all assigned company vehicles at company standard insurance rates is essential, valid State driver's license and proof of insurance required. Job conditions may require making precise hand and finger movements, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching or grasping, and working in confined spaces as permitted.

Nice To Haves

Refinery or Petrochemical industry experience preferred. Unit engineering experience (Crude, FCC, Delayed Coker, SMR, Alky, Sulfur Unit, Reforming and Hydrotreating) preferred.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience with process simulation and engineering tools (HYSYS, AspenPlus, ProMax, HTRI, etc.).
May supervise contractors or provide guidance to junior engineers, depending on assignment.

Responsibilities

Independently monitor and manage unit performance using KPIs, trends, and alarms to ensure safe, reliable, and optimized operation; proactively identify gaps and implement corrective actions.
Provide technical leadership during process upsets, emergencies, and unplanned outages, including diagnostics, risk evaluation, and operating guidance. Schedule may require flexibility to respond to refinery upsets during off hours.
Partner with Business teams (Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Inspection, Projects) to support unit performance, drive technical initiatives, address process challenges, and implement sustainable improvements.
Lead and contribute to process safety programs, including PHAs, LOPAs, MOCs, incident investigations, and PSSRs; ensure timely closure of acti items.
Conduct structured root cause analyses for complex issues and incidents, ensure effective mitigation, and promote incident learning across the refinery.
Drive unit-level process optimization to improve yields, capacity, product quality, and efficiency while maintaining safety and environmental compliance.
Evaluate unit constraints and risks, develop mitigation strategies, and communicate recommendations effectively to leadership.
Identify and support capital and expense projects to improve unit health, long-term reliability, and economic performance through Gate 0 and FEL stages.
Manage catalyst lifecycle, including performance evaluation, technical requirements development, vendor coordination, RFP/DSP participation, selection, changeout support, and optimization opportunities.
Design, develop, and utilize process simulations and engineering tools to evaluate unit performance, validate strategies, and support decision-making.
Provide technical support for refinery turnarounds (TAs), including scope development, pre-TA planning, field execution, and post-TA performance validation; TA execution may involve work at heights and confined space entry.
Collaborate with Central Technical Services and Process Technology Specialists to monitor long-term unit health, benchmark performance, and implement best practices; network with engineers across the fleet to leverage shared expertise.
Serve as a technical resource and mentor to less experienced engineers; promote knowledge sharing with peers and consistent application of best practices.
Influence and improve refinery work processes, monitoring systems, and engineering tools to enhance efficiency, reliability, and decision-making.
Communicate complex technical information clearly to stakeholders and demonstrate strong ownership of assigned unit(s), ensuring alignment with safety, reliability, and profitability objectives.
Perform special assignments or tasks as directed by the supervisor.
Contribute to refinery success through innovation, collaboration, and application of technical expertise.