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Refinery Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

United States Army

Refinery Inspection Engineer

Noble, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Terminal Operator, Compliance Specialist, Refinery Inspection Engineer. About Our Organization: The U.S. Army is wealth of possibilities for your future - whether you are looking to build a ...

United States Army

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Terminal Operator, Compliance Specialist, Refinery Inspection Engineer. About Our Organization: The U.S. Army is wealth of possibilities for your future - whether you are looking to build a ...

United States Army

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Terminal Operator, Compliance Specialist, Refinery Inspection Engineer. About Our Organization: The U.S. Army is wealth of possibilities for your future - whether you are looking to build a ...

United States Army

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Terminal Operator, Compliance Specialist, Refinery Inspection Engineer. About Our Organization: The U.S. Army is wealth of possibilities for your future - whether you are looking to build a ...

United States Army

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Terminal Operator, Compliance Specialist, Refinery Inspection Engineer. About Our Organization: The U.S. Army is wealth of possibilities for your future - whether you are looking to build a ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsRefinery Engineer JobsRefinery Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Refinery Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$57.7K

$108.2K

$196.7K

How much do refinery engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for refinery engineer in Illinois is $108,174.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $128,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a refinery engineer?

Refinery Engineers are professionals who design, operate, and optimize processes in oil refineries to convert crude oil into usable products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. They are responsible for ensuring the efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance of refinery operations. Their duties often include troubleshooting equipment, improving process performance, and implementing new technologies to maximize output and minimize waste. Refinery Engineers typically have a background in chemical or process engineering and work closely with other engineers, operators, and maintenance personnel.

What is the difference between Refinery Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectRefinery EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Petroleum Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering; PE license optional
Work EnvironmentRefineries, petrochemical plants, industrial facilitiesManufacturing plants, chemical processing facilities, industrial settings
Industry UsagePrimarily in oil refining and petrochemical industriesBroader across manufacturing, chemical, and process industries

Refinery Engineers focus specifically on oil refining processes, safety, and optimization within refineries, while Process Engineers work across various industries to improve manufacturing processes. Both roles require similar technical skills and credentials but differ mainly in industry focus and work environment.

What does a refinery engineer do?

A refinery engineer designs, develops, and oversees the processes involved in refining crude oil into usable products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. They monitor equipment, optimize operations for safety and efficiency, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations, often using control systems and requiring technical certifications. Their work environment is typically an industrial plant with a focus on process safety and continuous improvement.

What are some typical challenges refinery engineers face when working on process optimization projects?

Refinery Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing process efficiency with safety and environmental regulations, integrating new technologies with legacy systems, and troubleshooting complex process issues. Coordinating with multidisciplinary teams—like operations, maintenance, and environmental compliance—is essential to ensure changes are practical and sustainable. Adaptability and strong communication skills are key, as process optimization projects can involve shifting priorities and tight deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a refinery engineer?

To thrive as a Refinery Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical or mechanical engineering, process optimization, and safety standards, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen HYSYS), industry regulations, and certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are commonly expected. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills set outstanding engineers apart in managing complex operations. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective refinery performance in a highly regulated industry.

What are popular job titles related to Refinery Engineer jobs in Illinois?

For Refinery Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Refinery Engineer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Refinery Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

Refinery Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Refinery Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,174 per year, or $52 per hour.

Project E&I Engineer - Refinery

Sterling Engineering Inc.

Downers Grove, IL • On-site

$50 - $75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Title: Project E&I Engineer - Refinery
Location: Lemont, IL
Hire Type: Long Term Open-Ended Contract (Multi-Year, No End Date)
Pay Rate: $50-75 per hour
Compensation & Benefits
As a contract employee of Sterling Engineering, you'll receive a full, competitive benefits package, including:
  • Three Medical Plan Options
  • Dental & Vision Coverage
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
Sterling Engineering is seeking a Project E&I Engineer to support capital improvement projects at a large, highly automated industrial manufacturing and refining facility. You'll gain hands-on experience leading technically challenging projects in a safety-driven, fast-paced environment with significant opportunities to expand your project management and refinery engineering expertise.

Key Responsibilities
  • Manage assigned electrical and instrumentation capital projects from scope development through commissioning and startup
  • Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, and execution plans
  • Monitor project budgets, cash flow forecasts, schedules, and overall project performance
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Process Engineering, Reliability, Construction, and Maintenance
  • Manage engineering contractors, material procurement, and project documentation throughout the project lifecycle
  • Review engineering designs to ensure quality, constructability, safety, and regulatory compliance
  • Lead project change management activities, including Management of Change (MOC) documentation
  • Facilitate Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs) to support safe equipment commissioning and startup
  • Provide technical support during construction, installation, startup, and project closeout
  • Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and meet operational objectives
Qualifications
  • Must have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university
  • Must have at least 2 years of Electrical & Instrumentation engineering experience in a refining or chemical processing environment
  • Experience supporting capital projects in refining, chemical processing, power generation, or other heavy industrial environments
  • Needs a strong working knowledge of instrumentation engineering standards and best practices
  • Experience managing project scope, budgets, schedules, and contractor activities
  • Familiarity with Management of Change (MOC) processes and industrial safety practices
Why You'll Love This Opportunity
  • Work on impactful capital projects supporting one of the nation's critical industrial facilities
  • Gain experience managing projects from concept through startup and commissioning
  • Collaborate with experienced multidisciplinary engineering and operations teams
  • Build expertise in project management, refinery systems, and industrial process engineering
  • Diverse project work that offers technical challenges and professional growth
  • Safety-focused culture with established engineering processes and best practices
  • Excellent opportunity to expand your experience in large-scale industrial project execution
#INC1

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.