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Refinery Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

H5 Data Centers

Data Center Mechanical Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$140K - $150K/yr

Acts as an Engineering resource for the complete H5 portfolio of mission critical facilities. Plans ... Ability to refine mechanical system designs for availability, quality control, constructability ...

HGA

Mechanical Engineer

Shreveport, LA · On-site

HGA is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join our Shreveport, Louisiana office, supporting ... refining, and oil & gas markets. This position is intended for a junior to mid-level engineer who ...

H5 Data Centers

Data Center Mechanical Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$140K - $150K/yr

Acts as an Engineering resource for the complete H5 portfolio of mission critical facilities. Plans ... Ability to refine mechanical system designs for availability, quality control, constructability ...

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Refinery Mechanical Engineer information

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$45.5K

$102.9K

$166.5K

How much do refinery mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for refinery mechanical engineer in the United States is $102,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $126,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can a mechanical engineer work in a refinery?

Yes, a mechanical engineer can work in a refinery, where they are involved in designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment such as pumps, turbines, and pressure vessels. They often need knowledge of process safety, codes, and standards, and may require certifications like API or ASME. Mechanical engineers play a key role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of refinery systems.

What are some common challenges Refinery Mechanical Engineers face when working on maintenance projects?

Refinery Mechanical Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating maintenance activities within tight production schedules and ensuring equipment reliability in a demanding environment. They must balance safety protocols with cost and time constraints, often working closely with operations, safety, and maintenance teams to minimize downtime. Unexpected equipment failures or the need for rapid troubleshooting can also require quick decision-making and adaptability. Effective communication and collaboration are essential to successfully managing these challenges and ensuring safe, efficient refinery operations.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Senior roles requiring advanced skills, certifications, and leadership responsibilities tend to have the highest compensation levels.

What does a Refinery Mechanical Engineer do?

A Refinery Mechanical Engineer is responsible for designing, maintaining, and improving mechanical equipment and systems within a refinery. They oversee the installation, operation, and troubleshooting of machinery such as pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, and piping systems. Their work ensures that refinery processes run safely, efficiently, and in compliance with environmental and safety standards. Additionally, they often collaborate with other engineering disciplines to optimize plant performance and implement upgrades or repairs. This role is critical in minimizing downtime and maintaining the reliability of the refinery's operations.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles. High-paying engineering positions often require advanced skills, management responsibilities, or work in high-demand industries.

What is the difference between Refinery Mechanical Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectRefinery Mechanical EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, PE license often preferredBachelor's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering, often with PE or PE-like certification
Work EnvironmentRefineries, maintenance, equipment design, troubleshootingProcess plants, optimization, process design, safety analysis
Industry UsageHeavy industry, oil & gas refineries, manufacturingOil & gas, chemical processing, refining

Refinery Mechanical Engineers focus on equipment, maintenance, and mechanical systems within refineries, while Process Engineers concentrate on optimizing chemical processes and flow. Both roles require engineering degrees and are vital in refinery operations, but they emphasize different technical areas.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Refinery Mechanical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Refinery Mechanical Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical engineering principles, equipment design, and process optimization, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, SAP, and reliability-centered maintenance systems, as well as certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, are often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address complex operational challenges. These skills and qualifications are vital for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable refinery operations while minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Can I make 200k as a mechanical engineer?

Refinery mechanical engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications can potentially earn salaries around or above $200,000, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or senior roles. However, typical salaries for this role generally range from $80,000 to $150,000, depending on location, industry, and level of expertise.
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Refinery Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Refinery Mechanical Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, 50% Contract, and 25% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,878 per year, or $49.5 per hour.
Data Center Mechanical Engineer

Data Center Mechanical Engineer

H5 Data Centers

Secaucus, NJ • On-site

$140K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description


Position Summary

Commitment to leading a mission critical environment that values continuous improvements. This position manages the installation and maintenance of mechanical systems at Data Centers and operations of specialized cooling systems. Acts as an Engineering resource for the complete H5 portfolio of mission critical facilities. Plans and monitors Building Management Systems and mechanical measurements. Maintains design documentation. Provides full life-cycle support to H5 Data Centers from concept design through site implementation and operations.

This position reports to the Senior Vice President.

Essential Job Functions

  1. Participate in all aspects of mechanical design and engineering including development of basis of design, scope of work, implementation processes and commissioning plans.
  2. Support maintenance of all H5 facilities mechanical systems to ensure 100% system availability.
  3. Lead, review, and approve designs for data center upgrades which improve availability and efficiency, in addition to capacity increases and monitoring.
  4. Update and maintain as-built master records, which includes transferring project drawings over to the master files.
  5. Compare existing piping and HVAC systems against drawings and resolve discrepancies.
  6. Develop and manage processes and programs to ensure the health and efficiency of mechanical systems within the data center.
  7. Develop or review maintenance procedures for all mechanical systems including detailed scripts for annual maintenance and projects.
  8. Support Operational teams in problem resolutions, Root Cause Analysis and design and process reviews.
  9. Provide immediate technical support to operation teams during critical events, on-call.
  10. Administers all aspects of the mechanical service agreements to ensure compliance.
  11. Maintain all HVAC and mechanical drawings and process documentation.
  12. Manage Energy efficiency.
  13. Responsible for increasing efficiencies and maintaining reliability of all mechanical systems.
  14. Estimate time and materials needed to complete repairs and new projects.
  15. Some travel required.

Qualifications

Education:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent experience.
  2. Minimum 7 years in data center mechanical design, commissioning, and critical system support.

Experience:

  1. Experience in Data Center design, construction and commissioning including water cooled chiller plants, complex mechanical distribution systems, raised floor cooling system, automation, and control systems.
  2. Experience reading, interpreting, and creating construction drawings, specifications, and submittal documents.
  3. Project Manager experience is a plus.

Skills and Abilities

  1. Understanding of data center mechanical operations procedures, topologies (N+1, 2N, N+20%, etc.), equipment, piping systems, cooling towers etc.
  2. Effective oral and written communication skills, with top tier analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  3. Ability to refine mechanical system designs for availability, quality control, constructability, and cost efficiency.
  4. Organized, detailed and successful at setting priorities and meeting deadlines and budget.
  5. Understanding of both HVAC and mechanical equipment and system design.
  6. Comprehensive use of AutoCAD, Visio, and Office software packages.