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Refinery Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

HF Sinclair

Refinery Planning Optimizer

El Dorado, KS · On-site

Interacts with Operations, Process Engineering, Commercial, and Turnaround teams regularly to discuss optimization opportunities. * Issues the day-to-day instructions to the refinery team and is a ...

Clean Harbors

Operations Manager II - Refinery

Dover, NH · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Responsible for overseeing the operations of used oil re-refining process including associated tank farms and utilities functions. Main point of contact between shipping/receiving, maintenance and ...

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Baker Hughes

Refinery Account Manager

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site +1

$88K - $164K/yr

Do you enjoy providing a vital service that supports successful refinery operations? Join Our Downstream Chemical Team Our Downstream Chemical Team leverages advanced chemistry, digital tools, and ...

Baker Hughes

Refinery Account Manager

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site +1

$88K - $164K/yr

Do you enjoy providing a vital service that supports successful refinery operations? Join Our Downstream Chemical Team Our Downstream Chemical Team leverages advanced chemistry, digital tools, and ...

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How much do refinery operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for refinery operations in the United States is $24.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do operators do in a refinery?

Refinery operators monitor and control equipment used in the processing of crude oil into products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. They interpret data from gauges and control panels, perform routine maintenance, and ensure safety protocols are followed to maintain efficient and safe operations.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

Refinery operations roles typically do not pay $10,000 a month without specialized experience or certifications. High-paying jobs in the oil and gas industry, such as senior engineers or plant managers, often require relevant technical training or industry experience rather than a traditional degree. Skilled trades like pipeline welding or offshore drilling can also offer high earnings with vocational training and certifications.

What are some common challenges faced in refinery operations and how are they typically addressed?

One common challenge in refinery operations is managing the complexity of processes while maintaining strict safety and environmental standards. Operators must constantly monitor equipment and adjust parameters to optimize production, often responding quickly to changing conditions. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as operators frequently collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and safety teams to troubleshoot issues. Regular training and adherence to established protocols help mitigate risks and ensure smooth operations.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In refinery operations, high-paying roles such as refinery managers, plant directors, or chief engineers can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. These positions often require strong technical skills, industry knowledge, and management expertise, and may include bonuses or profit-sharing components.

What is the difference between Refinery Operations vs Refinery Maintenance Technician?

AspectRefinery OperationsRefinery Maintenance Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications often preferredHigh school diploma; technical certifications or vocational training
Work EnvironmentControl rooms, plant floors, and process areasMaintenance workshops, plant floors, and equipment areas
Employer & Industry UsageRefineries, petrochemical plants, energy companiesRefineries, petrochemical plants, industrial facilities

Refinery Operations focus on managing and controlling the refining process, ensuring safety and efficiency, while Refinery Maintenance Technicians handle equipment repairs and upkeep. Both roles are essential in the refinery industry and often work closely together to maintain smooth plant operations.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Refinery operations jobs typically do not pay $2,000 a day; high-paying roles in the industry, such as senior engineers or plant managers, may earn this level of daily compensation, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and certifications. These roles often require advanced technical knowledge, safety training, and leadership responsibilities within the refinery environment.

What are refinery operations?

Refinery operations involve the processes and activities required to convert crude oil into usable products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petrochemicals. This includes tasks like distillation, cracking, blending, and treating to remove impurities and produce high-quality fuels and chemicals. Operators monitor and control equipment, ensure safety and environmental compliance, and perform routine maintenance to keep the refinery running efficiently. The goal of refinery operations is to maximize output while minimizing costs and environmental impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Refinery Operations, and why are they important?

To thrive in Refinery Operations, you need a solid understanding of chemical processes, mechanical systems, and safety protocols, often supported by a degree in engineering or relevant technical certifications. Familiarity with process control systems, distributed control systems (DCS), and safety management tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding operators apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant refinery operations in a highly regulated and complex environment.
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Refinery Operations jobs near you
Refinery Planning Optimizer

Refinery Planning Optimizer

HF Sinclair

El Dorado, KS

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

HF Sinclair rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 74 rated oil and gas companies

Job description

Basic Function

HF Sinclair is seeking a Refinery Planning Optimizer based in El Dorado, KS. In this role, you will conduct complex oil flow planning, scheduling, optimization, economic analysis, and transportation assignments related to the El Dorado refinery operation under minimal supervision.

Job Duties
  • Interacts with Operations, Process Engineering, Commercial, and Turnaround teams regularly to discuss optimization opportunities.
  • Issues the day-to-day instructions to the refinery team and is a resource when questions arise.
  • Manages the daily optimization activities to ensure the refinery is operating at plan feed rates and quality targets to maximize profit.
  • Interacts with the Crude Supply, Marketing, Heavy Oils Marketing, and Optimization Commercial teams. Maintains good working relationships with all Commercial teams.
  • Manages intermediate feedstock inventories to stay within operating envelope and oil flow plans.
  • Participates in daily/weekly teleconferences for products and feedstocks optimizations and provides ad-hoc analysis for real-time decision making.
  • Coordinates with Midstream to ensure tank maintenance plans mesh well with refinery oil flow and maintenance event schedules.
  • Coordinates and implements corrective actions and adjusts oil flow plan to mitigate impact of unplanned events.
  • Uses the LP model to update the monthly plan with weekly price updates and reports any shift in economic incentives for products and crude oil grades.
  • Uses the LP model to develop the monthly production forecast (MPF) that is used to set up the monthly product pipeline schedules.
  • Uses the LP model to develop the monthly oil flow plan and meets with RLT for review and approval. Communicates the monthly oil flow plan to individuals and teams throughout the organization.
  • Communicates with Operations regarding planned maintenance activities and adjusts operating conditions as needed to accommodate taking equipment off-line planned work.
  • Works with the Economics and Planning team to determine lost profit opportunity (LPO) estimates for current refinery events and monthly reporting purposes.
  • Uses the LP model to determine unit rate valuations each month and reports out to the organization.
  • Uses the LP model to determine gasoline blend values used to determine quality giveaway each month.
  • Participates in meetings with the Operations Business Teams.
  • Maintains the refinery outage and turnaround schedule.
  • Works with Operations to develop oil flow plans for planned outages and turnarounds and communicates the plan with the refinery team.
  • Backs up the Blending Specialist as needed.
  • Occasionally requires off-hours support to operations, Commercial, and third party companies.

     Special assignments or tasks assigned to the employee by their supervisor, as determined from time to time in their sole and complete discretion.

Experience

A minimum of 5 years of on-the-job experience in refinery operations, process engineering, or other relevant experience is required.

Education Level

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience (in lieu of a four year degree), is required.

Required Skills
  • Understands supply chain economics and refining processes.
  • Knowledge of petroleum qualities and lab testing methods is beneficial.
  • Ability to provide clear direction to multiple parties regarding feasibility while keeping economic considerations in the forefront.
  • Capability to work on multiple issues in parallel and make decisions with incomplete information.
  • Resilient under pressure.
  • This position is on the front line guiding the site to meet customer commitments and maximize margin.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft products and ability to learn to use other relevant software (Petro, Spiral Software, BLEND).
  • Strong communication skills, and ability to perform mathematical calculations.
  • Ability to foster strong teamwork and maintain good working relationships with multiple teams throughout the organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibility

None required.

Work Conditions

Primarily office based, but some field presence required at times. Petroleum refinery, and plant environment including but not limited chemicals, pressure vessels, tanks and rotating equipment. Subject to all weather and varying road conditions.

Benefits
HF Sinclair offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our employees and their families. Our benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Medical Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Paid Time-Off
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with match
  • Educational Reimbursement
  • Parental Bonding Time
  • Employee Discounts
We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, ensuring our employees have the resources needed to thrive professionally and personally. Benefit eligibility is governed by official plan documents, for more details visit Total Rewards.
Our One HF Sinclair Culture:
At HF Sinclair, we are united through our One HF Sinclair Culture, which is underpinned by our five core values of Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, Ownership and Inclusion. Developed to empower our people, our five core cultural values are at the heart of everything we do and extend to how we engage our stakeholders. These values influence our decisions, shape our behaviors and keep us connected across the entire organization. We maintain a true Safety culture for our employees, communities, environments and customers. Our goal is to make sure everyone returns home safely each day. We have a long-standing commitment to Integrity and ethical behavior and do what is right for our employees, investors, communities and the environment. We encourage employees to Step Up and Stand Out by championing a culture of Teamwork and Ownership. We foster a culture of Inclusion by encouraging diversity of experiences, viewpoints and backgrounds. What makes each of us different, together makes us stronger.
About HF Sinclair Corporation
HF Sinclair Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an independent energy company that produces and markets high-value light products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel and other specialty products. HF Sinclair owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Washington and Utah and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest U.S., the Rocky Mountains extending into the Pacific Northwest and in other neighboring Plains states. HF Sinclair supplies high-quality fuels to more than 1,500 branded stations and licenses the use of the Sinclair brand at more than 300 additional locations throughout the country. In addition, subsidiaries of HF Sinclair produce and market base oils and other specialized lubricants in the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands, and export products to more than 80 countries. Through its subsidiaries, HF Sinclair produces renewable diesel at two of its facilities in Wyoming and also at its facility in Artesia, New Mexico. HF Sinclair provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage and throughput services to its refineries and the petroleum industry.
Equal Opportunity Employer

HF Sinclair Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other prohibited ground of discrimination.

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