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Refinery Process Operator Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

Anvil Corporation

Process Engineer

Lakewood, CO

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES Work directly with clients and front-line operations staff at operating ... refinery process operations, troubleshooting, and small project execution Must have a general ...

Electra

Senior Process Development Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

With two operating pilots in Boulder and a new demonstration facility underway in Jefferson County ... refining pilot plant. Responsibilities include: * Lead projects to study and scale up new processes ...

Electra

Senior Process Development Engineer

Boulder, CO

$100K - $160K/yr

With two operating pilots in Boulder and a new demonstration facility underway in Jefferson County ... refining pilot plant. Responsibilities include: * Lead projects to study and scale up new processes ...

ERG

Senior Process Safety/Chemical Engineer

Golden, CO · Remote

$110K - $155K/yr

... PHAs); operating procedures; training records; mechanical integrity programmatic records ... refineries, chemicals manufacturing facilities, anhydrous ammonia refrigeration facilities ...

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All JobsRefinery Process Operator JobsRefinery Process Operator Jobs in Denver, CO

Refinery Process Operator information

See Denver, CO salary details

$14

$21

$31

How much do refinery process operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for refinery process operator in Denver, CO is $21.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.80 and $23.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a refinery process operator?

Refinery Process Operators are skilled professionals responsible for controlling and monitoring the machinery and equipment in oil refineries. They oversee the refining process, ensuring that crude oil is converted into usable products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel efficiently and safely. Their duties include adjusting controls, conducting inspections, troubleshooting issues, and maintaining safety standards. Refinery Process Operators play a critical role in preventing accidents and ensuring the smooth operation of the facility.

What are some common challenges faced by refinery process operators, and how can they be managed effectively?

Refinery Process Operators often encounter challenges such as managing unexpected equipment malfunctions, responding to process upsets, and maintaining safety standards in a fast-paced environment. Effective communication with team members and prompt decision-making are crucial for troubleshooting issues and minimizing downtime. Operators typically rely on their training, process control systems, and support from maintenance or engineering teams to resolve problems quickly. Staying proactive with regular monitoring and adhering to safety protocols helps ensure smooth operations and a safe workplace.

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

To thrive as a Refinery Process Operator, you need a solid understanding of chemical processes, mechanical systems, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or associate degree in a technical field. Familiarity with distributed control systems (DCS), process monitoring software, and industry safety certifications like OSHA are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for responding to operational issues and maintaining productivity. These skills ensure safe, efficient, and compliant refinery operations in a complex industrial environment.

What is the difference between Refinery Process Operator vs Chemical Plant Operator?

AspectRefinery Process OperatorChemical Plant Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications in refinery operationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications in chemical processing
Work EnvironmentRefineries, oil processing facilitiesChemical manufacturing plants
Industry UsageOil and gas industryChemical manufacturing industry
Job FunctionsOperate and monitor refining equipment, ensure safety and efficiencyOperate chemical processing equipment, monitor reactions and safety

Refinery Process Operators and Chemical Plant Operators share similar credentials and work environments, often requiring certifications and safety training. While both roles involve operating complex equipment, Refinery Process Operators focus on oil refining processes, whereas Chemical Plant Operators work in chemical manufacturing. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path within the processing industries.

What are popular job titles related to Refinery Process Operator jobs in Denver, CO? For Refinery Process Operator jobs in Denver, CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Refinery Process Operator jobs in Denver, CO look for? The top searched job categories for Refinery Process Operator jobs in Denver, CO are:
Refinery Process Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Refinery Process Operator job openings in Denver, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,272 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Process Engineer - Fluid Catalytic Cracking - Refinery Experience Only

Aramco

Denver, CO • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Aramco energizes the world economy.

Aramco occupies a special position in the global energy industry. We are one of the world’s largest producers of hydrocarbon energy and chemicals, with among the lowest Upstream carbon intensities of any major producer.

With our significant investment in technology and infrastructure, we strive to maximize the value of the energy we produce for the world along with a commitment to enhance Aramco’s value to society.

Headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and with offices around the world, we combine market discipline with a generations’ spanning view of the future, born of our nine decades experience as responsible stewards of the Kingdom’s vast hydrocarbon resources. This responsibility has driven us to deliver significant societal and economic benefits to not just the Kingdom, but also to a vast number of communities, economies, and countries that rely on the vital and reliable energy that we supply.

We are one of the most profitable companies in the world, as well as amongst the top five global companies by market capitalization.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Downstream Process Engineer with extensive hands-on expertise in Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) processes to join the Downstream Operation Engineering Solutions Department (OESD).

OESD's technical team provides high-quality, multi-disciplinary support to Global Manufacturing operating facilities (Refineries, NGLF, and petrochemical plants) within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and globally.

Your primary role is to provide in-depth process engineering and operations expertise to monitor, optimize, and drive performance improvement programs for refineries' FCC, including both remote and on-site technical advisory support, benchmarking, and technology knowledge management.

Key Responsibilities

As the successful candidate you will be required to perform the following:

  • Conduct comprehensive performance reviews of existing FCC units, analyzing KPIs related to yield, operability, profitability, reliability, and process safety. Develop and present quarterly benchmarking reports with actionable improvement recommendations.
  • Provide hands-on technical support in implementing performance improvement initiatives, demonstrating measurable results in closing identified gaps from quarterly benchmarking reports.
  • Lead benchmarking and best practices exchange workshops among Global Manufacturing facilities (wholly-owned and affiliates), facilitating knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in FCC technologies.
  • Deliver on-demand remote and field technical advisory support, including troubleshooting, optimization, debottlenecking, revamp, and upgrade activities for FCC units. Provide detailed service reports for each support activity.
  • Drive performance improvement programs that enhance process safety, optimize manufacturing costs, and increase FCC unit reliability and yield.
  • Develop and implement best practices and standards for FCC engineering and maintenance, ensuring alignment with industry standards and regulations.
  • Provide expert technical support to project teams and contractors for FCC engineering and procurement activities.
  • Coordinate with other disciplines (mechanical, instrumentation, and electrical) to ensure optimal performance and integration of FCC equipment.
  • Conduct regular audits and inspections of FCC equipment to ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality regulations and standards.
  • Evaluate and recommend new technologies and innovations for FCC improvement and optimization, including catalyst developments and advanced control strategies.
  • Prepare and update technical documentation and reports for FCC engineering and operation.
  • Participate in business plan development and coordinate with stakeholders for capital investments in FCC facilities.
  • Facilitate technical knowledge exchange workshops with FCC process technology licensors and Global Manufacturing facilities.
  • Develop and deliver in-house technical training programs on FCC operations and optimization to Global Manufacturing facilities as needed.
  • Participate in incident investigation activities concerning FCC process technologies as required by operating facilities.
Minimum Requirements
  • You must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering. An advanced degree is preferred.
  • You should have a minimum of 15 years of experience in refinery operations, with at least 10 years of hands-on experience specifically in FCC operations and optimization.
  • Demonstrated ability to optimize FCC operations, with specific examples of performance improvements achieved (e.g., yield improvements, energy savings, reliability enhancements).
  • Comprehensive knowledge of FCC processes, equipment, and systems, including regenerator operations, catalyst management, and product fractionation.
  • Deep understanding of FCC catalyst chemistry and selection criteria for various feedstocks.
  • Expertise in FCC troubleshooting, including analysis of operational issues such as afterburn, catalyst circulation problems, and product quality deviations.
  • Proficiency in process simulation software specific to FCC modeling (e.g., Aspen HYSYS, KBC Petro-SIM).
  • Strong knowledge of refinery economics and the impact of FCC performance on overall refinery profitability.
  • Familiarity with relevant industry standards and regulations (e.g., API, ASME) applicable to FCC units.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare and present technical reports to various audiences, including senior management.
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience in mentoring junior engineers and operators in FCC operations and optimization techniques.
  • As the ideal candidate, you will have a proven track record of optimizing Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) operations in refinery and petrochemical plant settings.
Work Location and Work Schedule

Work location: Within Saudi Arabia – To be specified in Job offer

Work schedule: Full Time - To be specified in Job offer

Job Posting Duration

Job posting start date: 02/12/2026

Job posting end date: 12/31/2026

Working environment

Our high-performing employees are drawn by the challenging and rewarding professional, technical and industrial opportunities we offer, and are remunerated accordingly.

At Aramco, our people work on truly world-scale projects, supported by investment in capital and technology that is second to none. And because, as a global energy company, we are faced with addressing some of the world’s biggest technical, logistical and environmental challenges, we invest heavily in talent development.

We have a proud history of educating and training our workforce over many decades. Employees at all levels are encouraged to improve their sector-specific knowledge and competencies through our workforce development programs – one of the largest in the world.

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