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Refinery Project Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

EAE USA Inc

Project Engineer

Tucker, GA · On-site

Help prepare documents to communicate and refine project concepts with all involved parties, as guided by Senior Project Engineers. Quotation Support * Determination: Support the process of ...

EAE USA Inc

Project Engineer

Tucker, GA · On-site

Help prepare documents to communicate and refine project concepts with all involved parties, as guided by Senior Project Engineers. Quotation Support * Determination: Support the process of ...

U.S. Sugar

Project Engineer

Clewiston, FL · On-site

The results should be improved root cause analysis and proper resolution to engineering issues that arise during the daily operations of the refinery. * Compliance and Standards: The project engineer ...

United States Sugar Corp

Project Engineer

Clewiston, FL · On-site

$90 - $115/hr

The results should be improved root cause analysis and proper resolution to engineering issues that arise during the daily operations of the refinery. * Compliance and Standards: The project engineer ...

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Refinery Project Engineer information

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$45K

$90.6K

$136K

How much do refinery project engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for refinery project engineer in the United States is $90,644.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $103,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a refinery project engineer do?

A Refinery Project Engineer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing engineering projects within an oil refinery. Their duties include designing project plans, managing contractors, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and monitoring project progress from conception to completion. They collaborate with other engineers, project managers, and refinery staff to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. The role also involves troubleshooting technical issues and implementing process improvements to enhance refinery efficiency.

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

To thrive as a Refinery Project Engineer, you need a strong background in chemical or mechanical engineering, project management experience, and typically a bachelor's degree in engineering. Familiarity with process simulation software, project scheduling tools like Primavera or MS Project, and relevant certifications such as PMP are highly valuable. Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help manage cross-functional teams and complex projects effectively. These skills ensure that refinery projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget while meeting all technical and regulatory requirements.

What are some common challenges refinery project engineers face when coordinating multidisciplinary teams?

Refinery Project Engineers often work with diverse teams, including process engineers, construction managers, and safety specialists. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across disciplines, as each team may have different priorities and technical languages. Balancing project timelines with safety standards and regulatory compliance can also be demanding. Successful project engineers typically use strong organizational and interpersonal skills to align team efforts and keep projects on schedule.

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

AspectRefinery Project EngineerRefinery Process Engineer
Primary FocusManaging refinery construction and upgrade projectsOptimizing and improving refining processes
ResponsibilitiesProject planning, execution, and coordinationProcess design, troubleshooting, and efficiency improvements
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, PMP often preferredBachelor's in Chemical or Petroleum Engineering
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, project officesRefinery process units, laboratories

Refinery Project Engineers focus on managing and executing refinery construction and upgrade projects, ensuring timely completion and adherence to specifications. In contrast, Refinery Process Engineers concentrate on optimizing refining processes for efficiency and safety. Both roles require engineering degrees, but their daily tasks and work environments differ significantly.

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Cities with the most Refinery Project Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Refinery Project Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Refinery Project Engineer jobs include:

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

The top searched job categories for Refinery Project Engineer jobs are:

Refinery Project Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Refinery Project Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,644 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

Project Engineer - Refinery

Lemont, IL

Sterling Engineering Inc.
See more jobs at Sterling Engineering Inc.external

$50 - $80/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Title: Project Engineer - Refinery
Location: Lemont, IL
Shift: 1st Shift
Hire Type: Long Term Open-Ended Contract (Multi-Year, No End Date)
Pay Rate: $50-80 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
This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys owning projects from initial scope development through construction, commissioning, and startup. You'll work alongside multidisciplinary engineering, operations, construction, reliability, and process teams while gaining valuable experience with capital project execution, cost management, safety, and large-scale industrial infrastructure.
If you're looking for a role where you can take real ownership of projects, work with experienced technical teams, and see your engineering decisions implemented in the field, this is an excellent opportunity.

Key Responsibilities
  • Plan, organize, and execute assigned capital projects from scope development through commissioning and startup
  • Develop and maintain project scope, budgets, schedules, cost forecasts, and performance objectives
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams including Process Engineering, Electrical/Instrumentation, Reliability, Operations, Construction, and other technical groups
  • Monitor project costs, cash flow, schedules, and overall project performance
  • Manage project change orders and maintain effective scope and cost control
  • Oversee outside engineering resources, contractors, and material quality requirements
  • Execute detailed engineering design activities and support major equipment and material purchases
  • Develop and maintain project documentation in accordance with established stage-gate processes
  • Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process for assigned projects
  • Lead Pre-Start-up Safety Reviews (PSSRs) to ensure projects are safely prepared for startup
  • Support construction, commissioning, and startup activities to verify proper installation and project requirements
  • Ensure projects meet safety, quality, environmental, regulatory, cost, schedule, and performance objectives
Qualifications
  • Must have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related engineering discipline
  • Must have 5+ years of Project Engineering experience in a petroleum or chemical refinery 
  • Experience managing engineering or capital projects from concept through execution
  • Strong understanding of project scope, cost, scheduling, and change management
  • Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering and operations teams
Preferred Qualifications
  • Familiarity with PV Elite and/or CAESAR II
  • Familiarity with industry codes such as ASME Section XIII and ASME B31.3
  • Any responsibility for directly reviewing or actually doing pipe stress or pressure vessel analysis
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.