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Refinery Project Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Project Manager (Industrial & Refinery Construction) Position Summary The Project Manager (PM) is ... The position serves as a key liaison between clients, field operations, subcontractors, engineering ...

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 ...

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 ...

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in refinery EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) frameworks, a mastery of project controls, and a proven track record of managing massive ...

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in refinery EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) frameworks, a mastery of project controls, and a proven track record of managing massive ...

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in refinery EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) frameworks, a mastery of project controls, and a proven track record of managing massive ...

Senior Project Engineer

Tucker, GA · On-site

$93K - $121K/yr

Oversee the preparation of documents to communicate and refine project concepts with all involved parties. Assign specific tasks to Project Engineers for support. Quotation Support: * Product ...

Title: Project Engineer Under general supervision, solves complex problems requiring detailed ... Performs technical studies to refine project requirements. * Monitors project to ensure work scope ...

Title: Project Engineer Under general supervision, solves complex problems requiring detailed ... Performs technical studies to refine project requirements. * Monitors project to ensure work scope ...

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Refinery Project Engineer information

See salary details

$45K

$90.6K

$136K

How much do refinery project engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Refinery Project Engineer, and why are they important?

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 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 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.

More about Refinery Project Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Refinery Project Engineer jobs? 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:
Infographic showing various Refinery Project Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 46% Full Time, 38% Temporary, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,644 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

Refinery Project Engineer

Innovation Consulting

Lancaster, CA

$55 - $80/hr

Per diem

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Refinery Project Engineer


Type: W2 Contract or C2C — Innovation Consulting LLC

Location: Bakersfield, CA (Onsite)

Rate: $55–$80/hr DOE

Duration: 2–3 month initial engagement; strong potential for continuation

Schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday

Openings: 1–2 positions


About the Role

We are partnered with a nationwide engineering and project management firm to place one to two Refinery Project Engineers on assignment in Bakersfield, CA. This onsite role embeds with the firm’s project team at a petroleum refining facility, supporting front-end loading (FEL-1) capital project development across a defined scope of small capital and sustaining CAPEX projects. The scope is well-defined and the team is established.

W2 and corp-to-corp (C2C) arrangements are both available for this engagement. Successful candidates will be employed by Innovation Consulting LLC and placed on assignment with our client.

Local candidates are strongly preferred. Candidates located outside commutable distance to the site must be willing to relocate to the Bakersfield metro area for the duration of the assignment. Per diem is not available for this role.

Interviews are active — apply now for immediate consideration.


Key Responsibilities

Engineering & Project Development

•     Support project scoping across multiple refinery disciplines including mechanical, piping, civil, electrical, instrumentation, and process

•     Develop FEL-1 level cost estimates and associated basis documentation for assigned capital projects

•     Build and maintain project schedules aligned with evolving scope maturity

•     Review, interpret, and work from P&IDs, plot plans, and basic engineering documents

Coordination & Delivery

•     Coordinate with facility Project Engineers, Operations, Maintenance, and Technical Services

•     Assemble complete FEL-1 project packages including defined scope, assumptions, risks, and deliverables


Qualifications

Required

•     3+ years of experience scoping refinery, petrochemical, or industrial capital projects

•     Strong working knowledge of P&IDs and refinery/plant systems

•     Hands-on experience with early-phase capital project development (FEL-1 or equivalent front-end loading methodology)

•     Demonstrated ability to coordinate across multiple engineering disciplines and plant functions

•     Onsite availability for the full duration of the assignment; must be able to report onsite daily

Preferred

•     Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, or related discipline)

•     Professional Engineer (PE) license

•     PMP or equivalent project management certification

•     Proficiency in project scheduling tools (Primavera P6, MS Project, or equivalent)

•     Brownfield CAPEX or turnaround experience in a refinery environment

•     Familiarity with refinery safety programs and work permitting processes


Compensation & Employment

Employment Type: W2 employee of Innovation Consulting LLC, placed on assignment with our client; C2C arrangements considered for qualified candidates

Rate: $55–$80/hr DOE; commensurate with experience and qualifications

Duration: 2–3 month initial engagement; strong potential for continuation

Schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday

Benefits: Payroll processing, compliance administration, and benefits through Innovation Consulting LLC


Innovation Consulting LLC is an equal opportunity employer and recruiter. We review candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.