Valero Energy

Principal Process Engineer - Fractionation

Valero Energy$120K — $150K *
Energy & Utilities
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
  • 15 years of process engineering experience in refining/petroleum industry with field experience in startups.
  • Field expertise in P&IDs review and troubleshooting data acquisition.
  • Experience in optimizing distillation columns and troubleshooting fractionating towers.
  • Proven ability to assess performance issues and provide actionable recommendations.
  • Willingness to work on-site at Valero's San Antonio location.
  • Strong written and presentation skills preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Support day-to-day optimization and troubleshooting across refinery sites.
  • Provide technical leadership for Valero's Process Chemical treatment program.
  • Assist plants with strategic project investigations and implementations.
  • Establish Key Processing Best Practices to enhance profitability.
  • Conduct regular site visits for evaluation and performance testing.
  • Manage projects ranging from $50k to $5M, overseeing consultants and contractors.
  • Develop and maintain monthly Progress Reports for management.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness plans.
  • Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Supportive and collaborative company culture.
Full Job Description
Description

Valero is looking for a Principal Process Engineer - Fractionation to join the Process Optimization & Support team at the Valero Headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. The Principal Process Engineer - Fractionation serves as Fractionation Subject Matter Expert providing best in class support for refinery optimization and project support.

Responsibilities may also include:

  • Reports to Technology Advisor, Fractionation and Crude units
  • Supports day-to-day routine optimization and troubleshooting distillation and Crude and Vacuum unit issues across the Refinery sites as needed.
  • Provides higher level troubleshooting and debottlenecking capability.
  • Responds to refinery requests for assistance.
  • Provide technical leadership to further develop Valero's Process Chemical treatment program.
  • Assists plants with investigation and implementation of strategic projects.
  • Assists in the development and application of distillation and Crude and Vacuum unit technologies across the Refinery sites.
  • Stays abreast of emerging technology in in Distillation, Crude and Vacuum units.
  • Assists with establishing Key Processing "Best Practices" to improve profitability, including: operating conditions, feedstock processing, hardware change recommendations, monitoring process conditions, and unit performance reporting/comparison (benchmarking).
  • Supports capital development process in technology selection and front-end engineering as requested.
  • Conducts regular site visits to assist in evaluation, monitoring, troubleshooting, process design, performance tests, and optimization.
  • Conducts site visits during turnarounds/outages to assist with tower inspections, scope development, and solution evaluations.
  • Provides training for Valero early career engineers; Crude/Vacuum, Intro/Advanced Distillation, Intern, and selected onsite training (Operations support and Installation/Inspection).
  • Manages projects ranging from $50k - $5M.
  • Acts as primary contact with and monitors performance of Consultants, Vendors, Construction Contractors, and Subcontractors, etc. employed for the projects.
  • Communicates formally and informally to management at the refinery.
  • Develops and releases monthly Progress Reports.
  • Resolves technical/commercial/schedule issues and conflicts.
  • Controls project changes and directs communication with the refinery management regarding changes and change control.


This position is salaried exempt status, which means you are not eligible for overtime pay.

Qualifications

  • Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degree or higher degree in Chemical Engineering required.
  • 15 years of process engineering experience in a refining or petroleum industry, including field experience with startups and operating plant troubleshooting required.
  • Field experience in P&IDs review, Instrument Identification, Unit operations, and troubleshooting-data acquisition required.
  • Field experience in troubleshooting fractionating towers and separators and in optimization of operating distillation columns required.
  • Experience with process design of fractionating internals and their hydraulic ratings required.
  • Ability to quickly assess unit/tower/separator performance issues, arrive at actionable recommendations and provide clear communications to operations, refinery leadership and corporate leadership required.
  • Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero San Antonio location, required.
  • Strong written and presentation skills is highly preferred.
  • Experience in primary crude fractionation operation, including desalting and vacuum systems preferred.
  • Experience with leading unit startups, including revamps and new units preferred.


All successful candidates must be eligible to obtain a TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential). It is Valero's policy that employees must wear this card at all times while working at the refinery. Please review eligibility criteria at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.

Position level and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

*LI-LP1

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO) is a Fortune 500 oil and gas refining and retail company based in San Antonio, Texas. The company owns and operates 18 refineries throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.3 million barrels per day, making it the largest refiner in North America. Valero is also one of the nation's largest retail operators with more than 5,000 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under various brand names, including Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Ultramar, Shamrock, and Beacon. Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries, is an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels, other petrochemical products and power. Valero subsidiaries employ approximately 10,500 people, and assets include 16 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3 million barrels per day, 10 ethanol plants with a combined production capacity of 1.2 billion gallons per year, and a 50-megawatt wind farm. More than 7,300 outlets carry the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock and Beacon brands in the United States and the Caribbean; Ultramar in Canada; and Texaco in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Valero is a Fortune 500 company based in San Antonio.

Valero Energy Careers

Join the dynamic team at Valero Energy, a leader in the energy sector and a beacon of innovation and sustainability. At Valero, we offer a plethora of job opportunities that pave the way for professional growth and personal achievement. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Valero provides a platform to propel your career to new heights.

Work You’ll Do

At Valero Energy, every position plays a critical role in our mission to provide safe, reliable energy. Our team members are at the forefront of the energy industry, driving innovation and leading through example. By joining our team, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to solve complex challenges and improve our operations.

Explore Our Job Opportunities

Valero Energy is constantly seeking talented individuals who are passionate about their careers and eager for new challenges. From engineering to financial services, our job opportunities span a wide range of disciplines. Explore positions that match your skills and interests on our Careers page, and take the first step towards a fulfilling career at Valero.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Valero internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry experience, networking opportunities, and the chance to work on meaningful projects. Interns at Valero are considered integral members of our team and are given responsibilities that challenge and enhance their academic learning.

Culture and Benefits

Valero Energy is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity fuels innovation and creates a stronger team. Our culture is built on leadership, respect, and integrity—values that have steered our company through decades of success. Employees enjoy competitive benefits, including health care, retirement plans, and diversity training programs designed to help them thrive both personally and professionally.

Professional Development

Investing in our employees’ growth is a priority at Valero. We offer a range of professional development opportunities, including leadership training, skills enhancement workshops, and continuous learning programs. Our goal is to ensure that every employee has the resources and support they need to reach their full potential.

Join Our Team

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the energy sector? We are hiring creative, curious, and motivated individuals to join our team. Search open positions, submit your resume, and prepare for an interview where you can showcase your unique qualifications. At Valero Energy, your career advancement is supported by robust training and development programs that encourage lifelong learning and professional growth.

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Valero Energy – Powering the Future

At Valero Energy, we’re not just a company; we’re a community. Together, we’re powering the future, committed to innovation, leadership, and the continuous growth of our team and our world. Join us in making a difference.

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Learn more about Valero Energy
Size
9,813 employees
Market Cap
$46.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$1.4 billion
Founded
1980
5 Year Trend
+8.5%
Revenue
$64.9 billion
NASDAQ

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