Lead/Senior Process Engineer

Senior Process Engineer – Oil Refining & Process Facilities
Location: Alberta (Hybrid/Office-Based)
Employment Type: Permanent or Contract

A leading engineering and manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Lead/Senior Process Engineer to join its Engineering & Design team. This role offers the opportunity to lead the process design and execution of complex oil refining, heavy oil, and energy infrastructure projects while mentoring junior engineers and contributing to strategic technical decisions.

The successful candidate will play a key role throughout project lifecycles, from concept development and FEED studies through detailed engineering, fabrication support, commissioning, and client engagement. This position is ideal for a technically strong engineer looking to expand leadership responsibilities while working on a diverse portfolio of domestic and international projects.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead process engineering activities for oil refining, oil processing, heavy oil, and utility system projects.
• Develop process design packages including process calculations, simulations, equipment specifications, and engineering deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and quality review for junior and intermediate engineers.
• Support proposal preparation, project planning, and client presentations.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering, design, and project management teams.
• Participate in technical reviews, design optimization, and key project decision-making.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships throughout project execution.
• Support fabrication, construction, commissioning, and startup activities as required.
• Travel occasionally within Canada and internationally to support project execution and commissioning efforts.

Career Growth Opportunities

This role provides exposure to a broad range of projects, including:

• Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies
• Modular process facilities
• EPC and turnkey projects
• Oil refining and upgrading facilities
• Heavy oil processing operations
• Utility and water treatment systems

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to deepen their technical expertise, develop leadership capabilities, and gain hands-on experience supporting fabrication and project delivery from concept to completion.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or eligibility for registration with APEGA or another Canadian engineering association.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience within oil refining, upgrading, recycling, or hydrocarbon processing.
• Strong knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
  • Desalters and Electrostatic Treaters
  • Atmospheric and Vacuum Distillation
  • Thermal and Catalytic Cracking
  • Hydrotreating and Hydrofining
  • Reforming and Isomerization
  • Steam Methane Reforming
  • Delayed Coking
  • Sulphur Recovery Systems

Preferred Experience

Experience in any of the following areas would be considered an asset:

• Glycol dehydration and gas sweetening
• Mechanical refrigeration systems
• Oil processing facilities
• SAGD and heavy oil developments
• Produced water treatment systems
• Oil treater design
• Materials selection and corrosion management
• Compression systems and rotating equipment
• EPC or fabrication environments

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with process simulation software such as:
  • Aspen HYSYS
  • ProMax
  • VMGSim Symmetry
  • FLARENET
• Experience preparing and reviewing:
  • Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)
  • Heat & Material Balances (HMBs)
  • Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
  • Design Basis Memoranda
  • Equipment Datasheets
  • Line Lists
  • Hydraulic Calculations
  • Process Control Narratives
  • Cause & Effect Diagrams
• Experience with process equipment sizing and specification, including:
  • Separators
  • Treaters and FWKOs
  • Heat Exchangers
  • Pressure Safety Valves (PSVs)
  • Flare Systems
  • Control Valves
  • Pumps
  • Reciprocating, Rotary Screw, and Centrifugal Compressors

What We're Looking For

• Strong technical problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
• Client-focused mindset with a commitment to quality, safety, and engineering excellence.