Lead Process Operations Engineer; Refinery - Relocate to Saudi Arabia, Expat Family

Position: Lead Process Operations Engineer (Refinery) - Relocate to Saudi Arabia, Permanent Expat Family [...]
Location: The Hague

Please note that this role is based in Saudi Arabia on a permanent, residential basis.

Description:

Aramco energizes the world economy.

Overview
We are seeking a Lead Process Operations Engineer to join Yanbu Refinery Engineering Division (YRED). Yanbu Refinery Engineering Division is responsible for providing technical leadership and engineering support across all refinery operations to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient design, operation, and modification of process units and systems. The department oversees process, mechanical, and chemical engineering activities, including the development and implementation of engineering standards, technical specifications, and asset integrity programs.

It collaborates closely with maintenance, inspection, and operational teams to support equipment reliability, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Your primary role is to bridge the gap between engineering design and operational execution, ensuring that refinery processes run efficiently, reliably, and safely. This role involves applying engineering principles to real‑time operations, supporting continuous improvement, troubleshooting process inefficiencies, and optimizing unit performance. You will collaborate closely with process engineers, operations teams, maintenance planners, and technical support units to ensure that design intent is maintained during day‑to‑day operations, and that any deviations or performance gaps are addressed through technical analysis and engineering solutions.

By integrating process knowledge, operational feedback, and engineering tools, the specialist plays a key role in enhancing unit throughput, reducing energy consumption, improving product yields, and supporting asset integrity, all while aligning with safety, environmental, and Aramco operational excellence standards.

Key Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and strategic direction to the Operations Engineering team, ensuring alignment with refinery performance targets, reliability goals, and safety standards.

Lead process optimization initiatives across multiple units, identifying and implementing engineering‑driven improvements in throughput, energy efficiency, and product yield.

Oversee the development and execution of engineering strategies that support turnarounds, shutdowns, capacity expansions, and process modifications.

Act as the primary engineering authority during process upsets, equipment failures, or performance deviations, ensuring timely, data‑driven, and technically sound resolution.

Champion cross‑functional collaboration between operations, maintenance, process engineering, and technical support teams to enhance asset integrity, operational flexibility, and system reliability.

Lead or participate in HAZOP studies, PHA reviews, and risk assessments to ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and environmental standards.

Develop and implement best practices, engineering standards, and digital tools to enhance operational discipline, predictive capabilities, and decision support systems.

Provide technical oversight and approval for equipment modifications, process changes, and scope definitions to ensure alignment with design intent and operational feasibility.

Mentor and develop high‑potential engineers and specialists, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and professional growth.

Represent the Operations Engineering function in strategic reviews, project governance forums, and corporate improvement programs, ensuring that operational insights and engineering rigor are integrated into decision‑making.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Process Engineering from a recognized and accredited university;
Master’s Degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in refining, petrochemical, or industrial operations, with a strong track record of technical leadership and operational excellence.

Demonstrated expertise in refinery process systems, including crude distillation, catalytic reforming, hydrotreating, sulfur recovery, and utilities integration.

In‑depth knowledge of process simulation tools (e.g., Aspen…