Process Design Technologist

Position Summary

The Refining Technology group seeks to create maximum value for our shareholders through pro‑active unit optimization and achieve “best in class” performance based on yields, profitability, reliability, safety and environmental compliance. Refining Technology provides technical expertise, operational support, commercial support, process optimization, new technology development and process design support to Marathon’s refinery system. The Process Design Technologist is the main conduit for identifying and implementing projects and processes to improve Marathon’s Processing Units to achieve greater performance and efficiency.

The Process Design Technologist will work with Process Technologists and Refinery Unit Engineers along with external licensors and vendors to identify innovative solutions to drive refinery performance improvements. This position reports to the Process Engineering Technology Manager and may be based in any of Marathon’s 16 refinery locations, or the Findlay, Ohio or San Antonio, Texas headquarters. Travel requirement is approximately 25%.

• Provide process engineering technical leadership to ensure clarity and accuracy of design against project goals and objectives; engage proactively with Refinery Technical Service engineers, refinery & corporate environmental, and Operations to ensure scope clarity.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines; identify and develop modifications to optimize the process, improve reliability, safety, sustainability, or environmental performance.
• Drive assigned scoping studies and lead idea generation in the pre-conceptual phase; perform process simulations and calculations to support equipment sizing, hydraulic analysis, and energy optimization.
• Lead process engineering for comprehensive conceptual phase content; work with Asset Development Engineers to develop business cases and economic drivers; develop project economics and support decision‑support packages.
• Own process‑related deliverables and define solid scope for feasibility and subsequent definitive stage deliverables; support detailed engineering leading to complete “Issued for Construction” drawings that maintain design against prior definition.
• Provide process input for project pre‑startup review, startup; work with unit engineers to conduct performance tests and determine if benefits are realized.
• Oversee engineering contractors performing process work for project development; develop technical and scope documents supporting process engineering oversight.
• Lead development of PFDs, P&IDs, PSM activities, control narratives, and cause‑and‑effect documents; participate in operator training and operating manual implementation.
• Maintain working relationships with third‑party licensors, technology vendors, catalyst/chemical suppliers, and engineering contractors; provide technical guidance related to operating procedures, environmental compliance, management of change, safety and relief system operation and design.
• Ensure adherence to process engineering guidelines, refining standard practices, and support process hazard reviews and incident investigations.
• Advise engineers and lead complex troubleshooting spanning multiple units/sites; interface with other departments to develop repair/redesign options addressing acute or chronic operating problems.
• Collaborate with commercial, feedstock, products organizations, operations, and refinery process engineers to identify and accomplish site and regional optimization strategies; recommend new operating conditions; understand advanced process control concepts and participate in development of new control strategies.
• Assess viability of producing new products or meeting new specifications for entry into markets.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• Eight (8) years or more of process design engineering experience within refining or other heavy industry required.
• Proficiency in process simulation tools (e.g., Aspen Plus, Aspen Hysys, KBC Petro‑Sim, HTRI).
• Strong knowledge of process engineering fundamentals, equipment design, safety standards, and project execution workflows.