Valero is the best-in-class producer of essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. We invite you to join our ~10,000 employees to drive exceptional results for our company, the energy industry and our community. A Principal Process Engineer – Hydroprocessing is a senior process engineering specialist who identifies, leads, and communicates projects and technical work that improve unit performance, reliability, cycle length, and margin capture. The role plans and executes multi-disciplinary work, partners closely with Operations and Maintenance, and provides high level troubleshooting and startup support for complex unit issues. The Principal operates with substantial autonomy, aligning efforts with site and corporate priorities, and collaborates with Directors and Advisors as needed to resolve critical problems and standardize best practices. At Valero, this role performs duties that support our commitment to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity, and unmatched execution, including:
- Identifies high impact improvement opportunities in assigned process units and develops clear project / turnaround scope, value cases, and execution plans that align with site and corporate strategy.
- Leads and coordinates catalyst selections and other technical work across Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, Process Control, and Projects to deliver safe, timely, and well documented results.
- Coordinates and leads on-site startup support for critical units.
- Serves as a recognized process unit authority, mentoring engineers and advising operations on operating windows, and performance optimization.
- Leads high level troubleshooting of complex unit upsets, coordinating cross functional response and restoring stable operation.
- Reviews and approves (with signature authority) all Hydroprocessing catalyst purchases for assigned units, including catalyst request-for-quotation, working with site, procurement, and planning to accurately reflect unit goals and planned feedstock.
- Provides a reasoned technical and economic recommendation for catalyst including range of outcomes, showing continuous improvement as outlined in the Decision Support Package. Applies fundamental Hydroprocessing catalyst knowledge to Valero business in proper application of high activity, optimal selectivity and/or low-cost options.
- Knowledgeable on catalyst manufacture, pilot plant testing, and catalyst quality parameters and provides input to catalyst development programs with Valero catalyst supplier partners.
- Partners with Project Development group to identify and progress project scope through PDEP milestones, set design criteria, evaluate alternatives, and confirm operability, maintainability, and lifecycle value.
- Contributes to the development and rollout of corporate standards, best practices, and performance benchmarks; provides feedback to improve company-wide methodologies. Works with process safety on standardized unit risk assessments and PHA action items.
- Coaches and develops early career and mid-career engineers; fosters a culture of technical rigor, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Informally trains, shares lessons learned and best practices across units and sites to drive consistency and accelerate value delivery.
This position is salaried exempt status, which means you are not eligible for overtime pay.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree or higher degree in Chemical Engineering or closely related field required.
- 15 years of process engineering experience in a refining industry, including field experience with startups and operating plant troubleshooting required.
- Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero San Antonio location, required.
- Provides on‑site support during off‑hours, including evenings and weekends as needed, to address urgent operational or reliability events, required.
- Available for occasional on-site refinery startup support for critical units that may be days-only or 12-hour shift work for 1–2 weeks at a time, required.
- Ability to travel to other company sites or vendors/licensors for project reviews, technical troubleshooting, and knowledge sharing as needed. Overall travel requirement estimated at 25%.
- Current TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) holder or ability to obtain a TWIC card from TSA required as many Valero refineries are categorized as maritime facilities, required.
Need more reasons to work for a company that is both professionally challenging and culturally rewarding? Take a look at some of our best-in-class benefits:
- Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program
- 100% match on 401(K) up to 7%, with immediate vesting
- Company-sponsored Pension Plan
- Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellness Programs
- Onsite Daycare Center
- Onsite Employee and Family Wellness Centers (Physician & Pediatrician)
- Onsite Pharmacy
- State-of-the-art 24-hour Fitness Center free for employees and spouses with access to Tennis and Basketball Facilities
- Onsite cafeteria open for breakfast and lunch
- Sprawling campus with walking paths and access to biking trails
Benefits described above are highlights only, subject to an employee’s eligibility and work location. 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. Valero's employees and team-focused culture drive our success. We’re invested in our dedicated workforce through a comprehensive, customizable benefits package, while supporting a caring culture that delivers a rewarding work environment built on teamwork, excellence and career growth. To explore the ways we build a stronger team, visit Valero.com/Careers. Valero is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Please be advised, if you are viewing this position on a website that lists an estimated salary rate/range, it was not provided by Valero. Valero’s market specific salary rate/range will be provided during the recruiting process and tends to be higher than what is estimated by such websites. The posting may close earlier than the advertised date based on applications received. Note: Valero’s pre-employment process includes successful completion of a background check and hair-analysis drug screen.