Chemical Engineering Student - Projects

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL); Calgary; On-site; CAD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid time off during holidays

Fly-In/Fly-Out from Calgary/Edmonton

Relocation assistance under StudentRel

Job summary

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) is offering a chemical engineering student internship in its Oil Sands Projects team. You will develop engineering knowledge, solve design problems, and gain hands-on experience in areas such as Bitumen production and upgrading across Calgary or Fort McMurray sites.

The role includes 8- or 12-month terms with Calgary and Oil Sands bases, requiring 5:2 or 4:3 shift patterns and safety-sensitive responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Chemical Engineering.
• Knowledge of process plant operation and equipment design.
• Experience reading and generating material and energy balances, PFDs and P&IDs.
• Working knowledge of HYSYS or UNISIM.
• Strong grasp of basic design principles.

Responsibilities

• Assist and work under the direction of Senior Process Engineer on project scopes.
• Support and complete Process Engineering deliverables (PFDs, P&IDs, simulations, calculations).
• Gather, sort and interpret operation data to support design decisions.
• Coordinate with other engineering disciplines and operations teams.
• Support documentation quality control and project planning.
• Review designs and checks performed by contractors.

Skills

Process plant operation knowledge

PFDs & P&IDs knowledge

Design principles

Independent work capability

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

HYSYS

UNISIM

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Are you a student looking for an exciting opportunity that is full of meaningful, diverse, and ambitious assignments working alongside industry leading professionals? Join Canadian Natural, where we strive to provide opportunities based on your abilities, helping you to contribute in a meaningful way and apply your academic experience to challenging and rewarding projects!

The Opportunity

Are you a student looking for an exciting opportunity that is full of meaningful, diverse, and ambitious assignments working alongside industry leading professionals? Join Canadian Natural, where we strive to provide opportunities based on your abilities, helping you to contribute in a meaningful way and apply your academic experience to challenging and rewarding projects!

As a Chemical Engineering Student within our Oil Sands Projects team, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of engineering principles and gain valuable hands‑on experience by solving engineering and design problems for our world‑class mining operations. You will be working in our Oil Sands Projects group in one of the following areas: Bitumen Production, Primary Upgrading, Secondary Upgrading, Support Units, Utilities and Off‑Sites, Froth Treatment or Tailings.

• Job location: Calgary, Alberta – Head Office or Fort McMurray, Alberta at our Albian or Horizon Oil Sands site
• Shift schedule:
  • Calgary-based: 5 days on, 2 days off, 8 hours per day (Monday - Friday)
  • Oil Sands-based: 4 days on, 3 days off, 10 hours per day (Monday - Thursday)
• Term length: 8 months or 12 months
• Term start: January or May 2027
• Safety sensitive position: Yes

Key Accountabilities

• Assist and work under direction of Senior Process Engineer with project scope of work
• Gain insight into how the oil and gas industry works
• Assist, support and complete Process Engineering deliverables such as process simulation, hydraulic calculation, process data sheets, pressure drop calculation, PFD and P&ID generation and revision control, HAZOP, etc.
• Gather, sort, filter and understand operation data to support design
• Coordinate with other engineering disciplines, Technical Safety, Operations and Maintenance and obtain design inputs
• Support and follow documentation quality control processes through discipline review and squad check
• Assist and support work planning and project goals
• Assist in reviewing and checking designs by engineering contractors

What You Bring To The Role

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Chemical Engineering
• General knowledge of process plant operation and equipment design
• General knowledge with reading and generating material and energy balances, PFD and P&IDs
• General working knowledge with Hysys or UNISIM
• Strong knowledge of the basic design principles
• Coordinate with project team members to complete assigned tasks
• Work independently as required
• Possess a valid Class 5 Alberta driver’s license or equivalent out of province license with a reasonably clean driver’s abstract
• Previous process engineering experience is considered an asset
• Previous field experience in an operating plant is considered an asset

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Paid time off during Christmas week and summer Fridays in July and August (Calgary)
• Quality camp facilities with multiple amenities available
• Company Sponsored Fly-In/Fly-Out from Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta
• Students may be eligible for relocation assistance pursuant to Canadian Natural’s Student Relocation Policy (students will be responsible for finding their own accommodations during the work term)
• Multiple volunteer opportunities within the community
• Opportunities to partake in initiatives such as the Intern Social Committee

Check out our COMPENSATION & BENEFITS overview to see what we have to offer!

About Us

Canadian Natural operates one of the largest Campus Recruitment programs in the country, hiring over 400 students every year. Students hired on with us are made to feel a part of the team, gaining high level experience, knowledge, and training that introduces and prepares them for full-time employment.

We are proud to share that Canadian Natural has been ranked as a Top Employer for 2023, 2024 and 2025 by Canada's Future Workforce and also one of Forbes' Canada's Best Employers in 2025 and 2026.

Industry Leader:

We commenced business in 1989 with a handful of employees and modest production, but today we employ more than 10,000 people and produce over 1 million BOE/d.

Community Investment:

Social responsibility is a critical element of our commitment to responsible operations and part of our success and pride as a Company. We are committed to investing in the communities where we live and work, creating shared value along the way.

Compensation and Benefits:

We strive to share Company success with all employees through a comprehensive total compensation package.

Our People, Our Stories:

Our stories demonstrate the strong culture that exists at Canadian Natural – one that focuses on developing people, working together and doing it right, with fun and integrity.

Check out some of our Student Testimonials !

All candidates applying to Canadian Natural must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. This posting will close once a successful candidate has been selected.