Senior Process Engineer

Vitol; Malaysia; On-site; MYR 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vitol, owner of ATB refinery in Pontian, Johor, Malaysia, seeks a Process Engineer to support refinery process design, risk assessments and optimization. You will analyze process performance, conduct economic evaluations, and ensure regulatory compliance across refinery systems.

The role requires a bachelor’s in chemical engineering and 5–10 years’ petrochemical experience, with strong skills in refinery simulation and LP modelling. On-site work at the Pontian site is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
• At least 5 to 10 years of experience in the refinery/petrochemical industry.
• Excellent computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, project management, linear programming, refinery simulation and related software.

Responsibilities

• Prepares technical analyses of refinery processes including material and energy balances and bottlenecks for improving operations.
• Performs preliminary economic analyses for yields and blending operations; conducts LP modelling as needed.
• Interfaces with refinery and terminal management to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations.

Skills

Computer skills

Project management

Linear programming

Refinery simulation

Pressure analysis

Heat transfer

Equipment sizing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering

Tools

HYSYS

ASPEN

Job description

Vitol is a leader in energy and commodities. Vitol produces, manages and delivers energy and commodities to consumers and industry worldwide.In addition to its primary business of trading, Vitol is invested in infrastructure globally, with $10+billion invested in long-term assets.

Vitol’s customers include national oil companies, multinationals, leading industrial companies and utilities. Founded in Rotterdam in 1966, today Vitol serves its customers from some 40 offices worldwide. Revenues in 2024 were $331bn.

ATB is owned by Vitol and it is the 7th crude refinery plant in Malaysia. Located at Pontian, Johor Darul Ta'zim, the 32kbpd refinery, is well-positioned to supply both the local bunkering and growing energy markets across the region.

The refinery neighbours VTTI-owned ATB terminal which includes over 1m m3storage as well as 6 onsite jetties and can accommodate any size or type of tanker. This unique positioning enables us to offer our customers a secure and fully integrated supply chain, from production and blending of quality marine fuels, to storage and delivery.

Designed to be highly energy-efficient, the refinery deploys state-of-the-are technology including a distillation unit with a prefractionation column.

Job Description

Process Engineer will be responsible Provide support for process designs, process risk assessment, procedure preparation & implementation, health monitoring & testing of plant equipment, quality control of all streams, carry out trouble shooting/investigation to ensure reliability, integrity, regulatory compliance, and profit.

Responsibilities include:

• Prepares technical analysis of the Refinery processes including material balances and energy balances (Daily/Monthly/Yearly), identifying system bottlenecks, etc. for the purpose of good maintaining & improving refinery operations.
• Prepares preliminary economic analysis of the refinery processes including yield optimization, linear program modelling for refinery blending operations, economic justification for refinery capital projects, etc.
• Prepares technical analysis of individual refinery systems (water treating, flare, heat exchanger, etc.) as required. (May need to use computer simulation with HYSYS/ ASPEN etc.)
• Prepares technical analysis for Terminal systems (pipelines, pumping facility, cross contamination issues etc.) as required in both modification and new projects.
• Interfaces with the Refinery Manager, Technical/ Maintenance Manager, Operations Manager and Director in the overall safe, efficient and economic operation of the Refinery.
• Assists in troubleshooting processing related problems, identifying reasons and recommending remedial action.
• Identifies de-bottlenecking projects to increase refinery capacity as well as economic capital programs to enhance the overall value of the refinery.
• Carefully and precisely documents all processing analysis for future use and prepares analysis of theoretical vs. actual processing performance and makes recommendations to resolve differences. Recommend processing alternatives based on past history of refinery and feedstock specification.
• Based on economic market factors, runs linear program software optimizing the blending operations (both pre-processing and post-processing blending) to ensure the lowest cost-blending alternative is utilized in the refinery.
• Ensures that blended products meet required specifications. Compares theoretical vs. actual results and resolves differences between the two. Prepares analysis on the differences and documents the analysis for future reference.
• Carry out feasibility study and recommend on equipment modifications or new equipment installation proposals.
• Prepare preliminary specifications, drawings and discusses these with the Refinery technical staff.
• Assists in the preparation and implementation of detailed process related procedures and practices including shutdown, start-up, decoking, vessel entry, etc.
• Abides by all HSE polices as outlined in the Company HSE policy manual.
• Takes care of the process and safety review of all Management-of-Change works as well as acts as coordinator for all Management-of-Change works till released for construction / hold / cancellation.
• Lead “plant start-up safety review (PSSR)” for each new facility and startup after shutdown.
• Support Corrosion monitoring and controlling in the refinery and tank farm.
• Develop understanding of tank terminal operations to facilitate crude tank and product tank ullage planning and optimization.
• Performance monitoring and analysis through interpreting key operating envelopes, energy variables, margin variables, alarms and interlocks.
• Develop good understanding on the entire integrated complex, not just limited to the hydrocarbon processes, including processes to manage environmental emissions (Wastewater treatment plant, flue gas treatment etc.)

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
• At least 5 to 10 years of experience in the Refinery/petrochemical industry.
• Excellent computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, project management, linear programming, refinery simulation and miscellaneous technical and engineering software (pressure analysis, heat transfer, equipment sizing, etc.)

Personal Characteristics

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent written and oral technical presentation skills
• Global outlook. Able to work across organizational and cultural boundaries.
• Team player, with an open non-political style and a high level of personal integrity
• Energetic, resilient, and resourceful, with an ability to work accurately under pressure.

Additional Information

Only successful candidates will be contacted.