Senior Process Engineer Jobs Middle East | Refinery RFCC, CDU, Hydro processing Careers
Senior Process Engineering Roles Across Major Refinery Units
The Middle East continues to be a global powerhouse in the oil & gas and downstream petrochemical industry. With ongoing refinery expansions, brownfield upgrades, energy transition projects, and integration of advanced process technologies, there is a significant demand for highly skilled Senior Process Engineers across multiple refinery units.
On behalf of our client, we are pleased to announce multiple Senior Engineer – Process vacancies for large-scale refinery operations in the Middle East. These positions offer competitive tax-free salaries, world-class infrastructure exposure, and opportunities to work on high-complexity refining technologies.
If you are an experienced refinery professional with strong exposure to RFCC, CDU, Hydroprocessing, Hydrogen units, Alkylation, Utilities, and Gas Processing units, this is your opportunity to advance your international oil & gas career.
Open Positions
Sr. Engineer Process – RFCC
Sr. Engineer Process – CDU
Sr. Engineer Process – MHC
Sr. Engineer Process – CCR
Sr. Engineer Process – NHT and PENEX
Sr. Engineer Process – PRU and RFCC Gas Concentration
Sr. Engineer Process – RGD
Sr. Engineer Process – Alkylation Block
Sr. Engineer Process – HGU
Sr. Engineer Process – Utility
1️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – RFCC (Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking)
The Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) unit plays a critical role in converting heavy residual feedstock into valuable lighter products such as gasoline, LPG, and propylene. This is a technically demanding role requiring deep knowledge of catalyst performance, reaction kinetics, and unit optimization.
Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor and optimize RFCC reactor-regenerator performance.
- Manage catalyst selection, activity monitoring, and regeneration efficiency.
- Analyze product yields, selectivity, and conversion ratios.
- Conduct root cause analysis for operational upsets.
- Lead process simulation using Aspen HYSYS or similar tools.
- Optimize LPG and propylene recovery for maximum profitability.
- Coordinate turnaround planning and catalyst loading activities.
- Ensure compliance with environmental emission standards.
Required Expertise:
- Strong knowledge of cracking chemistry and fluidization.
- Experience in advanced process control (APC) strategies.
- Familiarity with refinery energy optimization and heat integration.
2️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – CDU (Crude Distillation Unit)
The Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) is the backbone of any refinery. This role focuses on crude oil fractionation, feedstock flexibility, and energy efficiency improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Optimize crude blending strategies.
- Monitor furnace efficiency and heat exchanger performance.
- Improve distillation cut-point accuracy and product recovery.
- Minimize corrosion and fouling issues.
- Conduct process hazard analysis (PHA).
- Improve crude slate flexibility for economic margin enhancement.
Required Expertise:
- Experience with atmospheric and vacuum distillation systems.
- Knowledge of desalting operations.
- Proficiency in crude assay evaluation and refinery LP models.
3️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – MHC (Mild Hydrocracking)
MHC units convert heavy gas oils into middle distillates such as diesel and jet fuel.
Key Responsibilities:
- Optimize hydrogen consumption and catalyst life.
- Monitor reactor temperature profiles and pressure drop.
- Improve diesel yield and cetane number quality.
- Conduct catalyst change-out planning.
- Implement operational troubleshooting strategies.
Required Expertise:
- Knowledge of hydrocracking kinetics.
- Experience with high-pressure reactor systems.
- Understanding of hydrogen balance optimization.
4️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – CCR (Continuous Catalytic Reformer)
CCR units upgrade naphtha into high-octane gasoline and produce hydrogen.
Key Responsibilities:
- Optimize octane number improvement.
- Monitor catalyst regeneration cycles.
- Manage hydrogen purity and recovery.
- Improve reformate yield and aromatics content.
- Conduct performance testing and heat balance validation.
Required Expertise:
- Deep understanding of reforming chemistry.
- Experience with catalyst deactivation and coke management.
- Familiarity with hydrogen network optimization.
5️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – NHT and PENEX
NHT (Naphtha Hydrotreating) and PENEX (Isomerization) units enhance gasoline quality.
Key Responsibilities:
- Remove sulfur and nitrogen contaminants.
- Optimize isomerization conversion rates.
- Improve gasoline RON without increasing benzene.
- Manage hydrogen consumption and recycle streams.
- Support Euro-V and ultra-low sulfur fuel compliance.
Required Expertise:
- Strong knowledge of hydroprocessing fundamentals.
- Experience in sulfur removal and catalyst management.
- Understanding of gasoline blending economics.
6️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – PRU and RFCC Gas Concentration
PRU (Propylene Recovery Unit) and Gas Concentration Units handle light ends recovery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Optimize propylene purity.
- Improve LPG fractionation efficiency.
- Reduce flare losses.
- Manage compressor performance and energy optimization.
- Enhance C3/C4 recovery margins.
Required Expertise:
- Knowledge of cryogenic separation.
- Experience in gas compression and fractionation columns.
- Understanding of refinery gas balance.
7️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – RGD (Residue Gas Desulfurization)
RGD units reduce sulfur content from heavy residues.
Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor sulfur removal efficiency.
- Optimize catalyst performance.
- Ensure compliance with emission standards.
- Improve hydrogen utilization efficiency.
- Conduct troubleshooting during shutdown/startup.
Required Expertise:
- Strong hydrodesulfurization knowledge.
- Experience in high-pressure reactors.
- Familiarity with environmental regulatory compliance.
8️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – Alkylation Block
The Alkylation unit produces high-octane gasoline blendstock.
Key Responsibilities:
- Optimize alkylate yield.
- Manage acid catalyst (HF or Sulfuric).
- Ensure safety compliance for hazardous acid systems.
- Improve reactor efficiency and minimize acid consumption.
- Conduct performance monitoring and economic evaluation.
Required Expertise:
- Knowledge of alkylation chemistry.
- Experience in acid regeneration systems.
- Strong safety management background.
9️⃣ Sr. Engineer Process – HGU (Hydrogen Generation Unit)
HGU units produce hydrogen for hydroprocessing units.
Key Responsibilities:
- Optimize steam methane reformer performance.
- Improve hydrogen purity.
- Manage PSA systems.
- Reduce energy intensity.
- Monitor carbon emissions.
Required Expertise:
- Experience in SMR operations.
- Knowledge of reforming catalysts.
- Familiarity with decarbonization initiatives.
🔟 Sr. Engineer Process – Utility
Utility systems ensure refinery operational continuity.
Key Responsibilities:
- Steam and power system optimization.
- Boiler efficiency improvement.
- Water treatment and cooling tower management.
- Energy integration and cost reduction.
- Reliability and availability enhancement.
Required Expertise:
- Knowledge of power distribution systems.
- Experience in CHP plants.
- Understanding of refinery energy balance.
Why Work in the Middle East?
- Tax-free salary packages
- Family status and relocation benefits
- Exposure to mega refinery complexes
- International career growth
- World-class safety standards
- Long-term contract stability
The Middle East refining sector continues to invest in modernization, digital transformation, predictive maintenance, and advanced process control systems. Senior process engineers with refinery optimization, troubleshooting, and project commissioning expertise are in high demand.
Candidate Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering
- 10–20 years of refinery process experience
- Experience in mega refinery complexes
- Strong knowledge of Aspen HYSYS / Petro-SIM
- Familiarity with refinery LP models
- Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills
- Strong communication and cross-functional leadership ability
How to Apply
Interested candidates with relevant refinery experience are invited to share their updated CV with:
Resource Executive – Sofomation Energy Consultants Pvt Ltd
📧 Email: Supriya.k@sofomation.com
Please mention the specific unit you are applying for in the subject line.
Final Thoughts
This is a premium opportunity for senior refinery professionals seeking career growth in the global downstream energy sector. If you have experience in CDU, RFCC, Hydrocracking, Hydrogen Generation, Alkylation, or Utility operations, now is the time to take your expertise to an international platform.
The Middle East remains one of the most competitive and technologically advanced refining regions in the world. Join a team that drives operational excellence, energy optimization, and refinery profitability at scale.
Apply today and accelerate your oil & gas career to the next level.