Process Engineer, Refinery Operations

Do you want to help shape the refinery of the future?

The energy industry is undergoing a historic transformation, where sustainability, energy efficiency, and profitable production are becoming increasingly important. Success requires advanced process engineering expertise, curiosity, and a continuous focus on improvement.

At VAROPreem, you will have the opportunity to optimize some of the most complex process facilities in the Nordics. You will work close to the operations and play an important role in developing operational performance, safety, energy efficiency, and environmental performance, while contributing to the refinery's long-term competitiveness and transformation.

We are looking for someone who wants to combine analytical problem-solving with practical business improvement in an environment where your recommendations and decisions have a direct impact on production. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with advanced process technologies, investment projects, and development initiatives within a business that plays a vital role in Sweden's energy supply.

About the role

As a Process Engineer, Refinery Operations, you will be responsible for the technical performance and continuous development of one or more process units. You will monitor and analyze operations, identify improvement opportunities, and ensure that facilities are operated safely, energy efficiently, and in the most economically optimal way.

You will work closely with colleagues across Operations, Maintenance, Production Planning, and Project Management. The role also involves collaboration with suppliers, licensors, contractors, and consultants, where you will contribute technical expertise and act as a subject matter expert within your area of responsibility.

As a Process Engineer, you will play a key role in both day-to-day operations and the refinery's long-term development. You will provide decision support for operational matters while participating in strategic initiatives, investment projects, and facility modifications. The position is based at our refinery in Lysekil, Sweden.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Monitor, analyze, and optimize operations within one or more process units.
  
• Conduct process engineering studies, simulations, and test runs.
  
• Develop decision-making material and recommendations related to operations, investments, and development initiatives.
  
• Identify and drive improvements in safety, energy performance, environmental performance, and profitability.
  
• Participate in and lead investment projects, contributing process design expertise and defining technical requirements.
  
• Support the operations organization during start-ups, shutdowns, and process changes.
  
• Monitor and report process-related KPIs.
  
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and the development of process engineering capabilities across the organization.
  

What we offer

This is a role for someone who wants to work at the heart of refinery operations while helping shape the energy solutions of the future.

With us, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work with advanced process technologies in a complex industrial environment.
  
• Make a significant impact on operational performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
  
• Participate in strategically important investment and development projects.
  
• Collaborate with some of the industry's most experienced specialists.
  
• Build a broad professional network across the organization and with external stakeholders.
  
• Be part of the transition shaping the future energy system.
  

Your background

We are looking for someone who holds an MSc degree in Chemical Engineering or an equivalent university degree.

You have experience from the process industry and have worked with process engineering analysis, optimization, or technical investigations.

We also expect you to have:

• A strong understanding of process engineering principles.
  
• Experience in analyzing and improving industrial processes.
  
• Proficiency in Swedish at a minimum CEFR level C1 and English at a minimum CEFR level B2, as required for the role.
  
• A valid driver's license (Category B).
  

Experience from refinery operations, process simulation, energy optimization, or investment projects is considered an advantage, as is experience with tools such as Petro-SIM or HYSYS.

Who are you?

You are an analytical and accountable professional who enjoys solving complex problems and turning data into insights and well-founded recommendations. You have a strong focus on safety and a genuine interest in process technology and continuous improvement.

You are a collaborative individual who builds strong relationships with colleagues and external partners. You are humble, curious, and able to maintain a broad perspective while driving initiatives forward. You challenge established ways of working in a constructive manner and see opportunities where others see limitations.

Next steps

We look forward to receiving your application as soon as possible, but no later than 6 September 2026. Please submit your CV and answer the screening questions as part of your application. To ensure objective assessments, we use psychometric assessments during the selection process. As we apply continuous selection, the position may be filled before the application deadline.

If you have questions about the role, please contact Stefan Pantzare, Acting Head of Process Technology, at stefan.pantzare@varopreem.se .

If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Hanna Gahnhed, Recruitment Partner, whose contact details can be found further down in the application.

As VAROPreem operates critical infrastructure, a background check as well as alcohol and drug testing will be conducted before employment can be offered. Candidates invited to interview must be able to present valid identification in the form of a passport or national ID card, alternatively a population registration certificate together with a valid driver's license. Some positions may require a security clearance process, including a background screening in accordance with the Swedish Security Protection Act.

Information about union representatives can be found here: här .

We look forward to receiving your application.