Refinery Planning Economist at Saudi Aramco – Saudi Arabia 2026

Job Overview

Saudi Aramco, one of the world's leading integrated energy and chemicals enterprises, is seeking a highly analytical and strategic Refinery Planning Economist to join the Jazan Refining & Petrochemical Power Operations Department.

Operating at the critical intersection of refinery engineering and global energy economics, this role is essential for driving the commercial success of Saudi Aramco’s downstream portfolio in Jazan. As a Refinery Planning Economist, your primary objective is to maximize operational profitability by optimizing the crude slate selection, tuning unit throughputs, and managing the final product blend. Utilizing advanced Linear Programming (LP) software and multi-variable financial models, you will balance real-time market data, logistics constraints, and plant capabilities to generate high-yield, short-term and long-term operating plans.

Vacancy Details & Baseline Criteria

• Job Title: Refinery Planning Economist
• Job Location: Jazan, Saudi Arabia
• Department: Jazan Refining & Petrochemical Power Operations Department
• Employment Type: Full-Time (Exact schedule to be specified in the formal job offer)

Minimum Educational Requirements:

• Degree: Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline from an approved and recognized university.
• Preferred Academic Additions: An advanced degree (Master's or MBA) in Economics, Finance, or Business Administration is highly advantageous.

Required Experience & Technical Skills

• Industry Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years of direct experience in refinery planning, optimization, and economic evaluation within a major downstream refining or petrochemical complex.
• Linear Programming (LP) Expertise: Advanced proficiency in building, executing, and troubleshooting refinery LP models using industry-standard platforms such as Aspen PIMS (Process Industry Modeling System) or Haverly GRTMPS.
• Downstream Domain Knowledge: A profound understanding of refinery configuration, conversion unit operations (Fluid Catalytic Cracking, Hydrocracking, Coking), product blending dynamics, and international fuel specifications.
• Commercial & Market Acumen: Deep familiarity with global crude oil pricing mechanics, product netback calculations, shipping logistics, and refining margin benchmarks (e.g., crack spreads).
• Data Analytics & Reporting: Practical experience utilizing data extraction, visualization, and spreadsheet modeling (Excel, Power BI, SAP) to translate complex linear math into actionable corporate briefs.

Key Responsibilities & Job Duties

• Develop, run, and continuously update the refinery’s Monthly Operating Plan (MOP) and long-range strategic economic frameworks using Linear Programming (LP) tools.
• Evaluate the marginal economics of alternative crude slates and intermediate feedstocks to determine the most profitable refinery diet based on current market pricing.
• Perform routine back-testing and gap analysis comparing actual refinery performance metrics against LP model predictions to improve baseline model accuracy.
• Analyze global market trends, product demand shifts, and crack spreads to optimize refinery unit severities and blending components for maximum economic return.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Procurement, Supply Chain, and Operations departments to align feedstock arrivals and product liftings with the optimized schedule.
• Conduct detailed Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) feasibility studies, process economics evaluations, and structural sensitivity analyses for proposed refinery modifications or expansions.
• Track, evaluate, and report daily and weekly Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to gross refining margins, energy consumption, and volumetric yields.
• Mentor, train, and transfer downstream economic optimization knowledge to younger engineering professionals within the asset workforce.

Working Environment & Benefits

Saudi Aramco provides a highly rewarding, collaborative, and globally competitive professional working environment. Downstream planning teams manage complex configurations utilizing unmatched industrial technology investments. Financial remuneration packages, international relocation assistance, tax-protected savings schemes, comprehensive medical networks, and premium housing allocations match the elite expectations of this business-critical path.

How to Apply Online

1. Eligible downstream engineering and finance professionals should visit the official digital application portal directly at: https://careers.aramco.com/expat_us/job/Refinery-Planning-Economist/857099923/
2. Complete the online digital candidate profile, ensuring all employment history and academic criteria are accurately filled out.
3. Upload your updated CV, a detailed portfolio highlighting past margin-optimization achievements or LP modeling projects managed, and copies of relevant professional certifications.

Important Dates

• Job Posting Start Date: May 1, 2026
• Job Status: Dec 31, 2026

Expert Advice for Applicants

• Highlight PIMS Calibration Experience: Don't just say you run LP models. The screening team values estimators who know how to calibrate a model. Explicitly highlight your experience in updating LP vectors, adjusting yield structures based on real plant trial runs, and closing the gap between PIMS predictions and actual plant yields.
• Quantify Your Margin Contributions: Economics is entirely about the bottom line. When detailing your past roles, showcase quantified achievements using industry terminology, such as: "Optimized the heavy crude blend ratio during a high-spread market window, increasing the gross refining margin by $0.15 per barrel."

Emphasize Interdisciplinary Communication: A planning economist sits between pure engineers and corporate traders. Structure your resume to show you can translate complex chemical engineering constraints (like catalyst deactivation rates or metallurgical temperature limits) into simple, high-level financial risk profiles for executive decision-makers.