Chemical Engineering Student - Projects

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Canadian Natural Resources seeks a Chemical Engineering Student for an onsite 8 or 12 month term in Calgary or Fort McMurray within the Oil Sands Projects team, spanning Bitumen Production, Upgrading and Utilities. You will gain hands on process engineering exposure under a Senior Process Engineer, delivering simulations, PFDs and P&IDs, data gathering and design inputs, and coordinating with Operations, Maintenance and Safety. Applicants must be enrolled in chemical engineering, familiar with material and energy balances and PFDs/P&IDs, and have experience with Hysys or UNISIM plus a valid Alberta Class 5 license; field exposure is a plus. Apply with resume, cover letter and unofficial transcripts and note willingness to relocate.

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!

If you are interested in this exciting student work term opportunity, please include your resume, cover letter and unofficial transcripts as part of your online application.

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.

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!