Last updated: September 2026
Process engineering interns at HF Sinclair have earned an estimated $46/hr (~$95,797/yr annualized) according to Glassdoor, while safety interns average $29.72/hr (47% above the national average) per Indeed. HF Sinclair (NYSE: DINO) operates seven complex oil refineries with a combined crude processing capacity of 678,000 barrels per stream day, plus three renewable diesel facilities producing 380 million gallons annually. With $26.9 billion in 2025 revenue, approximately 5,165 employees, and an S&P 400 listing, HF Sinclair is one of America's largest independent petroleum refiners. The Velocity Summer Internship is a 10-week paid program that places students into real refinery and corporate operations. A LinkedIn post from August 2026 confirmed that Velocity 2027 applications are expected to open in early September, which means the window is imminent. Glassdoor rates HF Sinclair 3.7/5 from 120 reviews, with intern reviews highlighting fair compensation and good exposure to complex engineering challenges.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | careers.hfsinclair.com/go/Early-Career. Contact the intern program directly: Allyson.Henthorn@HFSinclair.com |
| Application window (2027–28) | Expected to open early September 2026 (per HF Sinclair LinkedIn). No postings live as of late August 2026 |
| Rolling? | Likely rolling / campus-recruiting-driven (inferred). No hard deadline published. Apply early through the careers portal and campus career fairs |
| Eligibility | Current university student (undergraduate); Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, H&S, HR, Accounting, Procurement, IT, Internal Audit |
| Duration | 10 weeks (Velocity Summer Internship); 4–16 months (Lubricants & Specialties Co-Op) |
| Compensation | ~$29–$46/hr depending on track (Glassdoor/Indeed, small samples); general intern ~$22/hr (Glassdoor, 3 submissions) |
| Locations | Dallas, TX (HQ); El Dorado, KS; Tulsa, OK; Anacortes, WA; Artesia, NM; Sinclair, WY; Woods Cross, UT; Casper, WY |
| # Programs | Velocity Summer Internship (Engineering, EH&S, Corporate); Co-Op (Lubricants & Specialties, 4–16 months); Rotational Development Program (new grads, 24 months) |
The key fact: Velocity 2027 applications are expected to open in early September 2026. HF Sinclair recruits through campus career fairs and has a named recruiter contact. Email the recruiter now and apply the day the posting goes live.
Externships are short, remote professional experience programs where you finish a real project with a real company. The EIC Energy Transition Venture Capital Market Research Externship and the Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling Externship build exactly the energy-sector analysis and financial modeling evidence an HF Sinclair application needs. Explore all Externships.
What Is a HF Sinclair Internship?
An HF Sinclair internship is a paid, 10-week summer placement through the Velocity program at one of America's largest independent petroleum refiners. HF Sinclair Corporation (NYSE: DINO) was formed in March 2022 from the merger of HollyFrontier and Sinclair Oil, creating a company with five business segments: Refining, Renewables, Marketing, Lubricants & Specialties, and Midstream. The company operates seven refineries with a combined capacity of 678,000 barrels per stream day, three renewable diesel facilities producing 380 million gallons annually, and the iconic Sinclair brand with approximately 2,600+ gas stations featuring the green Brontosaurus "Dino" logo. With $26.9 billion in 2025 revenue and approximately 5,165 employees, HF Sinclair is an S&P 400 component headquartered in Dallas, TX under Chairman Franklin Myers. Velocity interns receive an individual project and daily tasks that contribute to real operations, whether at a refinery site or the corporate headquarters. High performers can enter the 24-month Rotational Development Program after graduation. The company's One HF Sinclair Culture is built on five values: Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, Ownership, and Inclusion.
When Do HF Sinclair Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
HF Sinclair's Velocity Summer Internship program runs a campus-recruiting-driven cycle that opens in early fall. A LinkedIn post from August 2026 confirmed that the Velocity 2026 program concluded and applications for the 2027 cycle are expected to open in early September. Based on industry norms for petroleum refining internships, expect the application window to run September through January, with the 10-week internship starting in late May or early June 2027. HF Sinclair recruits at universities across the mid-continent, Southwest, and Rocky Mountain regions, and the company has a named recruiter contact (Allyson Henthorn) who fields intern inquiries directly.
Velocity 2027 applications are expected to open in early September 2026 per HF Sinclair's LinkedIn. Monitor the Early Career page at careers.hfsinclair.com now and email Allyson.Henthorn@HFSinclair.com to express interest before postings go live. Set a LinkedIn alert for HF Sinclair internship postings.
Velocity intern postings expected for Engineering, EH&S, and Corporate tracks on the SuccessFactors career portal. Campus recruiting at universities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, and Washington. Attend career fairs for the best odds.
Interviews. The typical process involves a 20-minute phone screen with the Hiring Manager followed by a deeper panel conversation with the HM and a Vice President. Glassdoor rates difficulty at 2.58 out of 5 with 75% positive experiences. Average 26 days from application to offer.
Offers extended and onboarding. Pre-employment background check and drug test (hair follicle testing is standard for refinery positions) required before start. Confirm your assigned refinery site or Dallas HQ placement.
10 weeks, late May to early August 2027. Engineering interns receive an individual refinery-operations project plus daily tasks. Corporate interns work on business operations projects at Dallas headquarters. High performers enter the pipeline for the 24-month Rotational Development Program.
How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
HF Sinclair's LinkedIn announced that Velocity 2027 applications are expected to open in early September 2026. Oil refining internship recruiting is campus-driven, and HF Sinclair recruits at universities across the mid-continent, Southwest, and Rocky Mountain regions. The company has a named recruiter contact (Allyson Henthorn at Allyson.Henthorn@HFSinclair.com) and explicitly invites students to email for openings before they are posted publicly. With approximately 5,165 employees and a focused internship spanning seven refinery sites plus the Dallas headquarters, the Velocity class is small. Email the recruiter now, attend your university's fall career fair, and apply the day the posting goes live. The two-round interview process (phone screen plus VP panel) moves quickly at an average 26 days, so candidates who apply in week one of the window have the clearest path to an offer.
Which HF Sinclair Internship Programs Should You Target?
HF Sinclair offers multiple early-career pathways, from a focused 10-week summer internship to multi-year rotational programs. Which one to target depends on your academic timeline and whether you want a refinery site experience or a corporate headquarters placement.
| Program | Focus | Duration | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velocity Summer Internship (Engineering) | Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering at refinery sites; process optimization, safety, equipment reliability | 10 weeks | Paid; individual refinery-operations project + daily engineering tasks; on-site at assigned refinery |
| Velocity Summer Internship (EH&S) | Environmental, Health & Safety, Chemistry; environmental compliance, safety programs, hazard analysis | 10 weeks | Paid; on-site at refinery sites; exposure to PSM/RMP compliance |
| Velocity Summer Internship (Corporate) | HR, Accounting, Procurement, IT, Internal Audit; business operations projects | 10 weeks | Paid; based at Dallas, TX headquarters |
| Co-Op (Lubricants & Specialties) | Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, EH&S, Production, Marketing, Sales at L&S facilities | 4–16 months | Year-round availability for local students; extended project ownership |
| Rotational Development Program | Accounting, Procurement, Commercial, Internal Audit for recent graduates | 24 months | Four 6-month rotations across business areas; typically promoted to permanent position upon completion |
See all openings on the HF Sinclair Early Career page. The Velocity Summer Internship is the most accessible entry point for current students, while the Co-Op and Rotational Development programs suit candidates seeking longer commitments.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
HF Sinclair has not published a rigid eligibility checklist, but the Early Career page and historical postings point to the following:
• Enrollment: currently enrolled as an undergraduate university student seeking real-life experience in the energy industry.
• Majors (technical): Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Health & Safety.
• Majors (corporate): Human Resources, Accounting, Procurement, Information Technology, Internal Audit, Corporate Health & Safety.
• GPA: not published on any HF Sinclair intern posting or careers page. Industry norms suggest a minimum around 2.8–3.0, but no confirmed threshold exists.
• Work authorization: not explicitly stated on the careers page, but US work authorization is standard for refinery access positions. Drug testing and background checks are mandatory.
• Physical requirements (refinery roles): ability to wear PPE including hard hat, steel-toe boots, FRC clothing, and safety glasses; ability to climb stairs and ladders and work outdoors in refinery environments.
• Drug & alcohol testing: pre-employment testing mandatory, including hair follicle testing for refinery positions (confirmed by community reports). Background check required.
Does HF Sinclair Require a Minimum GPA?
No published GPA cutoff exists on the careers page or any intern posting. Industry norms for petroleum refining internships suggest a minimum around 2.8–3.0, but HF Sinclair has not confirmed a number. What matters more is safety awareness, engineering fundamentals, and genuine interest in the refining industry. The interview process is behavioral (STAR method), not academic. If your GPA is below 3.0, compensate with demonstrated safety training (OSHA 10/30-hour, PSM awareness), relevant project experience, and a clear understanding of downstream refinery operations.
What Skills Does HF Sinclair Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
HF Sinclair sits at the intersection of traditional petroleum refining and renewable energy production, and its Velocity intern hiring reflects that dual identity. The company's One HF Sinclair Culture values (Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, Ownership, Inclusion) run through every aspect of the program. Safety is the number one value, and every intern at a refinery site must demonstrate safety consciousness from day one. Engineering interns need process fundamentals (heat exchangers, distillation, reaction kinetics), while corporate interns need analytical and financial skills. Across all tracks, the emphasis is on self-starters who can learn quickly and contribute to real operations.
What HF Sinclair looks for in interns
Skills across 3 HF Sinclair intern & analyst job descriptions · HF Sinclair Velocity program description, Glassdoor intern reviews, and Early Career page
Method: analysis of HF Sinclair Velocity program description, Glassdoor intern reviews, and interview reports. Small sample (3 intern-specific data points); skills reflect the One HF Sinclair Culture values (Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, Ownership, Inclusion).
How Is Demand for Petroleum Refining & Energy Engineering Interns Moving Right Now?
Energy engineering intern hiring right now: September 2026
Across US energy, utilities, and refining intern postings tracked this month · aggregate market data, all employers
September 2026 marks the opening of the fall recruiting cycle for refining internships. The signal now is dual-portfolio knowledge: refiners with renewable diesel operations want candidates who can bridge conventional and clean-fuel engineering.
Method: aggregate analysis of US energy and refining engineering intern postings, September 2026. Sample indexes under half of all US postings; figures show direction and relative level, not total market share.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
And every skill in the chart maps to a remote Externship where you finish a real company project before the window opens.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Energy sector analysis & market research | Engineering, Commercial tracks: energy market evaluation, clean energy transition, venture analysis | EIC Energy Transition VC Market Research |
| Financial modeling & investment analysis | Accounting, Finance, Procurement tracks: capital allocation, financial analysis, modeling proficiency | Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling |
| IoT & cybersecurity for infrastructure | IT, Operations tracks: pipeline SCADA systems, remote monitoring security, infrastructure defense | Hydroficient IoT Cyber Defense |
How close is the overlap? The EIC externship delivers energy-sector market research in the same vocabulary HF Sinclair's commercial teams use, the Yinan Zhao project builds the Excel-based financial modeling that Accounting and Finance tracks require, and the Hydroficient project demonstrates IoT security awareness directly relevant to pipeline and refinery SCADA systems.
What Is the HF Sinclair Application and Interview Process Like?
HF Sinclair does not publish a step-by-step hiring timeline, but Glassdoor interview reports and the Early Career page suggest a two-round process averaging 26 days from application to offer:
1. Apply at careers.hfsinclair.com when Velocity 2027 postings go live (expected early September 2026). Email Allyson.Henthorn@HFSinclair.com to express interest before postings appear.
2. Set a job alert on the career portal for the Early Career category. Follow HF Sinclair on LinkedIn for Velocity program announcements.
3. Attend campus career fairs at universities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, and Washington where HF Sinclair recruiters are present. In-person and campus recruiting account for 43% of interviews.
4. Phone screen with Hiring Manager (round 1). A 20-minute call covering behavioral questions about your background, interest in HF Sinclair, and how you handle situations. Standard STAR-method format.
5. Panel interview with Hiring Manager and Vice President (round 2). A deeper behavioral and technical discussion. Engineering roles may include questions about process fundamentals. Expect questions like 'Explain a time when something didn't go as planned and what you did to correct it.'
6. Background check and drug test. Pre-employment testing is mandatory for all refinery positions, including hair follicle drug testing. This is standard across the petroleum refining industry.
The interview is conversational, not a case study or coding challenge. Glassdoor rates the difficulty at 2.58 out of 5, and 75% of candidates report a positive experience. Prepare STAR-method answers that weave in HF Sinclair's core values, especially Safety. Our HireVue question guide with a free AI mock tool covers the same behavioral-question format.
What the Community Says
HF Sinclair (and predecessor HollyFrontier) appears in refining and chemical engineering career discussions as a recognized mid-size independent refiner. Reddit content was sourced from search snippets; all takeaways are consensus paraphrased.
Candidate asking about an electrical technician role at HF Sinclair. Discussion covers company culture, compensation, and work environment at their facilities. The company is recognized as a solid downstream employer in the mid-continent region, with commenters comparing it to other midstream and downstream operators.
Chemical engineering student seeking internship targets. Commenter lists Sinclair/Holly Frontier among recommended downstream oil and gas operators alongside Exxon and Valero, noting that any internship is better than no internship. Confirms HF Sinclair is on the radar for chemical engineering students targeting refining internships.
Commenter confirms currently doing a co-op at HF Sinclair doing process control engineering at a downstream refinery. Validates active co-op and intern placements in process control engineering at refinery sites, providing direct evidence that the program delivers real engineering work.
How Do You Stand Out at an Independent Petroleum Refiner?
Three moves, all executable before fall 2026. First, learn HF Sinclair's One HF Sinclair Culture values: Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, Ownership, Inclusion. Lead with Safety in every interview answer because it is the company's number one value and refinery operations are inherently high-hazard. Mention a specific time you prioritized safety in a lab, project, or work setting. If you have OSHA 10/30-hour certification, PSM awareness, or confined space training, highlight it prominently. Second, demonstrate knowledge of the dual energy portfolio. HF Sinclair is not just a traditional refiner; it operates three renewable diesel facilities producing 380 million gallons per year. Show you understand the business case for renewable diesel (LCFS credits, RINs, lower-carbon fuel mandates) and how it complements conventional refining. This signals you think beyond just "oil and gas." Third, reference the specific refinery you are applying to. If applying for El Dorado, know it is a 135,000 barrel-per-day coking refinery. If applying for Anacortes, know it was acquired from Shell in 2021 and processes Pacific Northwest crude. This level of specificity separates you from generic applicants who say they want to work "in energy" without understanding what HF Sinclair actually does.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
HF Sinclair's peer set spans independent petroleum refiners, all with summer internship programs that recruit from the same engineering and business candidate pool.
- Valero Energylargest independent US refiner with 15 refineries and ~3.2 million barrels/day capacity; well-known summer internship programGuide →
- Marathon Petroleumlargest US refiner by total capacity (~3M bbl/d, 13 refineries); named Top 100 Internship Program for three consecutive yearsGuide →
- Phillips 66diversified downstream energy company with an 11-week internship program offering relocation assistance and competitive compensationGuide →
- PBF Energymid-size independent refiner with 6 refineries (~1M bbl/d); most direct size peer to HF Sinclair in the independent refining spaceCareers site
Our sustainability and energy internships summer 2027 guide maps the full landscape of energy opportunities, timeline by timeline.
FAQ
Can I still apply for a summer 2026 HF Sinclair internship?
No. The Velocity 2026 program has concluded. The next cycle is summer 2027, with applications expected to open in early September 2026 based on HF Sinclair's LinkedIn announcement. Monitor the Early Career page at careers.hfsinclair.com and email Allyson.Henthorn@HFSinclair.com to express interest before postings go live.
How much do HF Sinclair interns get paid?
Compensation varies by role. Process engineering interns earn an estimated $45 to $46 per hour according to Glassdoor (1 salary submission), while safety interns average $29.72 per hour per Indeed (3 job postings). General intern salaries on Glassdoor range from $35,000 to $60,000 annualized from 3 submissions. HF Sinclair has not published an official intern pay scale, so confirm rates during the offer stage.
What is the HF Sinclair Velocity internship?
A 10-week paid summer program where university students receive an individual project and daily tasks that contribute to real refinery or business operations. Engineering interns work at refinery sites across Kansas, Oklahoma, Washington, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah. Corporate interns work at the Dallas, Texas headquarters on business operations projects.
What majors does HF Sinclair recruit for internships?
Technical roles target Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Health and Safety majors. Corporate internships recruit from Accounting, Human Resources, Procurement, Information Technology, and Internal Audit. The Lubricants and Specialties co-op also accepts Marketing and Sales students for 4-to-16-month terms.
What is the HF Sinclair internship interview like?
Expect a two-round process. The first round is a 20-minute phone call with the hiring manager covering behavioral questions in STAR format. The second is a deeper conversation with the hiring manager and a vice president. Glassdoor rates difficulty at 2.58 out of 5 with 75 percent of candidates reporting a positive experience. Average time from application to offer is 26 days.
Where are HF Sinclair internships located?
Interns may be placed at the Dallas corporate headquarters or at any of seven refinery sites in El Dorado Kansas, Tulsa Oklahoma, Anacortes Washington, Artesia New Mexico, Sinclair Wyoming, Woods Cross Utah, or Casper Wyoming. Renewable diesel facilities in Wyoming and New Mexico may also host technical interns.
Can an HF Sinclair internship lead to a full-time job?
HF Sinclair does not publish a conversion rate, but the Velocity program is designed as a talent pipeline. The company offers a 24-month Rotational Development Program for recent graduates with four 6-month rotations across Accounting, Procurement, Commercial, and Internal Audit. Strong performers who align with the One HF Sinclair Culture values are positioned for full-time offers.
Is HF Sinclair the same company as HollyFrontier?
Yes. HollyFrontier merged with Sinclair Oil Corporation in March 2022 to form HF Sinclair Corporation, now trading on the NYSE under ticker DINO. The combined company inherited HollyFrontier's refining and lubricants operations plus Sinclair's branded gas station network with the iconic green Brontosaurus logo and two additional Wyoming refineries. Legacy HollyFrontier internship experience still applies.
HF Sinclair's Velocity 2027 applications are expected to open in early September 2026, and the company recruits through campus career fairs across the mid-continent and Mountain West. Use the runway to build proof: a remote Externship in energy market research or financial modeling turns "interested in petroleum refining" into a finished project your fall 2026 application can point at.
About the Author
Bifei Wang has spent 17 years focused on human flow and the growth of young professionals, spanning international education, career training and coaching, and recruitment process outsourcing. Over 7 years at Extern, he has had one-on-one sessions with thousands of students exploring careers in consulting, finance, tech, marketing, and data, giving him a firsthand view of how the job market has shifted for early-career professionals and what it actually takes to break in.
