Last updated: September 2026
PBF Energy (NYSE: PBF) is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers of unbranded transportation fuels in the United States, operating six domestic refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 1 million barrels per day. Headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, the company generates billions in annual revenue and employs approximately 3,700 people across refineries in Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, Louisiana, and California. PBF's internship program places engineering students directly on refinery operations, where they work on process optimization, mechanical integrity, and capital projects at industrial-scale facilities that convert crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and petrochemical feedstocks.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | PBF Energy careers portal and Indeed/LinkedIn for cross-posted listings |
| Application window (2027-28) | Expected fall 2026 through spring 2027 |
| Rolling? | Likely rolling; refinery internships fill as candidates are identified |
| Eligibility | Currently enrolled in chemical, mechanical, or process engineering program |
| Duration | 10-12 weeks (summer); spring/fall semesters also available |
| Compensation | $33-$42/hr (from JD listings); top-tier for independent refiners |
| Locations | Delaware City DE, Paulsboro NJ, Toledo OH, Chalmette LA, Torrance CA, Martinez CA |
| # Programs | Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, Operations |
PBF pays $33-$42/hr for engineering interns, among the highest in the independent refining sector. Positions are at refinery sites. Apply in fall 2026 for summer 2027 placements.
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 builds energy industry analysis skills relevant to PBF's refining operations. Explore all Externships.
What Is a PBF Energy Internship?
A PBF Energy internship is a paid summer placement at one of the largest independent petroleum refiners in the United States, working directly on refinery operations at facilities processing up to 1 million barrels per day. Interns in process engineering, mechanical engineering, and project management work alongside experienced engineers on real capital projects, turnaround planning, and process optimization. PBF operates six refineries across five states, giving interns exposure to large-scale industrial manufacturing in the energy sector. The company pays $33-$42/hr for engineering interns, making it one of the highest-paying independent refiner internships.
When Do PBF Energy Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
PBF Energy recruits engineering interns for placements at its six refinery locations. Postings typically appear on job boards and the company's careers portal in fall through spring. The refining industry recruits on a standard engineering timeline, with campus career fairs and online applications running October through February. Summer internships run approximately 10-12 weeks starting in May or June.
Summer 2027 intern postings are expected soon. Build process engineering, mechanical engineering, or project management skills. Set alerts on PBF Energy's careers page and major job boards.
Engineering intern postings expected across PBF's six refineries. Process engineering, mechanical engineering, and project management are the primary tracks. Apply through the careers portal and attend campus career fairs.
Phone screens and interviews. Expect technical questions about chemical/process engineering fundamentals, safety awareness, and behavioral questions about teamwork in industrial environments.
Offers extended on a rolling basis. Refinery location confirmed at offer stage. Some refineries are in industrial areas with lower cost of living (Delaware City, Toledo, Chalmette).
10-12 weeks at a PBF refinery. Work on process optimization, mechanical integrity, capital projects, and turnaround planning at facilities processing hundreds of thousands of barrels per day. Safety training is mandatory on day one.
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
PBF operates just six refineries with approximately 3,700 total employees. The intern class at any single refinery is small, meaning each position fills quickly once posted. Engineering roles at the most desirable locations (Torrance CA, Paulsboro NJ) attract the most applicants. Apply in the first two weeks of postings appearing for maximum location and track selection.
Which PBF Energy Internship Programs Should You Target?
PBF hires engineering interns at its six refinery locations:
| Track | Focus | Duration | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process Engineering Intern | Refinery process optimization, yield improvement, unit monitoring, troubleshooting | 10-12 weeks | All six refineries; $33-$42/hr |
| Mechanical Engineering Intern | Equipment reliability, rotating equipment, fixed equipment inspection, turnaround planning | 10-12 weeks | Refinery locations; ChemE or ME required |
| Project Management Intern | Capital project coordination, contractor management, construction oversight at refinery sites | 10-12 weeks | Refinery locations; engineering degree preferred |
| Operations Intern | Refinery operations support, data analysis, production scheduling | 10-12 weeks | Refinery locations |
PBF also offers spring and fall semester positions. Visit the careers portal for current openings.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Based on PBF Energy intern JDs:
• Enrollment: currently enrolled in a chemical, mechanical, or process engineering program.
• Class year: rising juniors and seniors preferred; graduate students eligible.
• GPA: 3.0+ preferred based on refining industry norms.
• Work authorization: must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Safety: must pass pre-employment drug screening and be willing to work in an industrial refinery environment with PPE requirements.
Does PBF Require Chemical Engineering Specifically?
Process engineering roles strongly prefer chemical engineering majors, but mechanical engineering is equally valued for mechanical integrity and rotating equipment positions. Project management roles accept broader engineering backgrounds. If you are a ChemE or ME major with any process industry experience (lab, internship, co-op), you are well-positioned.
What Skills Does PBF Energy Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
PBF interns work in one of the most complex industrial environments in manufacturing: petroleum refining. Process engineering interns optimize distillation columns, catalytic crackers, and hydrotreaters. Mechanical engineering interns inspect and maintain equipment operating under extreme temperatures and pressures. Safety awareness is non-negotiable.
What PBF Energy looks for in interns
Skills across 6 PBF Energy intern & analyst job descriptions · PBF Energy intern JDs and refining industry requirements (2024-2026)
Method: PBF Energy intern JDs from Zippia and Indeed, refining industry norm analysis.
How Is Demand for Refining Interns Moving?
Petroleum refining intern hiring: September 2026
Across US refining intern postings
Chemical and mechanical engineering students with safety awareness and process industry interest are best positioned for refining internships.
Method: aggregate refining intern postings, September 2026.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
Skills that map to remote Externships.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Energy industry analysis | Refinery economics, crude oil processing, fuel product markets | EIC Energy Transition VC Market Research |
| Data visualization & reporting | Process data analysis, production metrics, safety dashboards | Center for Improving Youth Justice Data Visualization |
| Financial modeling | Capital project evaluation, refinery investment analysis | Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling |
The EIC Energy Transition project builds the energy industry analytical framework PBF's engineers use to evaluate refinery investments.
What Is the PBF Energy Application and Interview Process Like?
PBF recruits through its careers portal and campus events:
1. Search for intern postings. Check PBF Energy's careers portal, Indeed, and LinkedIn for engineering intern roles at specific refinery locations.
2. Submit your application. Highlight process engineering coursework, lab experience, and safety training.
3. Phone screen. Initial conversation about your engineering background and interest in refining.
4. Technical interview. Process engineering fundamentals, safety scenarios, and behavioral questions about working in industrial environments.
5. Offer and refinery assignment. Offers include the specific refinery location. Complete pre-employment drug screening.
Research PBF's refinery operations and understand the basics of crude oil processing before your interview. Knowing the difference between atmospheric and vacuum distillation demonstrates genuine interest.
What the Community Says
PBF Energy intern discussion is limited, but compensation data and refining industry community provide context:
PBF Energy engineering interns earn 33 to 42 dollars per hour based on job description listings, placing the company among the highest-paying independent refiner internships. This pay reflects the specialized chemical engineering skills and industrial environment that refinery work requires.
The refining industry offers rapid career progression for engineers who start as interns. Experienced process engineers at independent refiners can reach senior technical roles or transition into operations management within 5 to 8 years of starting as an intern.
How Do You Stand Out at a 1-Million-Barrel-Per-Day Refiner?
Two moves. First, demonstrate safety-first thinking. Refinery work involves hazardous materials, extreme temperatures, and high pressures. Every interview includes safety-related questions. If you have OSHA 10/30 certification, process safety coursework, or lab safety experience, lead with it. PBF will not hire an intern who does not take safety seriously. Second, know the refining basics. Understand what a refinery does (converts crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemical feedstocks through distillation, cracking, and treating). Reference PBF's specific refineries by name and capacity if you can. A candidate who knows that Delaware City processes approximately 190,000 barrels per day demonstrates more interest than one who says they want to work in energy.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
PBF's peer set spans independent petroleum refiners.
- Marathon Petroleumlargest US refiner by throughput capacity; 13 refineries; structured intern programGuide →
- Phillips 66diversified energy company with 12 refineries, chemicals, and midstream operationsGuide →
- Valero Energylargest independent refiner globally by throughput; 15 US refineries; engineering interns earn $34-$42/hrCareers site
- HF Sinclairindependent refiner with 7 refineries; Holly Frontier heritage; similar size to PBFCareers site
Our energy internships guide maps refining and energy opportunities.
FAQ
How much do PBF Energy interns get paid?
Job description listings show $33 to $42 per hour for engineering interns, among the highest in the independent refining sector. Pay reflects the specialized chemical engineering skills and industrial environment that refinery work requires.
Where are PBF Energy internships located?
At PBF's six refineries: Delaware City, Delaware; Paulsboro, New Jersey; Toledo, Ohio; Chalmette, Louisiana; Torrance, California; and Martinez, California. All positions are onsite at refinery facilities.
When should I apply for a PBF Energy internship?
Apply in fall 2026 for summer 2027 placements. Engineering intern postings typically appear on job boards and the careers portal in October through February. Refinery positions fill on a rolling basis.
What majors does PBF hire for internships?
Chemical engineering and mechanical engineering are the primary disciplines. Process engineering roles strongly prefer ChemE majors. Project management and operations roles may accept broader engineering backgrounds.
Does PBF Energy require safety training?
Yes. All refinery interns complete safety orientation on day one, including personal protective equipment training, hazard communication, and emergency procedures. Prior OSHA certification or process safety coursework is advantageous.
Can a PBF Energy internship lead to a full-time job?
No official conversion rate is published. The refining industry has ongoing demand for process and mechanical engineers. Strong intern performance at a specific refinery positions you for full-time consideration at that location.
Does PBF provide housing for refinery interns?
No public data on housing assistance was found. Many PBF refinery locations are in areas with moderate to lower cost of living. Plan for independent housing arrangements.
What is the PBF Energy internship interview like?
Expect technical questions about chemical and process engineering fundamentals, safety scenarios, and behavioral questions about teamwork in industrial environments. Demonstrate that you understand refinery operations and take safety seriously.
PBF's $33-$42/hr engineering intern pay reflects the complexity and responsibility of refinery work. A remote Externship in energy industry analysis or data visualization gives your fall 2026 application proof that you can think about industrial-scale operations.
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.
