Specialist II, Lab Chemist, Ferndale Refinery

Phillips 66 & YOU - Together we can fuel the future

As a Chemist Specialist II, you will play a key role in ensuring our products and processes meet rigorous quality, safety, and regulatory standards through advanced laboratory testing and analysis. You will work with a high degree of independence, provide technical guidance to others, and partner closely with operations, engineering, and commercial teams to keep our refinery running safely and reliably. In this role, you’ll help shape lab practices, training, and continuous improvement initiatives that support Our Energy in Action and the broader success of Phillips 66.

What You’ll Do

• Lead complex laboratory testing and quality assurance activities to verify that products and processes meet internal standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements, interpreting data and recommending corrective actions when needed.
• Design, validate, and improve specialized test methods and procedures, using advanced analytical equipment and quality tools to enhance accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of lab results.
• Provide analytical and QA/QC support to operations, engineering, and commercial groups, translating lab data into clear recommendations that support safe, reliable, and optimized refinery operations.
• Own key laboratory quality systems and documentation, including LIMS testing and scheduling, QA/QC reporting, and the development, review, and maintenance of standard operating procedures and quality policies.
• Lead and support lab safety and compliance efforts by promoting safe work practices, facilitating or participating in safety meetings, and contributing to audits and inspections to ensure adherence to refinery and regulatory requirements.
• Calibrate, standardize, and troubleshoot complex analytical instruments and methods to maintain equipment readiness, data integrity, and reliable performance for both routine and specialized testing.
• Develop and deliver training for lab technicians in assigned areas, providing technical guidance, coaching, and feedback to build skills and drive consistent, high-quality laboratory practices.
• Analyze quality and process data, prepare insights and performance reports, and recommend action plans that improve work processes, reduce defects, and enhance customer and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and external partners to resolve complex quality issues, support incident investigations, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the refinery.
•  Provide vacation relief for the laboratory supervisor and other area chemists.

What You’ll Bring – Required

• Legally authorized to work in the job posting country
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 3 or more years of experience in performing testing in a laboratory
• Intermediate or greater proficiency using tools such as Labvantage (LIMS), SAP, and Microsoft 365 (including Excel, Power BI, Power Automate, and Teams)
• Possess a valid driver's license
• Willing and able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC)
• Work extended hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, and perform 1 week per month on-call duties. Must be within 1 hour of refinery and able to respond and arrive on site within 1 hour for HF acid testing
• Must be willing and able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to comply with the following
  • Travel up to 5%
  • Operate company vehicle on site premises and/or public roads up to 5%
  • Work extended hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, and perform occasional on-call duties
  • Transport articles up to 50 pounds
  • Climb ladders and stairs up to 200 feet
  • Work safely near large, hot, high-speed machines, around chemicals and hydrocarbons under high pressure and heat, and in harsh weather conditions.
  • Wear fire retardant clothing and personal protective equipment
  • Maintain face daily for proper respirator/face mask seal (some examples include being free of facial hair and/or clean shaven)

What Makes You Stand Out – Preferred

• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry 
• 5 or more years of experience performing testing in a petroleum or refining laboratory
• 3 or more years in forensic science characterization of unknown materials
• Knowledge of data science, machine learning, and AI
• Knowledge of refining processes and units, refinery product slates, and certification testing requirements
• Demonstrated ability to lead safety initiatives, improve standard operating procedures, and drive continuous improvement in lab work processes
• Experience training and mentoring lab technicians and collaborating effectively with operations, engineering, and commercial teams
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and a track record of promoting inclusion and diversity in team environments

Compensation Range 

This position has a base salary range of $114,300 - $139,700. 

At Phillips 66, we are committed to pay transparency and competitive, equitable compensation. Each role is assigned a salary grade with a defined pay range, benchmarked against industry peers. Where a candidate offer falls within the posted range depends on the candidate's experience, skills, and alignment with the role’s requirements. Offers are made to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness. Our compensation programs are designed to reward performance and support career growth.

The Ferndale Refinery is located on Puget Sound in Ferndale, Washington, approximately 20 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border. Facilities include crude distillation, naphtha reforming, fluid catalytic cracking, alkylation and hydrodesulfurization units. It processes a variety crude oils, including Alaskan North Slope, Canadian and other foreign and U.S. shale crudes, primarily delivered via marine vessel and pipeline. Within the refinery is a rail car crude oil receiving facility with a capacity of 30,000 BPD. This offloading facility, owned by Phillips 66 Partners, makes the receipt of additional crude by rail car possible. The refinery produces a high percentage of transportation fuels. Other products include residual fuel oil, which is supplied to the northwest marine bunker fuel market. Most refined products are distributed to customers by pipeline and barge to major markets in the northwestern United States.

Benefits

At Phillips 66, we are proud to offer attractive and high-quality benefits which we refer to as Total Rewards. Additional information on Total Rewards.

Phillips 66 has more than 140 years of experience in providing the energy that enables people to dream bigger and go farther, faster. We are committed to improving lives, and that is our promise to our employees and our communities. We are sustained by the backgrounds and experiences of our diverse teams, which reflect who we are, the environment we create and how we work together. We have been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign, U.S. Department of Labor and the Military Times for our continued commitment to inclusive practices and policies in the hiring and retention of those in the LGBTQ+ community and military veterans. Our company is built on values of safety, honor and commitment. We call our cultural mindset Our Energy in Action, which we define through four simple, intuitive behaviors: We work for the greater good, cultivate an environment of trust, seek different perspectives and pursue excellence.

Learn more about Phillips 66 and how we are working to meet the world's energy needs today and tomorrow, by visiting phillips66.com. 

To be considered

In order to be considered for this position you must complete the entire application process, which includes answering all prescreening questions and providing your eSignature on or before the requisition closing date of 7/2/2026.

Candidates for regular U.S. positions must be a U.S. citizen or national, or an alien admitted as permanent resident, refugee, asylee or temporary resident under 8 U.S.C. 1160(a) or 1255(a)(1).  Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.