Job Description

The Opportunity:

At Canadian Natural, we are proud to be a leader in Canada’s energy industry. Join us and help drive innovation and long-term value through integrity, teamwork, and a passion for doing things right.

Make your mark while you grow your career! Are you seeking an opportunity to demonstrate and develop your Process Operator skill set? If so, this is an incredible opportunity where you will contribute to the success of our Operations team by monitoring, adjusting, and maintaining equipment throughout various units in the Primary Upgrading Area at our Horizon facility.

In this dynamic role, you will operate a variety of equipment, gain knowledge of process operations, and then with proper development and competencies may have the opportunity to progress to a main control room operator. The Process Operator will be responsible for operating process equipment in a safe, reliable, and productive manner.

• Job location: Fort McMurray, Alberta - Horizon Oil Sands Site
• Shift schedule: 7 x 7, 12-hour shifts (days and nights)
• Safety sensitive position: Yes
• Application deadline: May 29th, 2026

Key Accountabilities:

• Must have safety as a core value with an excellent work ethic, a proactive attitude, be a self-starter, possess high level standards, equipment ownership, pride in their workplace with the ability to climb ladders and be at heights of 100+ feet, while working in all climates including -25°C and less sometimes for extended periods
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), including review of and improvement to existing SOP’s, develop new SOP’s as required, participate in safety audits and safety programs and maintain a safe work environment
• Ensure proper turn-over by providing effective written and oral communications to the relieving shift and technician that cover routine and non-routine issues, problems faced, unit operating conditions, etc.
• Safely operate, monitor, adjust, and maintain process equipment to ensure production rates are achieved while rotating between different processing units within Primary Upgrading including sampling hydrocarbons and Boiler Feed water, recording and analyzing unit data, and adjusting unit parameters to meet product specifications
• Review and evaluate equipment deficiencies and if required initiate maintenance work requests followed by preparing equipment as necessary for maintenance activities using Canadian Natural’s Lock Out/Tag Out Standards Prioritize, including issuing and authorizing of Safe Work Permits within qualified units
• Develop competencies to effectively troubleshoot and problem-solve operating issues that will impact safety, reliability or production

What You Bring to the Role:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a refinery, petro-chemical or oil sands upgrading facilities, with preference being given to those with heavy oil/ crude distillation, and operating units such as Diluent Recovery, Vacuum Distillation and Delayed Coking
• Experience with control room setting and DCS operation, preferably Delta V, but others such as Honeywell is considered an asset
• Some commissioning and start-up experience with heavy oil equipment would be considered an asset but not required
• Minimum 4th Class Power Engineering Certification, with preference being given to candidates holding a 3rd Class Power Engineering Certification
• High School Diploma or demonstrated equivalent and a Valid Class 5 Driver’s License

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary, stock options, company matched stock savings plan, annual bonuses
• 100% Employer paid extended Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• May be eligible for relocation pursuant to Canadian Natural’s Relocation Policy
• May be eligible for additional premiums
• Company Sponsored Fly-In/Fly-Out from Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta
• First class camp facilities
• Health & Wellness Spending Account
• Multiple volunteer opportunities within the community
• Employee & Family Assistance Program

Check out our COMPENSATION & BENEFITS to learn more about what we have to offer!

We are proud to be ranked as one of Forbes' Canada's Best Employers in 2025 and 2026.

We invest in your career through offering a culture that focuses on developing people, working together and doing it right, with fun and integrity.

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 Employee Testimonials!

All candidates applying to Canadian Natural must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions.

While we appreciate all applications we receive, kindly note only candidates under consideration will be contacted.