About the role#
As a Mechanical Engineering intern or co-op at a Marathon refinery, you will gain hands-on experience by working alongside professionals who manage specific portions of the refining process. You will become familiar with industry codes and best practices while building critical thinking skills. You will also develop an understanding of how various engineering disciplines collaborate within a refinery environment. You will have the opportunity to improve your written and verbal presentation skills in a professional setting, and you may work in more than one area of the plant to gain a broad understanding of operations.
What you'll do#
Interns and co-ops typically serve in one of two primary roles:
- Area Refining or Project Engineer: You will develop project management skills by creating project scopes, estimates, and schedules. Once a project is approved, you will oversee the design effort and assist in the construction process.
- Reliability Engineer: You will support the Maintenance Department by designing and developing equipment improvements. This includes performing root cause failure analysis, optimizing maintenance programs for rotating equipment like pumps and compressors, and troubleshooting fixed equipment such as pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and piping systems. You will also research new technologies in design, materials, and repair methods to improve equipment run times and reduce costs.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a degree-seeking program majoring in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering.
- Strong academic performance.
- A valid driver's license.
- Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, indefinite basis without the need for visa sponsorship.
- Availability for multiple work terms is preferred.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, paid, on-site position for the Fall 2027 term.
- Positions are available at various refinery locations, including Findlay, OH; Canton, OH; El Paso, TX; Texas City, TX; Anacortes, WA; Wilmington, CA; Martinez, CA; Mandan, ND; Salt Lake City, UT; Robinson, IL; Detroit, MI; St Paul Park, MN; Catlettsburg, KY; Garyville, LA; and Kenai, AK.
About Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Marathon Petroleum Corporation operates as an integrated energy company focused on downstream and midstream activities. Founded in 1887, the business maintains its headquarters in Findlay, Ohio. It manages the largest refining system in the United States and oversees a network of retail outlets. The company also holds a majority interest in MPLX LP, which handles crude oil and light product transportation infrastructure.
How to get in at Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at Marathon Petroleum Corporation, as recruiters often review candidates before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first and get seen before the pile grows. Reaching out to the right people often beats submitting your resume into a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves your response rates.


