Engineering Student - Relief Field Operator - May Start - 4 Months

The Opportunity:

Are you a student looking for an exciting opportunity that is full of meaningful, diverse, and ambitious assignments working alongside industry leading professionals? Join Canadian Natural where we strive to provide opportunities based on your abilities, helping you to contribute in a meaningful way and apply your academic experience to challenging and rewarding projects!

Build and expand your practical knowledge through working in a live environment at one of Canada’s largest independent oil and gas producers! You will have the opportunity to ask questions, develop meaningful relationships, and add value. This student opportunity is a 4-month term from May to August, located at one of Canadian Natural’s Western Canadian Operations. 

As a Relief Operator Summer Student (ROSS), you will gain a fantastic learning experience and exposure to a wide range of oil and gas operating systems. Work outdoors for the summer alongside experienced industry professionals on light oil, heavy oil, gas plants, oil batteries, water floods, and/or pump jacks and join a company culture that fosters a fun working environment!

• Job location: One of our various field locations throughout Alberta, Northern BC, or Saskatchewan
• Shift schedule: Must be prepared to remain on-call during off-hours (selected fields only)
  • 8 days on, 6 days off, 10 hours per shift
  • 7days on, 7 days off, 12 hours per shift
  • 9 days on, 5 days off, etc.
• Term length: 4 Months 
• Term start: May 2026 (Mandatory Safety Training Week: May 4-8, 2026)
• Safety sensitive position: Yes

Key Accountabilities:

• Be a part of front-line driven safety culture by completing hazard assessments, worksite safety observations, and identifying and correcting hazards and opportunities
• Utilize your hands-on mechanical aptitude and experience to solve daily problems to increase and maintain production volumes
• Be responsible for light oil, heavy oil, gas, gas plants, and/or oil batteries
• Work with water floods, EOR, pump jacks, and PC pumps
• Perform well testing techniques and production reporting
• Be a part of front-line driven safety culture by completing hazard assessments, worksite safety observations, and identifying and correcting hazards and opportunities

What You Bring to The Role:

• Currently enrolled in your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of an engineering degree program (Chemical, Mechanical, Energy, and Petroleum/Oil & Gas disciplines preferred)
• Possess a valid Class 5 Alberta driver’s license or equivalent out of province license and feel comfortable driving a half ton work truck in a safe manner
• Strong mechanical aptitude is an asset

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary
• Students may be eligible for relocation assistance pursuant to Canadian Natural’s Student Relocation Policy (Students will be responsible for finding their own accommodations during the work term)
• Safety boot allowance
• Safety training certifications and PPE covered
• Multiple volunteer opportunities within the community

Check out our COMPENSATION & BENEFITS overview to see what we have to offer!

Note: This may be BC based position; the hourly range is estimated to be between $28.61 - $33.65.

If you are interested in this exciting student work term opportunity, please include your resume, cover letter and unofficial transcripts as part of your online application.

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

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. This posting will close once a successful candidate has been selected.

Canadian Natural operates one of the largest Campus Recruitment programs in the country, hiring over 400 students every year. Students hired on with us are made to feel a part of the team, gaining high level experience, knowledge, and training that introduces and prepares them for full-time employment. 

We are proud to share that Canadian Natural has been ranked as a Top Employer for 2023 & 2024 by Canada's Future Workforce and also one of Forbes' Canada's Best Employers in 2025.

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 Student Testimonials!