Key Points

• Taylor Thorpe has made a strong contribution as a project engineer at Marathon Petroleum’s Salt Lake City refinery supporting refinery operations and capital projects.
• She leads year-round recruiting efforts, mentors interns, and organizes educational initiatives to support engineering students from multiple universities.
• Colleagues consistently praise her collaborative spirit, passion for mentorship, and drive for continuous improvement, making her an asset to both the refinery and the broader engineering community.

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Taylor Thorpe quickly distinguished herself as a project engineer at Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s (MPC) Salt Lake City refinery, where she supports the development and execution of major capital projects. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and solution-oriented mindset, she has played a pivotal role in the success of many high-impact initiatives.

Though early in her career, Thorpe is already focused on giving back. A former intern herself, she now helps guide the next generation of engineers.

A graduate of the University of Utah’s John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, Thorpe’s first exposure to the energy industry came through an internship at MPC’s Kenai refinery in Alaska.

“It was my first experience in the industry, and it was incredibly exciting,” said Thorpe. “I spent three months living by a lake, going white water rafting, and learning how pumps, turbines and compressors work. That internship confirmed this was the kind of work I wanted to do.”

Like many new engineers, Thorpe remembers feeling overwhelmed at the start. She credits a mentor for helping her gain confidence.

“I asked him, ‘Where do I even start?’ and he said, ‘You’ll get out of this what you put into it, so make the most of the opportunity.’ That really stuck with me.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2018, Thorpe joined MPC full-time in Salt Lake City and spent four years managing refinery projects.

“Project work gives you a full view of how the refinery operates,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to solve problems as a team.”

“As a mentor to our interns, Taylor has been invaluable – providing guidance, support and fostering a collaborative learning environment.”

Now part of the Major Capital Projects group, Thorpe helps lead the planning and execution of long-term, strategic investments that ensure safe, reliable operations at the refinery. She’s also a cornerstone of the site’s recruiting and intern/co-op development efforts.

“Watching shy first-year and second-year students grow into confident professionals is one of the most inspiring parts of my job,” she said. “Young engineers often think they need to have all the answers. I love helping them understand that engineering is a team effort – no one does it alone.”

Her mentorship extends far beyond the annual career fair at her alma mater. Thorpe organizes lunch-and-learn sessions featuring over 10 departments, leads group calls with interns/co-ops, and helps prepare them for final presentations, which is often key to securing full-time job offers.

Stan Holbrook, Senior Refining Engineer and former campus recruiting lead, praised Thorpe’s impact.

“Her passion and drive to continuously improve made her an essential part of the recruiting team,” Holbrook said. “When it was time to pass the torch, I knew she was the right choice. She’s built upon everything we started and continues to take it further.”

Beyond her role at the refinery, Thorpe serves on the board of the University of Utah Engineering Alumni Association, where she chairs the academic committee and organizes engineering boot camps for students.

“While she’s exceptional as an engineer, what really stands out is her commitment to mentoring and developing young talent,” said Brent Olsen, Human Resources Director at the Salt Lake City refinery. “She truly embodies MPC’s core values and is a driving force behind our strong relationship with the University of Utah.”

Brad King, Turnaround & Construction Manager, echoed those sentiments.

“As a mentor to our interns/co-ops, Taylor has been invaluable – providing guidance, support and fostering a collaborative learning environment,” he said. “Her dedication strengthens not only the interns’ professional growth but also the performance of our team. Her contributions are indispensable.”

Looking ahead, Thorpe remains focused on deepening her technical expertise while continuing to inspire the next generation of engineers.