Operator 2/3

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking Operators at the Operator 2 or Operator 3 level to support mission-critical facility operations across DARHT, High Explosives facilities, and related areas.

The role emphasizes real-time awareness, field engagement, and coordination across operations, maintenance, and engineering in a fast-paced environment. Operator 3 includes higher autonomy with troubleshooting and release activities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated reliability and accountability in a field or operational environment
• Ability to operate independently while maintaining alignment with leadership direction
• Experience working within safety, procedural, and operational controls
• Ability to communicate effectively across operations, maintenance, and engineering
• Working knowledge of facility systems, industrial environments, or equipment
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, procedures, and technical documents
• Experience identifying and elevating field issues, hazards, or configuration concerns
• Experience supporting work execution, coordination, and schedule alignment in a controlled environment
• Working knowledge of Integrated Work Management (IWM), work control processes, and lockout/tagout
• Ability to track, communicate, and support execution of ongoing work activities

Responsibilities

• Perform routine facility walkdowns to monitor conditions and risks
• Assist in monthly life safety equipment inspections
• Manage Lockout/Tagout program including lock distribution and database updates
• Coordinate scheduled work between operations, maintenance, and engineering
• Support cold-weather facility checks and emergency readiness
• Identify and communicate facility issues, hazards, or configuration concerns
• Maintain awareness of facility systems and changes for configuration management
• Ensure work is performed as planned within established controls
• Contribute to schedule execution and prioritization of work weeks

Skills

Reliability

Independent working

Communication

Field engagement

Situational awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree

Tools

Lockout/Tagout knowledge

Facility systems knowledge

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Operator 2 or Operator 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Weapons Facilities Operations (WFO) Division is seeking Operators to support mission-critical facility operations across DARHT, High Explosives (HE) facilities, and associated mission areas.

This role focuses on maintaining real-time awareness of facility conditions, supporting safe and efficient work execution, and ensuring coordination across operations, maintenance, and engineering in a fast-paced, field-driven environment. It requires consistent field engagement, strong situational awareness, and direct involvement in executing work in the field.

Operator 2 ($54,900 - $84,300)

• Performing routine facility walkdowns to maintain awareness of conditions, ongoing work, and potential risks
• Perfrom monthly facility life safety equipment inspections in assigned facilities
• Manage and maintain the Lockout/Tagout (LO/TO) program, including lock distribution, database management, and timely return of assigned locks
• Supporting execution of scheduled work by ensuring coordination between operations, maintenance, and engineering.
• Perfrom seasonal, on-call support by conducting cold-weather facility checks, monitoring heating systems and plumbing, identifying and reporting safety or maintenance issues, as needed, responding to weather-related emergencies, and ensuring facilities remain safe, secure, and operational during cold-weather conditions.
• Identifying and communicating facility issues, hazards, or configuration concerns in a timely manner
• Must have knowledge of facility configuration, including equipment, systems, layouts, and operational requirements.
• Reviewing procedures, work packages, and field conditions to ensure alignment prior to execution
• Supporting configuration management by maintaining awareness of facility systems and changes
• Driving accountability in the field by ensuring work is performed as planned and within established controls
• Supporting schedule execution by ensuring work is coordinated, properly planned, and aligned with established work week priorities
• Monitoring facility systems and equipment performance, identifying abnormalities, and responding appropriately

Operator 3 ($66,000 - $103,600)

In addition to the responsibilities outlined at the lower level, Operator 3 candidates are expected to operate with a higher level of autonomy and ownership. This includes troubleshooting facility systems, supporting maintenance release activities, and responding independently to abnormal operating conditions while maintaining safety basis requirements.

• This position requires a strong field presence and direct engagement with multiple organizations to support mission execution. The selected candidate is expected to maintain active involvement in ongoing work, drive coordination across organizations, and ensure safe and efficient execution of facility operations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, make sound decisions within defined controls, and elevate issues appropriately is essential. This is a fast-paced, execution-driven environment where priorities shift and real-time judgment is required. This role is not administrative or desk-based. Candidates who prefer primarily office-based work may not find this position to be a good fit.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Job Requirements for Operator 2:

• Demonstrated reliability and accountability in a field or operational environment
• Ability to operate independently while maintaining alignment with leadership direction
• Experience working within safety, procedural, and operational controls
• Ability to communicate effectively across operations, maintenance, and engineering
• Working knowledge of facility systems, industrial environments, or equipment
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, procedures, and technical documents
• Experience identifying and elevating field issues, hazards, or configuration concerns
• Experience supporting work execution, coordination, and schedule alignment in a controlled environment
• Working knowledge of Integrated Work Management (IWM), work control processes, and lockout/tagout
• Ability to track, communicate, and support execution of ongoing work activities

Job Requirements for Operator 3

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Demonstrated proficiency in facility operations with the ability to perform tasks independently without supervision
• Experience troubleshooting facility systems and responding to abnormal operating conditions
• Ability to exercise judgment in facility operations where procedures may not fully define the response
• Experience supporting or leading maintenance release, lockout/tagout ownership, and system isolation
• Ability to serve as a point of contact for equipment or system-related issues within assigned areas
• Experience performing and/or overseeing post-maintenance testing and system acceptance
• Working knowledge of facility work control systems and safety basis requirements
• Ability to independently assess facility conditions and take appropriate action to maintain safe and compliant operations

Education/Experience at lower level

High school diploma or equivalent and 3 years of related experience; or equivalent combination

Education/Experience at higher level

Associate's degree and 3 years of related experience; or equivalent combination

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of LANL policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Mobile Work Package and/or Asset Suites
• Experience working in Facilities operations
• Experience documenting field observations, issues, and work status clearly and accurately
• Experience working in a team-based operational environment with competing priorities
• Experience working in a high-consequence, mission-driven, or regulated operational environment
• Active "Q" Clearance

Work Environment

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2

Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q

Position will be cleared to this level. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements

To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.