Systems Operator I

Monterey Bay Aquarium; Monterey, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Monterey Bay Aquarium is seeking a skilled facilities engineer to support life-support systems, HVAC, and critical water handling. You will monitor control systems, analyze data, and implement maintenance strategies to ensure animal care environments meet stringent standards.

The role requires a background in aquarium or industrial facilities engineering, with hands-on experience in water systems, pumps, and desalination equipment. Collaborative team player mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong troubleshooting skills for life-support and HVAC systems.
• Bachelor's degree or advanced certifications in facilities engineering or automated controls.
• Experience with water treatment, plumbing, and electrical design is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair critical water and facility systems.
• Analyze data from controls system and meters to assess water quality and trends.
• Monitor and adjust life-support and HVAC operation based on data.
• Perform routine maintenance on water and mechanical systems.

Skills

Troubleshooting

HVAC systems

Data analysis

Team player

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aquarium Science or Engineering

Tools

Control systems

Desalination plant

Job description

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission.We welcome people from all backgrounds into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

Priority deadline for applications is September 1, 2026. Due to the volume of incoming applications, the role may be closed earlier than September 1, 2026.

Job Summary:

Under general supervision, responsible for operation, quality control, troubleshooting, repairs, and basic maintenance relating to the Aquarium's 25 million gallon per day seawater system, the associated mechanical plant, the building HVAC system, and the associated equipment and infrastructure in support of maintaining animal life support and environmental systems; monitor a computer-based control system for life support and HVAC systems and assist in operational engineering decisions based on analysis of the data; perform other duties as required.

Core Activities:

• Troubleshoot and repair critical water and facility systems, including but not limited to life support equipment, chillers and boilers, filtration systems, valves, drains, heat exchangers, pumps, motors, fractionators, ozone systems, exotic treatment systems, UV sterilizers, HVAC system, an internal desalination plant, and seawater lines.
• Analyze data provided by the controls system, meters, the laboratory, or other Animal Care staff, to assess water quality, flow, gas saturation, and other system problems or out-of-range parameters.
• Implement engineering decisions on operation and/or repair of life support based on data analysis of controls system or from Animal Care or other Operations staff.
• Monitor real-time water quality and system trends provided by a computer-based controls system and responds to alarms or out-of-range trends.
• Recommend solutions for required changes to life support systems based on analyses of water quality data, system trends, animal observations, regulatory and water discharge requirements, and water flow needs, in collaboration with Applied Water Science, Husbandry, and other departments.
• Perform routine maintenance on critical water and mechanical systems and equipment, including mechanical preventative maintenance, raw seawater line pigging, and chemical additions to the desalination plant.
• Adjust or override automatic controls to optimize equipment parameters as needed, based on established equipment operating ranges, and meter and gauge readings.
• Bachelor's degree in Aquarium Science, Engineering, or related field OR advanced certifications in facilities engineering or automated controls OR equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in water treatment plant operations, power plant operations, water systems operations, or aquariums
• Understanding of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration as it applies to aquarium systems
• Knowledge of automated controls, pneumatics, electro-mechanical and electro-optical devices
• Strong troubleshooting skills on mechanical/electro-mechanical systems; ability and willingness to learn through on-the-job training
• Experience in plumbing and electrical design, assembly, and maintenance
• Experience working with HVAC systems
• Familiarity with general industrial, electrical, and public building safety procedures
• Familiarity with industrial equipment operation/maintenance and stationary engineering practices
• Familiarity with OSHA safety guidelines
• Familiarity with three-phase 480V electrical systems and components
• Ability to prioritize work while multi-tasking, without immediate supervision
• Ability to analyze data quickly and translate data into operational decisions
• Ability to perform both as a team player and as a responsible individual when working alone
• Ability to work with a safety-first mindset
• Ability to work within, and maintain, Monterey Bay Aquarium's policies and values

Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Truck with lift gate, hoists, pulleys, lifts, building machinery, hand and shop tools
• Walking up to several miles, climbing ladders, climbing machinery, accessing roofs, reaching, pushing, pulling
• Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs.; chemical bags, motors, filter-sand bags; equipment
• Main aquarium, basement, mechanical rooms, service areas, outdoors, pumphouse, confined spaces, roof, boats

Hourly Compensation Range:
$29.86 - $36.54 USD per hour. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.

Qualifications

Skills

Behaviors

:

Motivations

:

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better.

Technical/other training or better.

Experience

Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.