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How much do accelerator operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for accelerator operator in California is $27.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.82 and $29.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an accelerator operator, and why are they important?

An accelerator operator controls a particle accelerator during an experiment. A particle accelerator is a complex machine used in physics research that conducts charged particles at near light speed in confined beams. As an accelerator operator, you work directly with the physicist or research team running the experiment and ensure that all the parameters of the experiment are accounted for and set. Your duties and responsibilities are to calibrate the systems, review the schedule, make any adjustments to the particle beam before running the test, and help analyze the outcome.

What are some typical challenges an accelerator operator might face during a shift, and how are they addressed?

Accelerator Operators often encounter challenges such as equipment malfunctions, unexpected fluctuations in beam performance, or strict adherence to safety protocols. Addressing these issues requires quick troubleshooting skills, close collaboration with engineers and physicists, and the ability to follow detailed operational procedures. Operators typically document all anomalies and work closely with technical teams to resolve issues efficiently, ensuring minimal downtime and a safe working environment.

What is the difference between Accelerator Operator vs Pump Operator?

AspectAccelerator OperatorPump Operator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, technical training, safety certificationsHigh school diploma, technical training, safety certifications
Work EnvironmentIndustrial facilities, power plants, manufacturing plantsRefineries, chemical plants, water treatment facilities
Employer & Industry UsageEnergy, manufacturing, research facilitiesOil & gas, chemical, water industries

Both Accelerator Operators and Pump Operators require similar certifications and work in industrial environments. However, Accelerator Operators focus on managing particle accelerators or similar equipment, while Pump Operators handle fluid transfer systems. Their roles are distinct but share overlapping skills in safety and technical operation within industrial settings.

How much do accelerator operators make?

Accelerator operators typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require technical skills and safety certifications, and may work in manufacturing, research facilities, or energy plants.

What does an accelerator operator do?

An accelerator operator is responsible for managing and maintaining particle accelerators used in research or industrial applications. They monitor equipment, ensure safety protocols are followed, and troubleshoot technical issues, often working with control systems and requiring technical training or certifications. Their role is essential for the smooth operation of accelerator facilities and experiments.
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Accelerator Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Accelerator Operator job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 17% Contract, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,234 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Staff Machine Protection Systems Engineer

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SLAC National Accelerator Laboratoryexternal

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Position Overview
Are you an experienced engineer ready to lead advanced technical work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment? Do you thrive in a world-class scientific setting where reliable protection systems directly support accelerator operations, scientific user delivery, and breakthrough discoveries? Join the Operations Division of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) as a Staff Engineer 3 in the Protection Systems Group, where you will serve as a technical leader for safety-critical Machine Protection Systems and help guide the modernization of essential accelerator infrastructure.
The Staff Machine Protection System (MPS) Engineer provides advanced engineering leadership for the safety, reliability, and modernization of protection systems supporting the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This role requires independent technical judgment, broad system ownership, and the ability to lead focused facility operations and engineering initiatives that are critical to mission delivery. The engineer will maintain and improve existing protection systems while leading the phased upgrade of aging infrastructure to modern PLC-based architectures. This includes ensuring that vacuum failures, magnet faults, beam instabilities, and other abnormal conditions are detected and mitigated in microseconds, protecting the accelerator, storage ring, and scientific instrumentation that enable SSRL's international user community.
Responsibilities
  • Technical Leadership and System Ownership: Serve as the technical lead for assigned Machine Protection System functions, applying advanced engineering judgment to define system requirements, resolve complex technical issues, and ensure reliable protection of accelerator equipment and scientific instrumentation.
  • Infrastructure Modernization: Lead the phased migration of legacy MPS hardware to modern PLC-based interlock systems. Develop upgrade strategies, design "bridge" interfaces that allow new PLC racks to communicate with existing legacy chassis, and coordinate implementation across multi-year upgrade cycles.
  • Legacy Facility Support: Act as a subject matter expert for existing protection interlocks. Troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate legacy vacuum gauge controllers and relay-based logic; provide technical direction during fault recovery; and minimize downtime for the SSRL scientific user program.
  • PLC Logic Development: Architect, program, and review safety-critical interlock logic using Studio 5000, including Ladder Logic and Structured Text. Develop and maintain Add-On Instructions (AOIs) for standardized control of vacuum valves, pumps, gauges, and related protection-system devices.
  • HMI, Diagnostics, and Operational Visibility: Develop HMI screens, alarms, data-logging routines, and "First-Out" fault-detection tools that enable operators and engineers to quickly identify the originating cause of machine trips and improve operational recovery.
  • Commissioning, Testing, and Readiness: Develop test plans and acceptance criteria, lead dry-run and commissioning activities during maintenance shutdowns, verify that interlock chains correctly inhibit beam operation under fault conditions, and document readiness for return to operations.
  • Engineering Documentation and Configuration Control: Own and maintain system documentation, including interlock logic descriptions, I/O lists, test procedures, configuration records, and operational notes. Apply configuration management, version control, and formal change-control practices to safety-critical protection systems in accordance with SLAC Conduct of Engineering.
  • Cross-Functional Coordination and Mentoring: Provide technical guidance to engineers, technicians, operators, and partner groups. Coordinate work with accelerator physics, operations, vacuum, controls, electrical engineering, and experimental systems teams to ensure protection systems meet evolving operational and scientific needs.
  • Operational Support: Participate in shared on-call responsibility to provide 24/7 support for critical Machine Protection Systems, primarily during beam operations. Lead technical response to significant system issues and identify long-term corrective actions that improve reliability and maintainability.
Qualifications
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Minimum 5 years of relevant engineering experience with PLC-based interlock, control, protection, or safety-critical systems.
  • Demonstrated expertise in applying engineering principles to complex technical systems, including the ability to independently analyze problems, develop solutions, and lead implementation in operational environments.
  • Experience designing, maintaining, or troubleshooting mixed-technology systems where modern PLCs, control hardware, instrumentation, and legacy equipment must operate together reliably.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead focused engineering work, facility operations support, commissioning activities, or technical upgrades involving multiple stakeholders.
  • Experience documenting engineering changes, writing test procedures or standard operating procedures, and applying configuration management or formal change-control practices.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical progress, risks, and recommendations to internal technical teams, operations staff, and management.
  • Ability to provide technical direction to engineers, technicians, operators, or partner groups to achieve objectives for assigned systems or projects.
  • Willingness to provide occasional 24/7 support for assigned mission-critical systems.
Preferred
  • Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of experience with PLC-based interlock systems, preferably in the Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation suite.
  • Hardware experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs, or equivalent PLC architectures.
  • Experience working in an accelerator, light source, high-reliability research facility, industrial automation environment, or other complex operational facility.
  • Experience with PLC interfaces and control software for power supplies, RF systems, beam position monitors, beam diagnostics, digitizers, motion control, thermocouples, radiation monitors, or vacuum instrumentation.
  • Experience designing, engineering, implementing, or independently reviewing safety instrumented systems or protection systems in alignment with applicable functional safety practices.
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring engineers or technicians and coordinating technical work across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Knowledge of Linux, Python, MATLAB, EPICS, or related tools used in accelerator controls and diagnostics.
SLAC Employee Competencies
  • Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
  • Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
  • Dependability: Can be counted on delivering results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
  • Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
  • Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs and maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
  • Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate messages.
  • Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
  • Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
Work Standards
  • Interpersonal Skills : Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
  • Promote Culture of Safety : Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1 General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
  • Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, Administrative Guide
  • As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Classification and Compensation Details
  • Classification Title: Staff Engineer 3
  • Job Code: 0133
  • Grade: L
  • Duration: Regular Continuing
The expected pay range for this position is $168,000 - $200,000 per annum.
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

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