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Junior Operator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

KBR Careers

Watch Operator - Junior

Chantilly, VA · On-site

The Junior Watch Operator will provide real-time monitoring and operational support for mission-critical systems, ensuring continuous situational awareness and escalating incidents as necessary.

KBR Careers

Watch Operator - Junior

Springfield, VA · On-site

The Junior Watch Operator will provide real-time monitoring and operational support for mission-critical systems, ensuring continuous situational awareness and escalating incidents as necessary.

KBR

Battlespace Awareness Operator - Junior

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$101K - $124K/yr

Battlespace Awareness Operator - Junior Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

KBR

Battlespace Awareness Operator - Junior

Springfield, VA · On-site

$101K - $124K/yr

Battlespace Awareness Operator - Junior Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

MOMENTUM USA INC

Machine Operator

Richmond, VA

$17 - $21/hr

... of junior operators to enhance team capabilities. - Communicate effectively with supervisors and other departments to address any production challenges or improvements needed. Required Education ...

KBR, Inc.

Watch Operator - Junior

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$101K - $124K/yr

Title: Watch Operator - Junior Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

KBR

Watch Operator - Junior

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$101K - $124K/yr

Title: Watch Operator - Junior Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

KBR

Watch Operator - Junior

Springfield, VA · On-site

$101K - $124K/yr

Title: Watch Operator - Junior Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! KBR's National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the ...

Momentum USA, Inc.

Machine Operator

Richmond, VA · On-site

$17 - $21/hr

... of junior operators to enhance team capabilities. - Communicate effectively with supervisors and other departments to address any production challenges or improvements needed. Required Education ...

Dark Wolf Solutions

Junior DevSecOps Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Dark Wolf is seeking a Junior DevSecOps Engineer to assist in maintaining, operating, and supporting Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools and pipelines used by the software ...

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All JobsOperator JobsJunior Operator JobsJunior Operator Jobs in Virginia

Junior Operator information

See Virginia salary details

$22.3K

$71.9K

$122.9K

How much do junior operator jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior operator in Virginia is $71,860.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $83,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior operator?

Junior Operators are entry-level professionals who assist in the operation and maintenance of machines, equipment, or production processes within industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, or utilities. They typically work under the supervision of senior operators, performing tasks like monitoring equipment, reporting issues, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. Junior Operators play a crucial role in keeping production lines running smoothly and efficiently while gaining hands-on experience and training for more advanced roles in the future.

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

To thrive as a Junior Operator, you typically need a high school diploma, basic mechanical aptitude, and a solid understanding of safety protocols. Familiarity with industrial machinery, control panels, and tools such as PLCs or SCADA systems is often required, along with any relevant safety certifications. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to follow instructions precisely are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and accurate operation of equipment in manufacturing or production environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a junior operator in their first year, and how can they be overcome?

Junior Operators often encounter challenges such as learning to operate new machinery, adapting to shift work, and understanding complex safety procedures. It's common to feel overwhelmed at first, but seeking guidance from experienced colleagues and actively participating in on-the-job training can help ease the transition. Building strong communication with team members and supervisors is key to quickly resolving issues and developing confidence in your role. Staying proactive in asking questions and reviewing operational manuals will also support your growth as you gain hands-on experience.

What is the difference between Junior Operator vs Machine Operator?

AspectJunior OperatorMachine Operator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, basic trainingHigh school diploma, technical training often preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supervised settingsManufacturing or industrial settings, more autonomous
Employer UsageTraining role, developmental positionSkilled role, responsible for operating machinery
Common Search IntentEntry-level, training, beginnerOperational, machinery handling, skilled work

The main difference between a Junior Operator and a Machine Operator lies in experience and responsibility. Junior Operators are typically entry-level, focusing on learning and assisting, while Machine Operators are more experienced, responsible for operating and maintaining machinery independently.

How much is the salary of a junior operator?

The salary of a junior operator typically ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on the industry, location, and level of experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of this range, with opportunities for advancement and increased pay as skills and certifications develop.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operator jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Operator jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Junior Operator jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Junior Operator job openings:

Junior Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Operator job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 41% Full Time, 57% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,860 per year, or $34.5 per hour.

Watch Operator - Junior

Chantilly, VA • On-site

KBR Careers
Construction • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about KBR Careersexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
KBR is a leading provider of engineering and advanced technology solutions for national security. The Junior Watch Operator will provide real-time monitoring and operational support for mission-critical systems, ensuring continuous situational awareness and escalating incidents as necessary.
Responsibilities:
• Monitor operational systems, dashboards, and alerts to ensure continuous availability and performance.
• Detect and escalate anomalies, outages, or security incidents in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation of events, actions taken, and system status updates.
• Support incident triage and coordinate with technical teams for timely resolution.
• Provide situational awareness updates and briefings to leadership during operational events.
• Participate in shift handovers to ensure continuity of operations across watch teams.
• Assist in refining operational procedures and contributing to process improvements.
• Operate within a 24/7 shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Education & Experience: Master’s degree and 1 year of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise; OR Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise; OR No degree and 4 years of relevant experience with demonstrated expertise.
• Experience with operational monitoring tools, dashboards, or incident management systems.
• Ability to work rotating shifts in a 24/7 operational environment.
• Familiarity with standard incident response and escalation procedures.
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance with adjudicated polygraph
Preferred:
• Experience in a Network Operations Center (NOC), Security Operations Center (SOC), or similar watch-floor environment.
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure components (servers, networks, cloud services) and their operational dependencies.
• Exposure to cybersecurity principles and practices in an operational setting
Company:
At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that are helping governments and companies around the world take on the great challenges of our time. Founded in 1919, the company is headquartered in Houston, TX, US, , with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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