Key Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

What You Will Do
Join the Beam Operations Team and take the controls of one of the world's most powerful scientific machines. As part of the Accelerator Operations and Technology (AOT) Division, you'll operate the LANSCE proton accelerator-a facility capable of pushing protons to 84% the speed of light and delivering them to five unique research destinations.
If you thrive on mastering complex systems, solving high-stakes problems in real time, and working at the intersection of science, engineering, and national security, this role puts you right where the action is. Every shift, you'll directly support:

• Isotope production for medicine, nuclear physics, environmental studies, and national defense
• Proton radiography for mission-critical defense applications
• Neutron production for nuclear physics, materials science, fission studies, neutron imaging, and semiconductor irradiation

In this role, you'll become a key operator in a facility where precision and performance truly matter. You will:

• Establish and maintain complex operating configurations within strict operating and safety envelopes.
• Set up and sustain LANSCE particle beams using advanced computer controls and local adjustment systems.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and help repair every major part of the beam transport, acceleration, and delivery systems-including ion sources, high-power RF systems, safety and machine interlocks, water and vacuum systems, radiation detection systems, and pulse-signal distribution hardware.
• Collaborate with engineers, technicians, and other specialists to fabricate, install, maintain, and repair systems critical to accelerator and beam-delivery operations.
• Work alongside senior operators and particle physicists to tune and deliver beam to five experimental facilities.
• Follow approved procedures to ensure safe, efficient, and disciplined operations.
• Complete a formal operator qualification program within two years-and earn the title of qualified LANSCE Accelerator Operator.

What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:

• Recent experience safely operating a complex process, machine, or facility under formal conduct-of-operations (e.g., charged-particle accelerator, nuclear reactor, aviation systems, shipboard systems, or substantial military hardware).
• Proven ability to troubleshoot electrical, electronic, and/or electro-mechanical components.
• Demonstrated success following detailed procedures and adhering to established protocols.
• Strong history of meeting training and qualification requirements.
• Ability to work rotating 12.5-hour shifts on an extended-hours schedule.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills for working with teammates and customers.
• A demonstrated ability-and motivation-to learn applied engineering and physics concepts.

Desired Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in a technical operator or technician role; training or experience with commercial nuclear reactors or the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is highly desired.
• A strong sense of responsibility and ownership-ready to make decisions, correct issues, and stop work when necessary to prevent accidents.
• Ability to implement disciplined conduct-of-operations principles while staying flexible, forward-thinking, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Sharp attention to administrative detail, including procedural compliance, ensuring training completion, and mentoring junior operators.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Training/Certifications: The successful candidate will need to complete and maintain qualifications for the LANSCE Accelerator Operator Training Program.
Education/Experience: This position requires a relevant Associates Degree and 5 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Sitting, Standing, Walking, Climbing stairs, Climbing Ladders, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Kneeling, Typing or keyboarding, Reading vision, Ability to speak, Ability to discriminate speech.
Note to Applicants: For full consideration, applicants should submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses each of the key requirements of the position.
Military training and experience with radar, electric, electronic, and/or electro-mechanical systems is considered to be very valuable and applicable to relevant experience. Submit transcript with educational experience and/or Joint Service transcript for military experience.
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.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory. 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.