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Senior Computer Operator Jobs in Butte, MT (NOW HIRING)

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Senior Computer Operator information

See Butte, MT salary details

$24.3K

$77.9K

$158.7K

How much do senior computer operator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior computer operator in Butte, MT is $77,929.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,300.00 and $100,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior computer operator?

Senior Computer Operators are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing the operation of computer systems and related equipment in an organization. They monitor system performance, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure that scheduled tasks such as data backups and batch jobs run smoothly. Additionally, they may supervise junior operators, document procedures, and coordinate with IT staff to resolve complex problems. Their role is crucial for maintaining the reliability and efficiency of computer operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior computer operator?

To thrive as a Senior Computer Operator, you need strong knowledge of computer systems operations, troubleshooting, and a background in IT or computer science, often supported by relevant certifications or experience. Familiarity with operating systems (such as Windows, Linux, or mainframes), job scheduling software, and monitoring tools is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication help resolve issues efficiently and coordinate with technical teams. These skills ensure smooth workflow, system reliability, and rapid response to operational challenges in enterprise environments.

What are some typical challenges senior computer operators face when managing large-scale IT systems?

Senior Computer Operators often encounter challenges such as ensuring system uptime during maintenance windows, quickly resolving unexpected hardware or software failures, and effectively coordinating with IT support teams to minimize service disruptions. They must also stay vigilant against security threats and maintain detailed logs for audits and troubleshooting. Strong communication skills and the ability to prioritize tasks under pressure are critical for handling these responsibilities in a fast-paced IT environment.

What is the difference between Senior Computer Operator vs Computer Operator?

AspectSenior Computer OperatorComputer Operator
CredentialsTypically requires more experience, possibly certifications in computer operations or related fieldsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be preferred
Work EnvironmentData centers, large IT departments, or control rooms with complex systemsOffice settings, smaller data centers, or manufacturing environments
ResponsibilitiesOverseeing daily operations, troubleshooting, and supervising junior staffMonitoring systems, running scheduled tasks, basic troubleshooting
Usage in IndustryCommonly used in large organizations with complex IT infrastructureWidespread across various industries for routine system operations

The main difference between a Senior Computer Operator and a Computer Operator lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope of work. Senior Computer Operators typically handle more complex tasks, supervise others, and have more industry experience, whereas Computer Operators focus on routine system monitoring and basic troubleshooting.

What career paths can a senior computer operator take?

A senior computer operator can advance to roles such as systems administrator, network administrator, or IT supervisor by gaining additional certifications and technical skills. They may also move into IT management, cybersecurity, or database administration, depending on their interests and experience.

Which senior computer operator job has the highest salary?

Senior computer operators with specialized skills in systems management, automation, and experience with enterprise-level hardware and software tend to have the highest salaries. Salaries can also vary based on industry, certifications, and location, with those working in finance, technology, or large corporations typically earning more.
Senior Computer Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Computer Operator job openings in Butte, MT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,929 per year, or $37.5 per hour.

Senior AI Engineer - IT AI and Data Technology

Helena, MT • On-site

St. Peter's Health
Health Care and Social Assistance • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about St. Peter's Healthexternal

$95K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description


Lead the future of healthcare AI at St. Peter's Health! As our Lead AI Engineer, you'll serve as the principal technical leader responsible for designing, building, and scaling enterprise AI solutions that improve clinical and business operations. You'll partner closely with the Director of AI to establish the organization's AI platform, architecture, engineering standards, and best practices while mentoring a growing engineering team. This hands-on leadership role combines software architecture, cloud-native engineering, MLOps/LLMOps, and applied AI-including generative AI, machine learning, NLP, and intelligent agents-to deliver secure, reliable, and impactful production solutions across the health system. If you're passionate about building enterprise AI from the ground up and driving innovation in healthcare, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:
Required:
  • Ten or more years of progressive professional experience in software engineering, application architecture, platform engineering, distributed systems, or related technology work, including at least three years of hands-on experience deploying and operating production AI/ML systems.
  • Qualifying production AI experience may include traditional machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, recommender systems, predictive modeling, generative AI, or related applied AI systems.
  • Advanced software engineering and architecture proficiency in Python and strong working proficiency in one or more additional enterprise programming languages such as C#, Java, TypeScript, or Go.
  • Demonstrated experience architecting and operating distributed, cloud-native applications, APIs, data services, containers, automated delivery pipelines, infrastructure automation, and production observability.
  • Deep working knowledge of the production AI/ML lifecycle, including model and service integration, retrieval, agents, evaluation, MLOps or LLMOps, monitoring, reliability, governance, security, and cost optimization.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead architecture decisions, mentor senior engineers, coordinate complex technical workstreams, communicate with executives and stakeholders, and guide production outcomes across teams.

Preferred:
  • Experience in a healthcare provider, payer, health system, life sciences, financial services, or other highly regulated environment.
  • Experience integrating with Epic or another electronic health record, FHIR, HL7, clinical data, medical terminology, or healthcare operational systems.
  • Experience establishing enterprise AI or ML platform architecture on Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, or a comparable large-scale cloud environment.
  • Experience leading MLOps or LLMOps, retrieval-augmented generation, semantic or vector search, agentic systems, model evaluation, and AI application observability at production scale.
  • Strong working knowledge of HIPAA, HITECH, healthcare privacy, information security, data governance, responsible AI, clinical safety, and audit requirements.
  • Experience evaluating vendors, leading build-versus-buy decisions, defining reference architectures, and establishing engineering standards for a growing technical organization.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent combinations of education, advanced technical training, certifications, and directly relevant professional experience may be considered.
A master's degree in a related field is preferred. Advanced education may substitute for a portion of the required experience when accompanied by demonstrated enterprise software architecture, production engineering, and AI deployment capability.

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