Boiler Plant Operator Jobs
Boiler Plant Operator jobs are open across manufacturing, utilities, healthcare, and government facilities, at every level from entry-level operator to chief engineer, with specializations in high-pressure steam systems, HVAC integration, and industrial boiler maintenance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Boiler Plant Operator jobs
Boiler Plant Operator – VA Palo Alto Healthcare System
Location:
- Palo Alto, CA
- Menlo Park, CA
- Livermore, CA
Job Summary:
Operate, monitor, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair high-pressure boiler systems and auxiliary equipment across three VA facilities. Ensure safe, efficient steam generation, perform preventive maintenance, water treatment, safety testing, emergency response, and maintain compliance with VA and environmental regulations. Cross-training on all boiler systems is required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operate and maintain high-pressure boilers and auxiliary equipment.
- Monitor gauges, controls, alarms, and computerized systems.
- Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs.
- Conduct boiler water testing and treatment.
- Test and maintain boiler safety devices.
- Respond to plant emergencies and facility utility issues.
- Maintain logs, reports, and shift handovers.
- Work independently during nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Ensure compliance with safety, lockout/tagout, confined space, and environmental procedures.
Qualifications:
- Experience operating high-pressure boiler plants.
- Boiler Operator License preferred (not required).
- Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and electronic control systems.
- Experience with water treatment and boiler safety testing.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., work in confined spaces, climb ladders, and work rotating shifts.
- Proficient in English and basic computer skills (Microsoft Office).
Work Schedule:
- Rotating Day, Swing, and Graveyard shifts.
- 24/7 operation; up to 5 shifts per week.
- Must report 15 minutes before each shift for handover.
Pay: $45.00 - $48.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Boiler Plant Operator – VA Palo Alto Healthcare System
Location:
- Palo Alto, CA
- Menlo Park, CA
- Livermore, CA
Job Summary:
Operate, monitor, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair high-pressure boiler systems and auxiliary equipment across three VA facilities. Ensure safe, efficient steam generation, perform preventive maintenance, water treatment, safety testing, emergency response, and maintain compliance with VA and environmental regulations. Cross-training on all boiler systems is required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operate and maintain high-pressure boilers and auxiliary equipment.
- Monitor gauges, controls, alarms, and computerized systems.
- Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs.
- Conduct boiler water testing and treatment.
- Test and maintain boiler safety devices.
- Respond to plant emergencies and facility utility issues.
- Maintain logs, reports, and shift handovers.
- Work independently during nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Ensure compliance with safety, lockout/tagout, confined space, and environmental procedures.
Qualifications:
- Experience operating high-pressure boiler plants.
- Boiler Operator License preferred (not required).
- Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and electronic control systems.
- Experience with water treatment and boiler safety testing.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., work in confined spaces, climb ladders, and work rotating shifts.
- Proficient in English and basic computer skills (Microsoft Office).
Work Schedule:
- Rotating Day, Swing, and Graveyard shifts.
- 24/7 operation; up to 5 shifts per week.
- Must report 15 minutes before each shift for handover.
Pay: $45.00 - $48.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
See All 6 Boiler Plant Operator Jobs
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Find Boiler Plant Operator JobsBoiler Plant Operator Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in boiler plant operator jobs.
- Valid state boiler operator or stationary engineer license at required horsepower grade
- Experience operating and maintaining high-pressure steam or hot water boiler systems
- Knowledge of combustion controls, water treatment, and chemical feed systems
- Ability to read and interpret P&ID diagrams, blueprints, and equipment manuals
- Familiarity with OSHA regulations, lockout/tagout procedures, and confined space entry
- High school diploma or GED, with vocational training or apprenticeship preferred
Tips for Your Boiler Plant Operator Job Search
Tailor your resume to boiler specs
List the specific boiler types you've operated, such as fire-tube, water-tube, or cast-iron sectional, alongside your pressure ratings and fuel types. Hiring managers scan for these details fast, so put them near the top of your experience section.
Certify before you apply competitively
Many postings require a state boiler operator license at a specific horsepower rating. Check your target state's requirements before applying, because a license valid in one state may not transfer directly and could disqualify you before an interview.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists boiler plant operator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target employers with older plant infrastructure
Facilities running aging boiler systems need operators who can troubleshoot without always relying on digital controls. When you find openings at older industrial plants or municipal utilities, emphasize manual diagnostics and hands-on repair experience in your cover letter.
Prepare for a hands-on skills demonstration
Many boiler plant interviews include a walkthrough of actual equipment where you'll be asked to identify components, explain startup sequences, or describe a past failure you diagnosed. Review your most complex troubleshooting scenarios before the interview so you can walk through them clearly.
Negotiate shift differentials, not just base pay
Boiler plant roles often run 24-hour operations, meaning night, weekend, and holiday shifts are on the table. When you get an offer, ask specifically about differential rates for those shifts, since that compensation can significantly affect your total annual earnings.
Boiler Plant Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most boiler plant operators?
Merrimack Health, Tufts Medical Center, and Beth Israel Lahey Health are hiring the most boiler plant operators right now, with openings concentrated in Massachusetts, California, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Demand is especially strong at facilities running continuous operations such as hospitals, universities, and large manufacturing plants.
How many boiler plant operator jobs are remote?
About 0% of boiler plant operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of the role. The small share of remote work in this field is concentrated in supervisory, training, or technical support positions where operators oversee multiple facilities or provide remote diagnostics rather than physically operating equipment.
How do you become a boiler plant operator?
Start by earning a high school diploma or GED, then complete a vocational program or apprenticeship focused on stationary engineering or building systems. Log the required hours of hands-on boiler experience your state mandates, then pass the written and practical exams for your state boiler operator license. Higher-grade licenses require additional hours and more complex exam content, so plan your progression from the beginning.
How do you get hired as a boiler plant operator with little experience?
Entry-level positions often appear at hospitals, universities, and large commercial buildings that run training programs for new operators working under a licensed chief engineer. Completing a vocational boiler technology course, earning an entry-grade license where your state offers one, and applying to facilities with multiple operators on staff gives you the best chance of landing your first role without years of prior experience.
What does the boiler plant operator interview process look like?
Most interviews begin with a phone or video screen where a facilities manager or HR representative confirms your license status and basic experience. An in-person interview typically follows, often including a plant walkthrough where you'll be asked to identify equipment, describe startup and shutdown procedures, or explain how you've handled a past emergency. Some employers add a written technical test covering combustion theory, water chemistry, and safety regulations before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to boiler plant operator jobs?
You can find and apply to boiler plant operator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your license grade, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing.
See All 6 Boiler Plant Operator Jobs
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