Project Manager 2 / Superintendent 3

Working Title: Construction Superintendent 3

Location: Los Alamos, NM (100% on-site, Technical Area 55)

Pay Rate: $62–$68/hr

Contract: 2-year assignment, with possible extension or conversion

Work Schedule: 4x12 fixed shift in a 24/7 operation (days or nights; Mon–Thu or Thu–Sun)

Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance required; active “Q” preferred

About the Role

We are recruiting on behalf of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for a Project Manager 2 working as a Construction Superintendent 3 at Technical Area 55 (TA-55). This is front-line work in direct support of the Laboratory’s national security mission.

The official title is Project Manager 2, but the day-to-day job is that of a superintendent. You will not be managing a project from an office. You will lead craft crews in the field as they execute work, working closely with project engineers, field engineers, and quality control while keeping safety first. You will lead projects of $500K or less and provide oversight to Superintendent 2s as needed.

TA-55 is a high-security nuclear facility. Entry is similar to going through airport security, the facility sits behind multiple fences with no windows, and it is common to spend a full 12-hour shift inside. Expect the first 90 days to be dedicated to training and nuclear qualifications, and roughly six to eight months before moving around the facility feels routine. Because of that ramp-up, the hiring organization is looking for candidates who can commit to the full two-year assignment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead construction, upgrade, renovation, modification, and D&D work in a nuclear facility, directing craft crews through execution.

• Take part in daily planning calls covering prior-day progress and current priorities, then run pre-job briefings on scope, hazards, PPE, approvals, and fitness for duty, and hand off status cleanly at shift turnover.

• Manage project scope, schedule, and budget, including Earned Value Management System (EVMS) reporting; may serve as a Control Account Manager (CAM) for a project or subproject.

• Ensure work packages realistically reflect the duration and budget needed, perform variance analysis, determine the cause and effect of cost or schedule variances, and define achievable corrective action plans.

• Identify project risks, develop mitigation strategies and corrective actions, and recommend risk acceptance or avoidance.

• Lead constructability reviews during design and assess impacts to construction cost and schedule.

• Apply work control, configuration management, safety and authorization basis, and lock-out/tag-out requirements in the field.

• Read and interpret physical, mechanical, and electrical drawings, blueprints, and schematics.

• Initiate investigations of abnormal events, incidents, or accidents, identify root cause, and help implement corrective actions.

• Use a computerized work management system to track job activities and coordinate material and equipment deliveries with vendors and suppliers.

• Report project status, performance plans, trends, and issues to senior management, stakeholders, and federal sponsors, and support regulatory inquiries.

• Provide leadership and technical direction on health, safety, and environmental compliance.

Required Education & Experience

Typically requires a degree in an engineering or scientific discipline, or specialized coursework in project management, and ten (10) years of work experience, including 5+ years in at least one of engineering, procurement, or construction, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A degree is a plus but not required; strong supervisory field experience carries the most weight.

Top Skills & Requirements

• Communicating effectively.

• Building relationships. A welcoming demeanor goes a long way, and the relationships you build are key to success here.

• Keeping a level head when things get heated and opinions differ.

• Minimum three (3) years of nuclear experience. Commercial nuclear or DOE experience both qualify.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance.

• Advanced experience managing construction projects, including scope, schedule, budget, and EVMS.

• Proven ability to organize, direct, and control a team of workers, including work schedules, progress, and resource allocation.

• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements across the trades.

• Strong understanding of work hazards, safety practices, operating configuration, and lock-out/tag-out.

• Self-motivated and adaptable. Conditions in the field can change quickly.

• Working computer skills: email, populating schedules, and tracking correspondence and job activities.

Security Clearance

The ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance is required. Candidates who already hold an active “Q” clearance will be reviewed first, but candidates without a current clearance are also being considered. This position requires unescorted access and Laboratory A-Level access.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform the following, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Climb stairs and ladders, and squat, kneel, and bend for periods of time.

• Walk long distances to and within the facility; parking is limited and missing a shuttle can mean a long walk.

• Wear PPE, including respiratory protection (PAPR), for work in radiological environments.

• Work a full 12-hour shift inside a secured facility with limited natural light.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DOE “Q” clearance.

• Superintendent experience in a DOE or commercial nuclear facility.

• Control Account Manager (CAM) or EVMS reporting experience.

• Relevant project management or construction certifications.

Contract Details

Duration: 2-year assignment, with possible extension. Conversion may occur at the discretion of the hiring organization; conversion is not guaranteed.

Work Schedule: 4x10s during initial training, then 4x12s. TA-55 runs 24/7 on four fixed shifts: Mon–Thu days, Mon–Thu nights, Thu–Sun days, or Thu–Sun nights. Your shift is assigned at deployment and changes are rare, so candidates should be open to any of the four.

Overtime: Overtime as needed. No on-call.

Start Date: As soon as possible.

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

We strive to provide careers, not just jobs, for our employees. We invest in and serve the communities where we work and live. We provide best-in-class administrative, professional, and technical services to solve complex problems to meet customer mission-critical objectives.

For over 30 years, Compa has been a trusted partner in progress. We combine decades of technical expertise with a forward-thinking spirit, tackling intricate challenges in nuclear facilities alongside the brightest minds in science and engineering. Join us, and don’t just build your career, build the future, with competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real difference for national security and beyond.

COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected status.