Underground Utility Locator ; Designer​/Drafter

What You Will Do

Make an Impact. Protect Critical Infrastructure. Shape the Future of the Laboratory.

Join a highly skilled team that plays a vital role in protecting the people, infrastructure, and mission‑critical operations of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The Utilities and Infrastructure (UI) Engineering Group provides essential subsurface mapping and utility investigation services across all Laboratory Technical Areas. Your work directly supports safe excavation, construction, and maintenance activities that enable the Laboratory's national security mission.

As an Underground Utility Locator, you will apply your surveying and locating expertise to identify, verify, and map subsurface utilities using electromagnetic locating systems, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), GPS, AutoCAD, and other advanced field technologies. You will support projects ranging from routine maintenance to major infrastructure upgrades—ensuring that all underground utilities, including electrical, water, gas, sewer, steam/condensate, and communications systems, are accurately located and documented prior to any excavation.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys independent fieldwork, takes pride in technical accuracy, and values teamwork with engineers, construction supervisors, project managers, and contractors. Successful candidates are safety‑driven, detail‑oriented, and skilled at interpreting plans, maps, and subsurface conditions. You will contribute to a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and respectful collaboration across the institution.

• Perform underground utility investigations using electromagnetic locating equipment, GPR, and related technologies
• Interpret utility prints, as‑built drawings, GIS data, and site conditions to determine probable utility alignments
• Clearly and accurately mark utilities in the field using paint, flags, and whiskers following APWA color guidelines
• Collect GPS survey data for undocumented lines, utility upgrades, and new installations
• Create and update detailed subsurface utility maps using AutoCAD
• Prepare and issue complete excavation permit packages, including permit cover sheets and updated utility maps
• Coordinate with GIS and mapping teams to ensure newly identified utilities are correctly captured and documented
• Review NM811 tickets and provide technical guidance regarding third‑party utilities
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and properly care for locating instruments, transmitters, receivers, GPS units, and GPR equipment
• Communicate field findings to PICs, Superintendents, Project Managers, and excavation personnel
• Support safe‑dig operations and reinforce excavation safety protocols
• Participate in ongoing professional development, training, and certification activities

• Intermediate experience using underground utility locating tools, including electromagnetic locating systems
• Ability to read and interpret utility drawings, as‑built drawings, GIS layers, and site maps
• Experience using AutoCAD or similar CAD platforms to produce or revise utility drawings
• Understanding of subsurface utility engineering (SUE) concepts and utility marking standards
• Working knowledge of common underground infrastructure: electrical, water, sewer, natural gas, steam/condensate, and communications systems
• Strong documentation skills, including accurate field notes, sketches, and written reports
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; ability to collaborate with engineers, construction personnel, and contractors
• Demonstrated commitment to working safely in outdoor environments with variable weather and terrain

Position requires an Associate's Degree in an Engineering or Technical field and 3 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

• Hands‑on experience operating GPR equipment and interpreting GPR data
• Prior use of GPS survey equipment for utility locating or mapping
• Familiarity with digital utility mapping workflows and documentation systems
• Knowledge of…