Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

This role involves operating a variety of heavy equipment to support construction utility trenching and excavating projects. You safely and efficiently handle excavators of various sizes, skid steers, compact track loaders, and front-end loaders while maintaining accurate logs and following all safety procedures. You work as part of a crew, take direction well, and consistently demonstrate responsibility, honesty, and punctuality.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment, including excavators of all sizes (particularly 85G and smaller), skid steers, compact track loaders, and front-end loaders with confidence and minimal supervision.
• Perform construction utility trenching and excavating tasks safely and efficiently according to project plans and site requirements.
• Maintain accurate logs and records related to equipment use, work performed, and any incidents or safety observations.
• Make accurate and safe decisions that protect yourself, your crew, and others on or near the job site.
• Wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times and ensure it is used properly and consistently.
• Follow instructions from supervisors and crew leads, adapt to changing priorities, and work effectively as part of a team.
• Communicate clearly with coworkers and supervisors to coordinate equipment movement, trenching operations, and site activities.
• Work flexible hours, including days, nights, and weekends, as required by project schedules.
• Lift and move materials weighing 50 pounds or more as needed to support site operations.
• Perform work from heights when required, following all safety protocols and using appropriate fall protection.
• Arrive at the designated office location on time to meet the crew and ride together to the job site.
• Clock in at the office before traveling to the work site and clock out upon returning, ensuring accurate timekeeping for drive time and work hours.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment around equipment and work areas.
• Demonstrate reliability, honesty, and punctuality in all aspects of the job.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in heavy equipment operation, including excavators (especially 85G and smaller), skid steers, compact track loaders, and front-end loaders, with at least one year of experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience and comfort operating heavy equipment independently without constant direction.
• Experience in construction utility trenching and excavating.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Reliable transportation to the office meeting point.
• Strong communication skills for coordinating with supervisors and crew members.
• Ability to take direction and work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated responsibility, honesty, and punctuality.
• Ability to work days, nights, and weekends as needed.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to work from heights while following safety procedures.
• OSHA 10 certificate (required).
• Commitment to wearing and correctly using required PPE at all times.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience working on crew-based construction projects.
• Familiarity with logging work activities and maintaining accurate records.
• Strong situational awareness and sound judgment in fast-paced, safety-sensitive environments.
• Comfort working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Willingness to travel daily from the office to the job site with the crew.

Why Work Here?

You join a crew-focused environment where teamwork and safety are prioritized, and your time is respected with paid drive time to and from the job site. The opportunity offers a clear path to long-term employment through a contract-to-hire arrangement, giving you stability and room to grow. You work with well-maintained equipment, receive support to uphold strong safety standards, and benefit from a culture that values reliability, professionalism, and open communication.

Work Environment

This position is based in a field construction environment supporting utility trenching and excavating projects. You meet at an office location around 4:45 AM, clock in, and ride with your crew to the work site, with drive time paid both to and from the site. The regular work schedule runs Monday through Friday, typically until about 5–6 PM, with the flexibility to work days, nights, and weekends when project needs require it. You operate heavy equipment such as excavators, skid steers, compact track loaders, and front-end loaders in outdoor conditions that may include dirt, dust, uneven terrain, and varying weather. The role requires consistent use of appropriate PPE and adherence to OSHA 10 safety standards, working at heights when necessary and handling materials weighing 50 pounds or more in a physically demanding, hands-on environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Buda, TX.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $26.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Buda,TX.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.