Field Equipment Operator

terranova; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Terranova seeks a field technician to operate and maintain heavy field equipment in oil/gas, farming, and industrial settings. The role emphasizes hands-on work outdoors, troubleshooting on-site, and supporting drilling and pumping operations.

You should be comfortable long days in variable weather, with a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel or stay overnight as required; a college degree is not required.

Qualifications

• At least three years of hands-on field experience in oil/gas, drilling, farming, construction, utilities or similar environments.
• Experience operating, maintaining, or repairing physical equipment.
• Willingness to travel and stay overnight; valid driver’s license; U.S. permanent residency.

Responsibilities

• Operate Terranova’s field equipment, pumps, injection systems, generators, sensors, and robots
• Load, secure, transport, unload, set up, and break down equipment
• Operate or support skid steers, loaders, forklifts, trailers, pumps, and similar machinery
• Connect and maintain hoses, valves, fittings, pumps, and pressurized systems
• Inspect equipment before and after each shift
• Perform routine maintenance and mechanical repairs in the field
• Troubleshoot hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and equipment failures
• Move heavy tools, hoses, parts, and materials
• Support drilling, pumping, and injection operations
• Keep work areas, vehicles, trailers, and equipment clean and organized
• Follow field-safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Equipment operation

Hand tools & power tools

Outdoor work

Valid driver’s license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

About Terranova

Backed by leading climate and American dynamism investors, Terranova builds intelligent robotic systems to terraform the Earth itself - lifting land, restoring wetlands, and protecting critical infrastructure from floods and sea-level rise. Our mission is to preserve the built environment, create new habitats, and usher in an era of abundance. Our work supports climate resilience, disaster recovery, and defense across the United States and beyond.

We’re assembling a world‑class team that wants to work on something real, physical, and civilization‑scale. If you want your work to reshape the world (literally), this is the place to do it.

The Role

This is not an office, engineering, or equipment-design position. Most of your work will involve operating, transporting, setting up, maintaining, and repairing equipment in the field.

We are looking for someone who has spent significant time working outdoors in environments such as oilfields, drilling sites, farms, construction sites, industrial facilities, or heavy-equipment operations.

You should be comfortable getting dirty, performing physical work, working in difficult weather, and troubleshooting equipment when something breaks. Practical field experience is more important than a college degree.

Responsibilities

• Operate Terranova’s field equipment, pumps, injection systems, generators, sensors, and robots

• Load, secure, transport, unload, set up, and break down equipment

• Operate or support skid steers, loaders, forklifts, trailers, pumps, and similar machinery

• Connect and maintain hoses, valves, fittings, pumps, and pressurized systems

• Inspect equipment before and after each shift

• Perform routine maintenance and mechanical repairs in the field

• Troubleshoot hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and equipment failures

• Move heavy tools, hoses, parts, and materials

• Support drilling, pumping, and injection operations

• Keep work areas, vehicles, trailers, and equipment clean and organized

• Follow field-safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions

Required Experience

• At least three years of hands‑on field experience in oil and gas, drilling, farming, construction, utilities, industrial operations, heavy equipment, or a similar environment

• Experience operating, maintaining, or repairing physical equipment

• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical troubleshooting ability

• Familiarity with pumps, hoses, valves, engines, generators, or hydraulics

• Ability to safely use hand tools and power tools

• Ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors in changing conditions

• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record

• Willingness to work weekends, travel, and stay overnight when required

• U.S. permanent residency

Oilfield, drilling-rig, farm-equipment, pump-operation, diesel-mechanic, and heavy-equipment experience is strongly preferred. A college degree is not required.

Schedule

This is a five-day-per-week position, but it is not a Monday–Friday schedule. Workweeks may include weekends, and schedules may change during field deployments. Occasional sixth days, travel, and overnight stays may be required.