Forklift Operator (Loudon, TN) – Austin Industrial

Ausitn Industrial; Tennessee; On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401K

ESOP

Job summary

Austin Industrial in Loudon, TN is seeking an Equipment Operator to run a front-end loader and forklift, load trucks, and move materials within an industrial setting. The role requires 3+ years of loader experience and valid forklift/heavy equipment certifications.

This full-time, on-site position includes night shifts (3 on/3 off, 12 hours) with pay based on experience. Benefits cover medical, dental, life and disability, plus a 401(k) plan; ESOP indicates employee ownership.

Qualifications

• No minimum education requirements.
• 3+ years of front-end loader operating experience.
• Must pass drug screen and background check.
• Full-time permanent position with no per diem or relocation funding.
• Night shift; 3 on 3 off; 12-hour shifts; pay rate depends on experience.

Responsibilities

• Operate a front-end loader and forklift to load trucks and move materials.
• Must have forklift and heavy equipment certifications.
• Control movement and speed of equipment according to instructions.
• Report equipment malfunctions or safety concerns.
• Inspect machinery daily for safety.
• Complete job tickets and required paperwork.
• Follow safety procedures and wear PPE.
• May operate additional equipment as needed.

Skills

Front-end loader

Forklift certification

Heavy equipment cert

Safety awareness

Job description

Job Details

Posting Details

• Posted on November 5, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location

Loudon, TN, USA

• On-site
• Rate: $23 USD per hour
• Craft
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: FORKL035205

Description

About Austin Industrial

Austin Industrial provides premier self-perform maintenance, construction, and soft craft service to leading industrial companies across the U.S. An industry leader for more than 60 years, we offer single-source solutions to our customers in the oil, gas, chemical, food, agriculture, power, and manufacturing industries.

To learn more about us, visit https://www.austin-ind.com/what-we-do/industrial .

Equipment Operator

The Equipment Operator is responsible for operating a stationary or traveling front end loader to lift, move, position, and reposition loads. Depresses buttons, lifts levers, and ensures load is safely loaded to Front-end loader before making any lift. Move products, equipment, or materials to and from industrial work areas by performing the following essential duties and responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate a front-end loader and forklift under general supervision to load trucks, and to move and fill hoppers.
• Must have forklift and heavy equipment certifications.
• Manipulate or depress controls to regulate speed and direction of Front-end loader and hoist movement according to written, verbal, or signal instructions.
• Report any equipment malfunctions or safety concerns to plant contact and Austin Industrial supervision.
• Clean and inspect Front-end loader for safety issues daily.
• Determine if any parts are malfunctioning.
• Complete job tickets, service quality summaries, and all other necessary paperwork.
• Follows all Austin Industrial and plant safety procedures and guidelines to ensure safe operations of equipment.
• May be required to operate mobile sweeper, wash down around columns and around hoppers, shoveling in hard-to-reach areas.
• Must be able to perform work wearing personnel protective equipment. Including but not limited to the following: rain gear, chemical protective clothing, supplied air and air purifying respirators, safety harness, sand blast hoods, fire resistant coveralls, hard hat, ear plugs and safety glasses.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to have full range of mobility in upper and lower body, able to reach overhead, able to work in various positions, including, but not limited to, stooping, standing, bending over, sitting, kneeling, squatting; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; work at heights; balance for extended periods of time.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Required for this Position:

Education

– no minimum education requirements.

Experience

– 3+ years of front-end loader operating experience.

Must pass drug screen and background check, as condition of employment.

This is a fulltime permanent position. There is no per diem and no relocation funding.

This job will require working night shift; 3 on 3 off, 12-hour shifts. Pay rate depending on experience.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. Austin is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, and a matching 401K plan. We are proud to be a 100% Employee-Owned Company (ESOP)! To learn more about Austin, please go to https://www.austin-ind.com/our-company/who-we-are .

Physical, Mental & Environmental Requirements

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Employees must be able to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and use hands and fingers to perform assigned duties. Positions may require lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds, working at elevations, on uneven surfaces, or in confined spaces. Employees must possess sufficient visual, hearing, communication, and motor skills to safely perform job responsibilities.

Employees must be able to read, comprehend, and follow safety procedures, work instructions, and company policies; exercise sound judgment; solve problems; maintain attention to detail; effectively manage stress; and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.

Work may be performed in industrial and construction environments with exposure to weather conditions, temperature extremes, noise, dust, fumes, moving equipment, vibration, and other site-specific hazards. Employees must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and meet all customer, site, regulatory, medical, and fitness-for-duty requirements applicable to the position.

Must be able to perform all job duties while maintaining a constant commitment to safety, quality, and productivity expectations.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. Austin Industrial is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, and a matching 401K plan. We are proud to be a 100% Employee-Owned Company (ESOP)! To learn more about Austin, please go to https://www.austin-ind.com/our-company/who-we-are .

Austin Industrial is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

See the “Know Your Rights ” poster available in English and Spanish .

Qualifications

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Valid Driver's License Equal Opportunity Employer