HDD Locator (Chester MD)

Drill Tech, LLC; Chester (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Overtime opportunities

Per diem for travel

Paid time off

Opportunities for advancement

Job summary

Drill-Tech, LLC in Chester, MD seeks an experienced HDD Locator to support mid-size and maxi rig underground utility projects. The role tracks drill head position, depth, and steering to maintain bore paths and works closely with operators and field crews.

Responsibilities include reading bore plans, guiding pilots, troubleshooting locating challenges, and maintaining accurate logs. Travel regionally as needed with a strong safety mindset and OSHA awareness.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on HDD locating experience (10+ preferred).
• Direct experience locating on mid-size and maxi HDD rigs.
• Proficiency with HDD locating and guidance systems; ability to maintain bore paths and troubleshoot issues.
• Strong understanding of HDD operations, bore plans, underground utilities, and changing ground conditions.
• Valid drivers license; able to perform physically demanding outdoor work with occasional overnight travel.

Responsibilities

• Operate HDD locating and guidance equipment to track drill head position, depth, pitch, and direction.
• Guide drill operators through pilot bores, maintain bore paths, and adjust as needed based on ground conditions and utilities.
• Read and interpret bore plans, utility drawings, profiles, elevations, and underground markings.
• Troubleshoot locating challenges, signal interference, equipment issues, and document bore logs.

Skills

HDD locating

Field operations

Communication

Safety awareness

Education

OSHA 10 Certification

OSHA 30 Certification

Class A CDL

Tools

DigiTrak

Subsite

Vermeer

Ditch Witch

American Augers

Job description

Company Headquarters: Chester, MD

Travel: Project-based travel throughout Maryland and Virginia as needed

Job Type: Full-Time

Overview

Drill-Tech is seeking a highly experienced Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Locator to support mid-size and maxi rig operations on underground utility projects.

Headquartered in Chester, Maryland, Drill-Tech performs HDD and underground utility work throughout the Mid‑Atlantic region.

This is a hands‑on field position responsible for accurately tracking and guiding HDD drill heads, maintaining planned bore paths, and working closely with drill operators and field crews to safely complete complex underground installations. Extensive locating experience on mid-size or maxi HDD rigs is required.

Responsibilities

• Operate HDD locating and guidance equipment to accurately track drill head position, depth, pitch, and direction throughout drilling operations

• Guide drill operators through pilot bores, maintain planned bore paths, and make necessary steering adjustments based on ground conditions and existing utilities

• Read and interpret bore plans, utility drawings, profiles, elevations, and underground utility markings

• Troubleshoot locating challenges, signal interference, equipment issues, and other guidance‑related problems while maintaining accurate bore logs and field documentation

• Work closely with drill operators, foremen, and field crews to support safe and efficient drilling, reaming, pullback, and general jobsite operations

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of hands‑on HDD locating experience, preferably 10+ years

• Direct experience locating on mid-size and/or maxi HDD drilling rigs required

• Proficiency with HDD locating and guidance systems, including the ability to maintain accurate bore paths and troubleshoot locating challenges

• Strong understanding of HDD operations, bore plans, underground utilities, drill head steering, and changing ground conditions

• Valid driver's license, strong communication skills, and ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work with occasional overnight travel

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DigiTrak, Subsite, wireline, or similar HDD locating and guidance systems

• Experience working with Vermeer, Ditch Witch, American Augers, or similar mid-size and maxi HDD rigs

• Experience completing long-distance, large-diameter, rock, or technically challenging HDD bores

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 Certification

• Class A CDL

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Overtime opportunities

• Per diem for qualifying overnight travel

• Paid time off and paid holidays

• Opportunities for advancement within a growing HDD contractor