Heavy Equipment Operator

Aerotek; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off (PTO)

Travel with lodging coverage

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to safely operate dozers, excavators, and related machinery on large civil construction projects. The role emphasizes precise grading, site prep, and adherence to safety and quality standards.

Travel to various project sites is required, with a focus on efficiency and productivity. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience, strong safety practices, and the ability to work independently or as part of a field crew, supporting site teams on

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of heavy equipment experience on civil projects.
• Experience with dozers and excavators and precision grading.
• Strong safety knowledge and site rule compliance.
• Ability to travel to multiple project sites.
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Operate dozers and excavators for site prep and grading work.
• Perform daily equipment maintenance and report issues.
• Follow plans and specifications to complete tasks on schedule.
• Maintain a clean, safe job site and adhere to safety standards.
• Assist with general labor and operate additional equipment as needed.
• Utilize GPS guidance for grading when required.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Precision grading

Safety procedures

Travel to project sites

Independent work

Team collaboration

GPS guidance systems

Tools

GPS guidance systems

Job description

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

The Heavy Equipment Operator will safely and efficiently operate dozers, excavators, and other heavy machinery to support civil construction, earth moving, and dirt work on large commercial projects. The role focuses on site preparation, grading, and foundational work while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and productivity. This position is well suited for an experienced operator who takes pride in precision work and can travel to various project sites.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment, including dozers and excavators, to perform site preparation, grading, dirt work, earth moving, and foundational preparation on large commercial projects.
• Use excavation techniques to support drilling, auger, and foundation work as needed.
• Perform daily maintenance checks on equipment, including inspections, basic servicing, and cleaning, and promptly report any mechanical issues or safety concerns.
• Follow project plans, specifications, and instructions from supervisors to complete tasks accurately and on schedule.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work area in accordance with construction site safety practices and company standards.
• Assist with general labor tasks on the job site when required to support overall project progress.
• Operate additional equipment such as front-end loaders, skid steers, backhoes, and forklifts when qualified and needed.
• Utilize GPS or other guidance systems on equipment when required for grading and earthworks.
• Work effectively as part of a field crew, communicating clearly with team members and supervisors.
• Adapt to changing site conditions, weather, and project requirements while maintaining productivity and safety.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience operating dozers or excavators in civil construction, earth moving, or dirt work.
• Proven heavy equipment operation skills with a focus on precision grading, excavation, and earthworks.
• Experience operating excavators and dozers on construction sites.
• Familiarity with construction site safety practices and the ability to follow safety procedures consistently.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Reliable work ethic and willingness to travel for projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with other heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, heavy forklifts, skid steers, and backhoes.
• Experience with drilling, auger attachments, and foundation work.
• Familiarity with GPS-guided equipment for grading and earthmoving.
• Basic mechanical skills for troubleshooting and minor equipment adjustments.
• Experience on large commercial construction projects, especially those involving ground improvement and settlement control.
• Comfort working with general contractors, developers, and construction managers on commercial job sites.

Why Work Here?

You will join an innovative, high-integrity, and fast-growing company that specializes in geotechnical commercial projects across the continental U.S. The organization values and respects its team members, their families, and its clients, fostering a culture of professionalism, safety, and mutual respect. You will benefit from steady work on significant commercial projects, opportunities for overtime, and travel with lodging expenses covered. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and paid time off, supporting both your long-term financial security and work-life balance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sandston, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $30.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable 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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Sandston,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 2026.

About Aerotek

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 meets 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 solving for 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.

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.