Heavy Equipment Operator – Excavator

Sage Ag Inc.; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

PTO

401k

Job summary

Sage Ag Inc. is seeking an experienced excavator operator to safely and proficiently operate 20-50 ton machines on a long-term Austin, Texas project.

The role involves setting up equipment for trenching, grading, and earthmoving while assessing site conditions and coordinating with technicians for troubleshooting and maintenance. The ideal candidate has extensive experience with heavy equipment, strong safety awareness, and the ability to communicate observations effectively.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience operating excavators in construction/excavation/earthmoving.
• Proficient in operating 20-50 ton excavators.
• Strong knowledge of trenching, loading, grading and earthmoving.
• Ability to assess site and determine safe machine setup and technique.
• Clear communication of observations and feedback on machine performance.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate excavators in the 20-50 ton range across projects.
• Set up for trenching, material handling, grading, and earthmoving tasks.
• Assess site conditions and plan machine positioning and approach.
• Provide feedback on machine performance, controls, and ergonomics.
• Coordinate with technicians during troubleshooting and maintenance.

Skills

Excavator operation

Site assessment & planning

Troubleshooting with technicians

Safety compliance

Communication with team

Equipment inspection

Tools

20-50 ton excavators

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Safely and proficiently operate excavators in the 20-50 ton range
• Operate equipment across a variety of applications, site conditions, and machine configurations
• Set up and operate excavators for trenching, material handling, grading, earthmoving, and other defined activities
• Assess site conditions and determine appropriate machine positioning, setup, and operating approach for assigned activities
• Observe machine behavior, functionality, controllability, performance, and operator experience during operation
• Provide practical operator feedback regarding machine performance, controls, functionality, ergonomics, and overall operation
• Work with technicians and technical teams during machine troubleshooting and issue investigation activities
• Reproduce operating conditions or machine behaviors as requested to assist with troubleshooting and problem resolution
• Operate machines following adjustments or repairs to help evaluate changes and confirm machine operation
• Conduct daily machine walkarounds, inspections, and pre-operation checks
• Identify and communicate maintenance, repair, damage, or safety concerns to onsite personnel
• Work with onsite technicians for minor machine service needs and designated equipment dealers for larger repair activities
• Assist with site setup and preparation for various machine operating and evaluation activities
• Maintain safe operating practices while working around other operators, machines, technicians, and active equipment
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area

Qualifications:

• Extensive professional experience operating excavators in construction, excavation, earthmoving, site development, or a related environment
• Demonstrated proficiency operating excavators in the 20-50 ton range
• Strong understanding of excavation and site-work practices, including trenching, truck loading, material handling, grading, and earthmoving
• Strong machine awareness and ability to recognize differences or changes in machine operation, performance, controls, or behavior
• Ability to independently assess a work area and safely determine appropriate machine setup and operating techniques
• Ability to clearly communicate observations and provide useful feedback regarding machine performance and operation
• Strong understanding of heavy equipment and jobsite safety practices
• Ability to perform daily equipment inspections and recognize potential machine or safety concerns
• Comfortable working alongside technicians and technical teams during troubleshooting and machine evaluation activities
• Dependable, self-motivated, and able to work effectively with limited supervision
• Valid U.S. Driver's License with a clean driving record

Preferred Skills:

• Experience operating multiple makes, models, or configurations of excavators
• Experience operating additional heavy equipment, including dozers, wheel loaders, and articulated dump trucks
• Experience with dozers equivalent to the D4-D6 size range
• Experience with wheel loaders utilizing approximately 3-10 cubic yard buckets
• Experience operating articulated dump trucks
• Experience with site development, mass excavation, trenching, grading, or similar earthmoving operations
• Experience coordinating work with multiple pieces of equipment operating on the same site

Operator Evaluation:

• Selected candidates may be asked to participate in an onsite equipment-operation evaluation as part of the hiring process. Evaluation may include excavator operation, site and machine setup, safety practices, machine control, operating technique, and completion of common excavation or material-handling activities. (Optional: Include a video demonstrating your knowledge and skill in Excavator operation and/or a skills assessment).

Physical & Field Requirements:

• Ability to safely enter and exit excavators and other heavy equipment throughout the workday
• Ability to sit and operate heavy equipment for extended periods
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and perform routine equipment inspections
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather, temperature, terrain, dust, and jobsite conditions, including hot weather conditions
• Comfortable working around active heavy equipment, technicians, and earthmoving operations
• Ability to meet the physical requirements associated with routine heavy-equipment operation and jobsite activities

Details:

• Job Duration: Full-Time
• Project Duration: Long-term project, currently anticipated at 2-3 years
• Job Location: Austin, Texas
• Compensation: Starting at $40.00 - $55.00/ hour (DOE)
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401k with company match

Contact:

Kassi Dunlap | [phone] | [e-mail]