Senior Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Operator / Locator III

TriTechne, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Paid time off and other benefits

Job summary

TriTechne, Inc. is seeking a Senior Horizontal Directional Drill Operator / Locator III to lead complex drilling operations. You will be responsible for planning and executing demanding bores, mentoring crew members, and ensuring safety and quality standards in the field.

This role requires a combination of expert drilling skills and leadership capabilities, including interfacing with stakeholders and managing project execution effectively. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of HDD equipment and methods across various conditions.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor crew members.
• Strong decision-making skills on high-risk operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead HDD operations on complex projects.
• Plan bore paths and conduct risk assessments.
• Coordinate with various stakeholders.

Skills

HDD equipment expertise

Construction drawings interpretation

Mechanical aptitude

Leadership and crew management

Effective communication

Tools

DigiTrak

Subsite

Job description

Job Summary

TriTechne is seeking a Senior Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Operator / Locator III to serve as the lead drilling expert and crew leader on our most complex and critical underground utility projects. The role owns planning and execution of demanding bores—long crossings, large‑diameter installations, environmentally sensitive areas, and congested utility corridors—while leading and developing the crew, interfacing with project stakeholders, and setting the standard for safety and quality in the field.

Job Description

The Senior HDD Operator / Locator III is the lead technical authority and crew leader for horizontal directional drilling operations. This role combines expert-level drilling and locating skill with field leadership—directing crews, developing bore plans, coordinating with project stakeholders, and setting the standard for safety, quality, and production. The Senior Operator works with minimal supervision and exercises significant independent judgement on high‑risk work.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and operate HDD equipment on the most complex, deep, long, or high‑risk bores, adjusting methods for difficult ground and environmental conditions.
• Plan and design bore paths, develop bore plans, and conduct pre‑construction risk assessments using drawings, utility maps, and site evaluations.
• Lead utility verification and locating using systems such as DigiTrak or Subsite, ensuring clearances and resolving conflicts on critical installations.
• Establish and oversee drilling fluid programs tailored to geological and environmental requirements.
• Direct, train, mentor, and evaluate LevelI and II operators, locators, and ground crew.
• Lead advanced equipment diagnostics, troubleshooting, and maintenance planning to maximize uptime.
• Own the accuracy and completeness of bore logs, daily production reports, inspections, and as‑built documentation.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, inspectors, clients, locators, and other trades on scheduling and field resolution.
• Lead safety briefings, enforce OSHA regulations and company policies, and initiate corrective action when standards are not met.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and productive work environment across the crew.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Expert knowledge of HDD equipment, methods, and locating systems across varied conditions.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and validate construction drawings and bore plans.
• Expert mechanical aptitude and advanced troubleshooting capability.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and crew management skills.
• Sound, independent decision‑making on complex and high‑risk work.
• Effective communication and coordination with crews, stakeholders, and clients.
• Deep commitment to and ownership of safety, quality, and environmental compliance.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short‑Term & Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off and other benefits upon onboarding