Horizontal Directional Drill Operator Journeyman

Kiewit is one of North America’s largest and most respected construction and engineering organizations. With its roots dating back to 1884, the employee-owned organization operates through a network of subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Kiewit offers construction and engineering services in a variety of markets including transportation; oil, gas and chemical; power; building; marine; water/wastewater; industrial; and mining. Kiewit had 2024 revenues of $16.8 billion and employs 31,800 staff and craft employees.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Operator to operate and lead drilling operations on a 600,000‑lb class HDD rig for major underground and crossing projects. This role requires a highly skilled operator with proven experience on large‑diameter, long‑length bores in varying geotechnical conditions, including soft ground, mixed face, and rock.

The successful candidate will be responsible for safely operating the drill, leading the drill crew, coordinating with project supervision and engineering, and executing HDD work in accordance with project‑specific drilling plans, safety requirements, and quality standards.

Experience Level

Skilled

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Safely operate and control a 600,000‑lb class HDD rig during pilot hole, reaming, and pullback operations

• Lead and direct the drill crew during all phases of HDD operations

• Interpret bore plans, profiles, and alignment data and maintain bore accuracy

• Monitor downhole conditions, tooling performance, and drilling parameters

• Coordinate tooling changes, reamer selection, and drilling fluid usage

• Perform daily equipment inspections and routine maintenance

• Maintain accurate daily drilling logs and production reporting

• Identify and communicate operational risks, including inadvertent return potential

• Work closely with Superintendents, Project Managers, and Field Engineers

• Ensure compliance with all site‑specific safety, environmental, and quality requirements

• Assist with troubleshooting drilling issues and implementing corrective actions in real time

Qualifications

• May require a high school diploma or its equivalent with previous years of experience in the field or in a related area.

• Minimum 8–10 years of HDD experience, with direct operating experience on large‑rig HDD equipment (400,000 lb+ class)

• Demonstrated experience completing long‑length and/or large‑diameter HDD crossings

• Proven ability to drill in variable geotechnical conditions, including rock

• Strong understanding of HDD tooling, drilling fluids, and rig systems

• Ability to read and interpret HDD profiles, bore plans, and survey data

• Experience leading and managing drill crews

• Strong commitment to safety and quality workmanship

• Willingness to travel and work extended schedules as required by project demands

Requirements

• The person in this position needs to constantly move about a construction/industrial site, so should be able to stand, walk, sit, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl

• Constantly works in a construction environment and will be exposed to changing outdoor weather conditions

• Work irregular hours, weekends, overtime and holidays as required

• May be required to use ladders/mechanical platforms/manlifts/scaffold to access required equipment/work areas (may exceed 200 feet), so must be able to climb and maintain balance on formwork, steel formwork, stairs, ladders and scaffolds

• Move and work in and around confined and cluttered places, and uneven surfaces

• Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy and dusty environment

• May be required/able to move items weighing up to 50 pounds across construction/industrial site

• Must have required tools

• May require U.S. driver license

• Observe and comply with all safety and project rules, perform other duties as required

• Ability to pass pre-access drug and alcohol testing

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

Company: Kiewit_Craft