Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator
Job Description
This role supports daily yard operations in a fast-paced, production-focused environment by safely operating heavy equipment, handling materials, loading trucks, and maintaining an efficient workflow throughout the yard.
Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment safely and efficiently, with primary responsibility on a CAT front-end loader as well as cranes, loaders, and similar machinery.
• Follow all safety procedures and OSHA regulations, participate in safety meetings, and actively look out for your own safety and the safety of your teammates.
• Conduct daily equipment inspections and promptly report any defects, malfunctions, or maintenance needs to your supervisor.
• Maintain a clean and organized yard by removing debris and ensuring a safe working environment at all times.
• Operate smaller equipment such as forklifts and skid steers as needed to support overall yard and production operations.
• Perform general labor duties including sweeping, shoveling, and yard clean-up wherever required to support continuous workflow.
• Communicate effectively over radio with team members to coordinate traffic flow, production activities, and safety awareness.
• Cross-train in multiple roles and assist teammates as needed to keep operations running smoothly in a production-focused setting.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of experience operating heavy equipment, preferably in metal, construction, or manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with cranes, loaders, or similar heavy machinery.
• Strong understanding of equipment operation, including safety protocols, potential hazards, and best practices.
• Proven ability to operate a CAT front-end loader safely and efficiently.
• Mechanically inclined with the ability to identify issues and help keep equipment operating efficiently.
• Reliable and dependable, with a consistent track record of punctuality and readiness for each shift.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and adjust to changing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Physically capable of standing or walking for extended periods, including shifts of up to 12 hours.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Comfortable working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat and other environmental elements.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to communicate over radio to coordinate operations and safety.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in metal, steel manufacturing, construction, or industrial production environments.
• Familiarity with OSHA regulations and participation in safety-focused work cultures.
• Experience operating forklifts and skid steers in addition to larger heavy equipment.
• Willingness to cross-train in multiple roles to support yard and production operations.
• Strong teamwork mindset with the ability to support and assist colleagues as needed.

Why Work Here?
You will join a production-focused operation that plays a key role in the steel supply chain, transforming raw material into precise, ready-to-use components for manufacturing and construction. The environment emphasizes safety, teamwork, and reliability, giving you the opportunity to build and refine your heavy equipment skills while contributing to an essential industrial process. You will work alongside experienced professionals in a setting that values mechanical aptitude, initiative, and cross-training, offering ongoing opportunities to grow your capabilities and take on diverse responsibilities.
Work Environment
The work environment centers on a steel-processing yard where high-quality steel products are produced by processing and shaping raw steel into precise sizes used across manufacturing and construction. Operations are fast-paced and production-focused, with continuous material handling, truck loading, and equipment movement throughout the yard. You will regularly operate CAT front-end loaders, cranes, loaders, forklifts, skid steers, and similar machinery. The role requires working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat and other environmental elements, and being physically prepared for extended periods of standing or walking, as well as lifting up to 50 pounds. Safety and organization are priorities, with an expectation of maintaining a clean, debris-free yard and adhering to OSHA regulations and internal safety procedures.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Louis, MO.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $25.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available 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 Saint Louis,MO.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 19, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.


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.