Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Pipe Layer

Job Description

This role operates heavy construction equipment on civil site development projects in the greater Charleston area, supporting earthwork, grading, and utility construction while also contributing to general labor tasks as needed. You will work on local projects only, allowing you to return home each night, and you will join a collaborative field crew that values teamwork, safety, and flexibility on the job.

Responsibilities

• Support underground utility and utility construction work, including trenching, backfilling, ground work and related excavation tasks.
• Read and interpret blueprints and plans to understand project requirements and execute work accurately.
• Use GPS and grading control systems (such as Topcon) when available to assist with precise grading and excavation work.
• Step off the equipment as needed to perform manual labor tasks, including shoveling, trench work, loading and unloading supplies and equipment, and other general labor duties.
• Work as part of a smaller, tight-knit crew and contribute wherever needed to ensure projects stay on schedule and meet quality standards.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety, follow all safety procedures, and promote a safe work environment for yourself and your teammates.
• Arrive on time, work reliably, and maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude on every job site.
• Be flexible to work overtime and occasional weekends, depending on project needs and weather conditions.
• Submit to and successfully complete required drug testing in accordance with company policies.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience operating heavy equipment, including dozers, excavators, backhoes, graders, and similar machinery on civil construction projects.
• Proven experience with heavy equipment operation in earthworks, excavation, and civil site construction environments.
• Ability to perform grading and fine grading work to meet project tolerances and finish requirements.
• Experience operating equipment such as motor graders, skid steers, loaders, and front-end loaders.
• Capability to read and interpret blueprints and construction plans.
• Willingness and physical ability to perform manual labor tasks such as shoveling, trench work, and loading and unloading materials.
• Reliable attendance, punctuality, and a strong work ethic.
• Positive attitude and ability to work effectively as part of a field crew.
• Flexibility to work overtime and possible weekends as project demands require.
• Willingness to submit to and pass a drug test.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Fine grading experience is highly preferred and considered a strong asset.
• GPS grading system experience, including the use of systems such as Topcon, is preferred.
• Background in civil site work, civil construction, and earthworks projects.
• Experience supporting underground utility and utility construction projects.
• Comfort working in a role that may combine heavy equipment operation with increased manual labor responsibilities when needed.
• Demonstrated potential and interest in long-term growth within a construction organization, including advancement from labor roles to operator and supervisory positions.

Why Work Here?

The company offers a stable, long-term career path with projects scheduled years in advance and a strong track record of avoiding layoffs, even during challenging market conditions. Employees benefit from a supportive, team-oriented culture that grew from a family-operated environment and emphasizes promoting from within, with clear opportunities to advance from general labor roles to operator and superintendent positions. Once permanent, you can access comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k) plan, health benefits, paid time off, and regular opportunities for overtime. All work remains local to the Charleston area, supporting work-life balance by allowing you to be home each night while still gaining experience on a wide range of civil construction projects. Safety is a core value, and the organization invests in maintaining a safe, well-coordinated work environment for every crew member.

Work Environment

You will work outdoors on civil development and construction sites in the greater Charleston area, with all projects located locally so that travel is minimal and you return home daily. The role involves exposure to all weather conditions, including hot summers and wet, cold winters, and requires you to perform tasks safely and efficiently in these environments. Typical workweeks can reach 50 hours, weather permitting, with overtime and occasional weekend work based on project needs. You will operate a range of heavy equipment, including dozers, excavators, motor graders, skid steers, loaders, and front-end loaders, and may use GPS-based grading systems such as Topcon. Crews are relatively small and closely coordinated, fostering a team atmosphere where superintendents and operators collaborate across projects to keep work moving as jobs start, end, or pause. The dress code is practical construction attire appropriate for outdoor work, including safety gear and personal protective equipment as required by site safety standards.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Beaufort, SC.

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $28.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Beaufort,SC.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 2026.

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.

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 meet 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 in solving 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.

Company Description

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 meet 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 in solving 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.