Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Pay: $23-27

Location: will be traveling in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and Nebraska.

Per diem: Housing + 40 a day per diem

Job Description

This role involves operating a variety of heavy equipment on civil, geotechnical, earthwork, and commercial construction projects. You will support specialty foundation and ground improvement work, including earth retention systems, while splitting your time between operating machinery and performing physical labor on site. The position requires a strong safety mindset, flexibility to handle labor-intensive tasks, and comfort working outdoors and traveling to different project locations.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment such as front-end loaders, skid steers, backhoes, dozers (including mini dozers such as D3), track hoes, and water trucks to dig, trench, move materials, and support earthwork activities.
• Assist with specialty geotechnical operations, including tie-back drilling (soil nail installation), micropile work, and operating or supporting concrete pump operations as directed.
• Perform general labor tasks for approximately 50% of the time, including unloading beams and trucks, cutting beams, piling rock, compacting materials, and moving lumber and other construction materials around the site.
• Operate additional site equipment as needed, such as telehandlers, forklifts, skid steers, and guide machines, following all safety procedures and work instructions.
• Support installation activities such as post installation, tracker installation, module installation, and pile shaking, ensuring work meets quality and project specifications.
• Assist with tasks such as tube handling, tube shake out, and working with caps and other structural components as required by the project.
• Perform vibrator operation, rock dumping, and other earthwork-related activities to achieve proper compaction and site preparation.
• Work on labor-intensive projects with a flexible attitude, stepping out of equipment to help with manual tasks whenever needed.
• Follow site-specific safety protocols and industry best practices at all times, including safe equipment operation, lifting techniques, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Collaborate with foremen and other crew members to complete daily work plans, respond to changing site conditions, and meet project schedules.
• Maintain equipment in good working order by performing basic inspections, reporting issues promptly, and keeping work areas organized and free of hazards.
• Work occasional night shifts (approximately 10% of total work) and travel to various project sites as required.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience operating heavy equipment on civil, geotechnical, earthwork, or commercial construction projects.
• Proficiency operating equipment such as front-end loaders, skid steers, backhoes, dozers, track hoes, and water trucks.
• Ability to perform physically demanding labor for extended periods, including lifting up to 75 pounds and working on labor-intensive tasks.
• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions and in active construction environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel to various project sites and work approximately 10% of hours on night shifts.
• Strong safety awareness and commitment to following established safety procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to get in and out of equipment frequently and transition between operating machinery and manual labor throughout the workday.
• Effective teamwork and communication skills to work closely with foremen and crew members.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with forklift operation and skid steer operation is preferred.
• Experience in geotechnical, civil construction, or earthworks projects is an advantage.
• Experience with telehandler operation, guide machine operation, and general construction equipment is beneficial.
• Familiarity with post installation, tracker installation, module installation, and pile shaking tasks is helpful.
• Experience supporting specialty foundation elements, earth retention systems, or ground improvement techniques is a plus.
• Ability to read and follow basic instructions, site plans, and foreman direction accurately.
• Demonstrated reliability, strong work ethic, and flexibility to adapt to changing site conditions and tasks.

Why Work Here?

You will join a team that takes pride in delivering complex geotechnical and earthwork projects with a strong focus on quality and safety. The work offers variety, with exposure to specialty foundation systems, earth retention, and ground improvement techniques that help you build valuable, transferable skills. You will work alongside experienced professionals who support hands-on learning and growth, while gaining experience on diverse commercial, civil, and industrial projects. The role provides steady, field-based work for individuals who enjoy being outdoors, working with heavy equipment, and contributing directly to visible, long-lasting infrastructure.

Work Environment

This is a field-based role in active construction environments on commercial, civil, industrial, and geotechnical sites. You will work primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions and on uneven terrain. The position involves frequent climbing in and out of heavy equipment and performing physically demanding tasks, including lifting up to 75 pounds and handling materials such as beams, lumber, and rock. Typical equipment includes front-end loaders, skid steers, backhoes, dozers (including mini dozers), track hoes, water trucks, telehandlers, forklifts, tie-back drills, concrete pumps, and other specialty geotechnical tools. Work hours follow construction schedules and may include approximately 10% night work, along with travel to different project locations as needed. Appropriate construction attire and personal protective equipment are required at all times to ensure safety on site.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Aurora, CO.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $27.00/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 Aurora,CO.

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

About Aerotek

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.