Heavy Equipment Operator

Location: Colorado (Travel Required)

Pay Rate: $27.00/hr

Travel: Required (Hotels, meals, and drive time paid)

Position Overview

We are hiring experienced Heavy Equipment Operators to support airfield and transportation lighting projects across Colorado. This role focuses on precise excavation, trenching, and conduit installation for airfield and street lighting systems. The position is approximately 60% equipment operation and 40% ground labor and is ideal for operators who take pride in clean, consistent work in high-production environments.

This is a high-urgency need with multiple active airfield projects underway and additional work starting soon.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment including mini excavator, backhoe, skid steer, trencher, and digger derrick
• Perform trenching and excavation for conduit installation and duct banks
• Dig clean, straight duct banks at correct depth and alignment
• Excavate foundations for light poles and signage, consistently achieving accurate dimensions (e.g. 3’ x 5’ x 3’)
• Backfill and compact excavations to project specifications
• Read and interpret utility locates and work safely around underground utilities
• Read and interpret grade stakes to maintain proper depth and slope
• Assist with concrete placement and finishing as needed
• Perform general labor duties when not operating equipment
• Pull and maneuver equipment trailers safely on public roads and jobsites
• Work collaboratively with crews in a fast-paced, production-driven environment
• Follow strict safety protocols, especially in restricted-access airfield environments

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in heavy civil, excavation, or utilities equipment operation
• Strong mini-excavator skills (critical requirement)
• Ability to consistently dig precise holes and straight duct banks at proper depth
• Ability to read grade stakes accurately
• Experience working around underground utilities
• Comfortable in a role split 60% equipment / 40% ground labor
• Ability to pull and maneuver trailers on roads and jobsites
• Willing to travel regularly throughout Colorado
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
• Able to obtain airport badging

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Class A CDL
• Digger derrick experience
• Street lighting or utility construction background
• Concrete finishing experience
• Highway, bridge, or large civil project experience

Why Work With Us

• Small, hands-on contractor focused on airfield and transportation lighting
• Strong history of internal promotion (laborers → operators → leadership)
• Long-term mindset—looking for career-minded operators
• Company-paid hotels, meals, and drive time for travel
• Prevailing-wage and steady seasonal workload
• Operators and laborers are frequently paid up when performing higher-skill work
• Opportunity to make a visible impact on Colorado airports and infrastructure

Work Environment

• Field-based role with travel across Colorado
• (Projects include Montrose, Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Fort Morgan, La Junta, Holyoke, Monument, and more)
• Outdoor work in varying weather conditions
• Many jobs occur in restricted-access airfields, requiring crews to remain on-site during the workday
• Fast-paced, production-focused environment similar to paving or heavy civil operations
• Small crew structure where everyone wears multiple hats and leadership works in the field

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

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $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 Loveland,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on May 14, 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.