Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Title: Heavy Equipment Operator

Job Description

This role operates a variety of heavy equipment on civil construction and site development projects across the greater Charleston area. You work primarily on local projects, allowing you to be home every night with minimal travel. You support grading, excavation, and underground utility work, and you also assist with manual labor tasks as needed to help the crew complete projects safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment such as dozers, excavators, backhoes, motor graders, skid steers, and front-end loaders on civil site and earthwork projects.
• Perform grading, fine grading, excavation, and earthwork activities according to project specifications and plans.
• Assist with underground utility and utility construction tasks, including trench work and related excavation.
• Read and interpret blueprints and site plans to understand grading requirements, excavation depths, and utility layouts.
• Use GPS and related technology (such as Topcon systems) to support accurate grading and equipment operation when required.
• Get off the equipment as needed to perform manual labor, including shoveling, trench work, loading and unloading supplies, and general labor tasks.
• Work as a collaborative member of a small crew, supporting teammates and taking on any task necessary to help complete the job.
• Follow all safety procedures and actively contribute to maintaining a safe work environment on every job site.
• Arrive on time, prepared for outdoor work in all weather conditions, and maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Be flexible to work overtime and occasional weekends based on project needs and weather conditions.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience operating heavy equipment such as dozers, excavators, backhoes, motor graders, skid steers, and front-end loaders.
• Proven experience in civil construction, civil site work, and earthworks.
• Strong skills in grading and heavy equipment operation, with the ability to support fine grading tasks.
• Ability to perform excavation and trenching work safely and efficiently.
• Experience supporting underground utility and utility construction projects.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints and construction drawings.
• Willingness and physical ability to perform manual labor, including shoveling, trench work, and loading/unloading materials.
• Reliable attendance, punctuality, and a strong team-focused attitude.
• Willingness to submit to a drug test as part of the hiring process.
• Flexible availability to work overtime and possible weekends as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Fine grading experience is highly preferred.
• GPS machine control experience is preferred.
• Experience with Topcon or similar GPS systems is a plus.
• Experience in general labor on civil construction crews is beneficial, especially with progression into equipment operation.
• Demonstrated ability to grow into higher-responsibility roles such as lead operator or superintendent is valued.

Why Work Here?

You join a stable civil construction organization with a strong team culture and a history of promoting from within. Crews are smaller and collaborative, creating a close-knit, supportive work environment where hard work and reliability are recognized. The company emphasizes long-term stability, with projects scheduled years in advance and a track record of avoiding layoffs, even during challenging market conditions. You benefit from local work that keeps you close to home, regular overtime opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 401(k) plan, health benefits, paid time off, and other perks. Career growth is a clear focus, with many employees advancing from general labor roles into equipment operator and superintendent positions over time.

Work Environment

You work outdoors on active civil development and construction sites in the greater Charleston area, with all projects located locally so overnight travel is not required. The role involves exposure to all weather conditions, including hot summers and wet, cold winters, and you must be able to perform your duties safely and efficiently in these environments. You regularly operate heavy equipment such as dozers, excavators, backhoes, motor graders, skid steers, and front-end loaders, and may use GPS and Topcon systems to support grading accuracy. The schedule typically includes full-time hours with regular opportunities for overtime, often around 50 hours per week when weather and workload permit, and may include occasional weekend work. Safety is a core priority, with a strong emphasis on maintaining a safe job site for all crew members. Dress and personal protective equipment must be appropriate for outdoor construction work and compliant with safety requirements.

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

This position is anticipated to close on May 12, 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.