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Engineering Equipment Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CO · On-site

$66K/yr

Engineering equipment operating work is performed without direct supervision. This position is emergency essential (E-E). The incumbent must meet all requirements of E-Expositions and may be required ...

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Engineering Equipment Operator information

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How much do engineering equipment operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for engineering equipment operator in the United States is $26.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $28.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Engineering Equipment Operators in the field?

Engineering Equipment Operators often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, navigating tight or uneven job sites, and maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols. They may also need to quickly adapt to different types of heavy machinery and keep up with routine maintenance to prevent equipment breakdowns. Effective communication with site supervisors and other crew members is essential to coordinate tasks and ensure project timelines are met. Staying alert and proactive helps operators maintain productivity and safety throughout their shifts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Engineering Equipment Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Engineering Equipment Operator, you need hands-on experience with heavy machinery, a high school diploma or equivalent, and often a commercial driver's license (CDL). Familiarity with equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, and GPS guidance systems, as well as OSHA safety certifications, is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help ensure safe and efficient operations. These competencies are vital for minimizing risks, maintaining productivity, and ensuring projects are completed to specification and on schedule.

What is the highest paid equipment operator job?

The highest paid equipment operator jobs are often in specialized fields such as crane or heavy haul equipment operators, with crane operators earning median annual wages exceeding $60,000 and top earners making over $100,000. These roles typically require advanced certifications, experience, and operating complex machinery in construction, shipping, or industrial environments.

What is an engineering equipment operator?

An engineering equipment operator is a worker who operates heavy machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, and cranes used in construction, maintenance, and engineering projects. They typically need training or certification to safely handle equipment and work in environments that may require physical stamina and attention to safety protocols.

What are Engineering Equipment Operators?

Engineering Equipment Operators are skilled professionals responsible for operating and maintaining heavy machinery used in construction, engineering, and infrastructure projects. They handle equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, graders, and loaders to move earth, build roads, and perform other tasks essential to building and maintaining structures. These operators must understand how to safely maneuver complex machinery, perform routine maintenance, and adhere to safety protocols on job sites. Their work is crucial for the timely and efficient completion of engineering projects.

What is the difference between Engineering Equipment Operator vs Heavy Equipment Operator?

AspectEngineering Equipment OperatorHeavy Equipment Operator
CertificationsTypically requires CDL or specialized equipment certificationsOften requires CDL and specific equipment training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, roads, bridges, infrastructure projectsConstruction sites, mining, quarrying, earthmoving
Industry UsagePublic works, civil engineering projectsConstruction, mining, agriculture

Engineering Equipment Operators and Heavy Equipment Operators often share certifications and work environments, but Engineering Equipment Operators tend to focus more on infrastructure projects, while Heavy Equipment Operators work across broader construction and mining sites. Both roles require similar skills and certifications, but their specific job sites and project types differ slightly.

Can you make 100k as a heavy equipment operator?

Heavy equipment operators can potentially earn $100,000 or more annually, especially with experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries or regions. Factors such as certifications, union membership, and working overtime can also influence earning potential.

What's the highest paid heavy equipment operator?

The highest paid heavy equipment operators are often those with specialized skills, extensive experience, and certifications in high-demand areas such as crane operation or underground mining. Operators working in oil and gas extraction or in remote, high-risk environments tend to earn the most, with top salaries reaching over $70,000 to $100,000 annually. Advanced training and operating complex machinery can significantly increase earning potential in this field.
More about Engineering Equipment Operator jobs
What cities are hiring for Engineering Equipment Operator jobs? Cities with the most Engineering Equipment Operator job openings:
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What states have the most Engineering Equipment Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Engineering Equipment Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Engineering Equipment Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Engineering Equipment Operator jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Engineering Equipment Operator jobs? For Engineering Equipment Operator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Engineering Equipment Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 33% Full Time, 56% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,175 per year, or $26 per hour.
Engineering Equipment Operator

Engineering Equipment Operator

National Park Service

Potomac, MD • On-site, Remote

$34.71 - $40.55/hr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


National Park Service rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 97 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

130th of 274 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Summary
The primary purpose of this position is to operate gasoline or diesel powered engineering and construction heavy equipment.
Open to the first 100 applicants or until 06/09/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The major duties of the position Engineering Equipment Operator include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Uses heavy equipment including bulldozers, road graders, backhoes and excavators to perform construction and maintenance activities for roads, campgrounds, underground utilities, site grading, septic systems, and range improvement projects.
  • Independently plans and executes work within acceptable tolerances without direct supervision.
  • Performs routine maintenance such as lubricating, filter changes, and similar without supervision to keep equipment in good working order.
  • Makes arrangements to have periodic maintenance and repair work done to heavy equipment as required.
  • Loads, secures, and transports equipment using 120,000-pound GCVW trailer and tractor transport or dump truck with trailer.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • You will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • You must possess and maintain a current Commercial Driver's License with appropriate endorsements.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

*Additional Requirements located under qualifications*
Qualifications
Requirements Continued...
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:
  1. Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision (SCREEN OUT)
  2. Ability to Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
  3. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Related to Mobile Equipment Operation)
  4. Operation of Motor Vehicles
  5. Reliability and Dependability as a Engineering Equipment Operator
  6. Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order)
  7. Class A Commercial Driver's License (SELECTIVE FACTOR - SCREEN OUT)

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.
Additional information
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. You will work for approximately 6 months (from October to April), and you will be in a non-pay status for the remainder of the year.
Physical Demands: Heavy physical effort is required in constantly climbing in and out of different machines, pushing and pulling levers continuously while machine is in operation, and lifting such items as opening and closing tail gates on dump trucks. Work is strenuous because of the large equipment operated, the frequent adjustments made, and the adverse operating conditions. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces. Frequently lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 pounds and often puts forth similar effort when pushing, pulling, turning and positioning parts, assemblies, equipment and tools.
Working Conditions: Operation of large and complicated equipment in difficult circumstances increases exposure and risk of injury. Works both inside and outside and is exposed to hot and humid weather and/or extremely cold weather. Ice, road oils, and other items such as loose gravel and rocks create hazardous conditions. The operator is subjected to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, oils, solvents, and fumes from motors and exhausts. When working inside, must ensure proper ventilation to minimize fumes while welding and/or other fumes caused by equipment or vehicles. Worker is frequently exposed to the possibility of receiving cuts, abrasions, bruises and strains while servicing and operating equipment. Follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as protective hearing devices and hard hats
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are not suitable for telework
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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