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Remote Excavator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Heavy Equipment Operator

Washington, DC ยท Remote

$28 - $33/hr

Operate heavy equipment (excavators, bulldozers, graders, etc.) in a safe and efficient manner * Perform a variety of tasks including excavation, grading, and material handling and other related ...

Remote Excavator information

See Washington salary details

$15

$29

$47

How much do remote excavator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote excavator in Washington is $29.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.52 and $32.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a remote excavator typically coordinate with on-site teams during excavation projects?

Remote Excavators often work closely with on-site supervisors and other equipment operators through real-time communication tools, such as video feeds, radios, and project management software. Coordination is essential to ensure safety, efficiency, and adherence to project timelines, especially since operators may not be physically present at the job site. Regular virtual meetings and clear protocols help align remote operators with site-specific needs and changes. This collaborative approach allows Remote Excavators to respond quickly to instructions, troubleshoot issues, and maintain seamless workflow integration.

What is the difference between Remote Excavator vs Remote Loader?

AspectRemote ExcavatorRemote Loader
CertificationsOperator Certification, OSHA safety trainingOperator Certification, OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, remote projectsConstruction sites, remote projects
Industry UsageHeavy construction, excavation projectsMaterial handling, loading and unloading

Remote Excavators and Remote Loaders share similar certifications and work environments, often used in construction and excavation projects. The main difference lies in their functions: excavators are used for digging and trenching, while loaders are used for moving materials. Both roles require safety training and are essential in remote construction settings, but they serve distinct operational purposes.

What is a remote excavator?

Remote excavators are heavy-duty construction machines that can be operated remotely, often using wireless controls or advanced teleoperation systems. These machines are used for digging, lifting, and moving earth or materials in environments that may be hazardous or difficult for operators to access directly. Remote operation enhances safety by allowing operators to control the excavator from a safe distance, reducing the risk of injury in dangerous conditions such as unstable terrain or contaminated sites. They are increasingly used in mining, demolition, and disaster response operations. The technology also allows for greater precision and flexibility in challenging work environments.

Is a remote excavator operator a real job?

A remote excavator operator is a legitimate job that involves operating heavy machinery such as excavators from a remote location, often using specialized controls or remote technology. This role requires technical skills, safety training, and sometimes certifications, and it is used in industries like construction, mining, and infrastructure projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote excavator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Excavator, you need a strong understanding of excavation techniques, safety protocols, and experience with heavy machinery operation, often supported by relevant certifications or licenses. Familiarity with remote control systems, GPS technology, and telematics platforms is typically required. Attention to detail, strong spatial awareness, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure safe, precise, and efficient excavation work, particularly in challenging or hazardous environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Excavator jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Excavator jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Remote Excavator jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Remote Excavator job openings:
Infographic showing various Remote Excavator job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,622 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Staff Engineer (Civil/Geotechnical/Structural/Tunnel)

Schnabel Engineering, Inc.

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site, Remote

$7.0K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabelโ€™s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 32 offices throughout the United States.ย 

Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.ย 

Benefit options include:ย 

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
  • Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
  • Long-term disability
  • Supplemental life insurance
  • 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
  • Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
  • Bonus program
  • Paid time off
  • 9 Paid Holidays
  • Wellness program
  • Professional development and tuition reimbursement

Job Description

Schnabel Engineering is seeking a Staff Engineer with a background in civil, geotechnical, geostructural, structural, or tunnel engineering to join our tunnel program management and engineering group in the Washington, D.C. area. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the design of tunnels, excavation support systems, underground structures, foundations, and structure or pipeline trenchless rehabilitation.

Candidate will support the project design team from a client office in Washington, D.C. or from Schnabelโ€™s Sterling, VA office.ย  Moving expenses, if required, may be reimbursable.ย ย 

Responsibilities

  • Support the planning, management, and execution efforts of tunnel and underground geostructural, geotechnical, rehabilitation and structural design projects.
  • Collaborate with multidiscipline teams through the design process.
  • Perform structural and geotechnical design calculations for tunnels, underground structures and rehabilitation projects including tunnels, shafts, excavation support, pipe rehabilitation and other underground facilities.
  • Develop contract documents for designs for tunnels, shafts, excavation support, tunnel and pipeline rehabilitations, and other underground facilities including preparation of calculations and design reports, plans, specifications, reports, and other project contract documents.
  • Provide on-site field engineering to support construction oversight of tunnel and underground projects in Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas.

Qualifications

  • Bachelorโ€™s Degree (Masterโ€™s Degree preferred) in Geotechnical or Structural Engineering, or related fields from an ABET-accredited intuition.
  • Candidate shall have 0-5 years of related professional experience.
  • Successful completion of the EIT.
  • Proficiency in preparation of design calculations, drawings, specifications, and technical memoranda.
  • Experience on tunnel, shaft, underground, pipeline, sewer, or geostructural projects is a plus.
  • Able to work independently and be responsible for the development of final design tasks.
  • Strong communication skills to interface with the Owner, Community and work effectively in a team of other consultants on multi-discipline projects.
  • Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
  • Periodic travel for projects, conferences, meetings, and other responsibilities is required and anticipated to be up to 20%.
  • Ability to work on active or potential construction sites including site work that may involve work in underground spaces, above slopes and shafts, over rough terrain, and in remote locations.

Other Requirements:ย 

  • Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record and credit checkย 
  • Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screeningย 

The compensation range for this position is between $70,00 to $90,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.ย