Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy Equipment Operator – Drive Large-Scale Commercial Site Development for Sweeney

Job Overview

• Company: Sweeney
• Pay: 40–48+ per hour, based on experience
• Location: Connecticut, United States
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Project Scope: Commercial Site Development
• Required Certification: OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
• Travel: Local Connecticut job sites; no overnight travel

The Opportunity

Join Sweeney as a Heavy Equipment Operator and help deliver major commercial site-development projects across Connecticut. You will operate modern heavy equipment on projects involving site preparation, utilities, concrete, paving, demolition, remediation, and large-scale infrastructure work. Sweeney combines hands-on construction experience with modern technology, including GPS- and satellite-guided equipment and advanced simulator training.

This is a year-round opportunity for an experienced operator who takes pride in working safely, maintaining equipment, and performing high-quality site work.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Safely and productively operate equipment including:
• Bulldozers
• Excavators
• Payloaders
• Articulated trucks
• Rock crushers

Perform commercial site-development work including:

• Grading
• Excavation
• Utilities
• Storm drainage
• Water and sewer infrastructure
• Demolition
• Paving
• Soil remediation
• Site preparation
• Work around modern GPS, satellite-guided, and machine-control technology.
• Perform daily pre-operation walk-around inspections.
• Conduct routine equipment checks and preventive maintenance.
• Identify equipment issues and report unsafe or abnormal operating conditions.
• Safely operate near active crews, underground utilities, structures, and tight site boundaries.
• Adapt equipment operation to changing weather, soil, and ground conditions.
• Follow site plans, supervisor direction, and project specifications.
• Coordinate with Superintendents and field leadership to maintain productivity and site safety.
• Travel directly to assigned job sites throughout Connecticut.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of heavy equipment operating experience.
• Significant experience in commercial or civil site development.
• Strong experience operating core equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, loaders, articulated trucks, or similar heavy machinery.
• Active OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
• Valid driver's license.
• Reliable personal transportation to travel to assigned Connecticut job sites.
• Ability to perform daily equipment inspections and routine preventive maintenance.
• Ability to work safely around active construction crews and changing site conditions.
• Ability to follow detailed job-site instructions and project requirements.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• 7+ years of dedicated heavy equipment operating experience.
• Background performing large commercial site-development projects.
• Experience with GPS, machine-control, satellite-guided, or construction layout technology.
• Experience with grading, utilities, foundations, drainage, paving, or similar civil construction work.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Previous experience working in a safety-focused, nonunion construction environment.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to safely perform the essential functions of a heavy-equipment operating role, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Frequently entering and exiting heavy equipment.
• Climbing onto equipment to perform inspections and routine checks.
• Bending, reaching, standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods.
• Working outdoors in changing weather and ground conditions.
• Safely lifting and handling materials or equipment components weighing up to approximately 50 pounds when required.

Work Environment

• Commercial and civil construction sites throughout Connecticut.
• Employees typically report directly to their assigned project rather than a central yard.
• No routine overnight travel.
• Projects may include apartment developments, commercial buildings, public-storage facilities, concrete structures, utilities, site infrastructure, and paving.
• Work is performed year-round in varying outdoor conditions.
• Sweeney operates as a nonunion contractor. Candidates with prior union experience are welcome to apply.

Compensation & Benefits

• 40.00–48.00+ per hour, based on experience and capability.
• Weekly pay.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Annual performance bonus opportunities.
• Profit-sharing opportunities.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• Safety equipment provided.
• Advanced technical and simulator training.
• Opportunities to learn modern GPS and machine-control technology.
• Defined opportunities for continued development and advancement.
• Employee referral program.
• Company events and team activities.

Training & Technology

Sweeney invests in modern construction technology and workforce development.

Operators may work with GPS- and satellite-guided equipment and have access to advanced simulator-based training through Sweeney's training infrastructure. Prior experience with this technology is valuable but is not required for every candidate; qualified operators can receive additional training.

About Sweeney

Sweeney is a Connecticut-based civil and heavy construction company specializing in commercial site development, excavation, structural concrete, utilities, paving, infrastructure, demolition, and remediation. The company performs large-scale projects throughout Connecticut and invests in modern equipment, technology, training, safety, and long-term employee development.

Learn more at https://sweeneystrong.com/.

Sweeney is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.