Equipment Operator

Martin Marietta•Fort Irwin, CA

About The Position

The Equipment Operator ensures top-tier material handling—from unloading raw inputs and managing stockpiles to loading finished products—while optimizing equipment uptime and maintaining site infrastructure.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
4+ years of heavy equipment operations experience in quarry, mining, or aggregates
Mechanical aptitude
Computer literacy
Troubleshooting
Critical thinking
Safety focused (MSHA)
Regulatory compliance
Effective communication
Time management
Must be able to lift and carry up to 50–75 lbs (depending on the specific site) to handle parts, tools, and maintenance equipment.
Ability to sit and operate heavy machinery for long shifts
You must be able to frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to inspect or service equipment.
Must be comfortable climbing ladders and stairs (sometimes up to 100 feet) to access plant structures or equipment cabs using the "3 points of contact" rule.
Ability to walk across steep, rough, or uneven terrain common in quarries and pits.
Good hand-eye-foot coordination is essential for operating controls. You must also have the visual acuity to perceive depth at a distance and the hearing to monitor equipment sounds and radio communications.
You must be able to work irregular shifts, including nights, weekends, and overtime.
All duties require outside assignments and require periods of work in all weather conditions, cold, wet, dry and dusty.
Must be able to work in areas where noise levels are up to 85 dbs.

Nice To Haves

Technical training (e.g., vocational certification) strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Drive operational best practices and sustain a high-performance team culture.
Coordinate material flow—from rail unloading through stockpiling to plant loading.
Uphold and improve site infrastructure: ensure roads, berms, conveyors, surge piles, crushers, loading areas, and work zones meet safety and efficiency standards.
Conduct thorough pre-/post-shift inspections and oversee PM schedules.
Handle basic repairs; coordinate advanced maintenance and track equipment health.
Use SOPs to diagnose, troubleshoot, and adjust equipment mechanics and systems to maximize production and minimize downtime.
Promptly identify and report equipment issues—ranging from minor malfunctions to significant mechanical failures—for immediate resolution.
Serve as a safety champion: enforce PPE compliance, adhere to MSHA regulations, participate in Guardian Angel safety programs, and lead incident investigations.
Mentor and train new or less experienced operators on safe equipment operation, site protocols, and maintenance best practices.
Facilitate onsite training workshops, sharing insights on advanced troubleshooting, preventive maintenance techniques, and regulatory compliance.
Provide operational relief across rail unloading, maintenance, quality control, scale house, and housekeeping.
Support site supervisors by coordinating equipment positioning, sequencing, and logistical support to optimize production flows.
Collaborate with site leadership, maintenance teams, and engineering departments to align equipment readiness with project milestones.
Provide recommendations to improve equipment deployment, training curricula, and maintenance procedures.