Senior Operator

Martin Marietta•Irwindale, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Operator (Dragline & Dredge) is a critical leadership and technical role responsible for the safe, efficient extraction of raw materials in complex mining environments. This position requires mastery of high-capacity excavating equipment—specifically large-scale draglines and hydraulic dredges—to ensure a steady flow of materials to the processing plant. As a "Senior" level team member, you are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, mentor junior operators, and serve as a frontline expert in site safety and equipment maintenance. Your primary mission is to maximize production volume while strictly adhering to MSHA regulations and maintaining the long-term mechanical integrity of our machinery.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or relevant experience in lieu of a degree
3+ years of experience operating Heavy Mining equipment, with specific expertise in Dragline or Hydraulic Dredge operations.
Mechanical aptitude
Troubleshooting
Critical thinking
Safety focused
MSHA compliance and regulations
Regulatory compliance
Effective communication (written and spoken)
Time management

Responsibilities

Safely operate large-scale draglines to strip overburden and extract raw aggregates, ensuring optimal bucket fill factors and cycle times.
Manage hydraulic dredging systems, monitoring vacuum and discharge pressures, pipeline flow, and cutterhead depth to maintain consistent slurry density.
Monitor pit walls and underwater slopes to ensure stability and prevent cave-ins or equipment loss.
Strategically position equipment to maintain clear haul roads or pipeline routes, preventing contamination of raw material streams.
Conduct comprehensive daily inspections of dragline rigging, hoist/drag cables, dredge hulls, and hydraulic systems.
Diagnose mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic issues early to minimize unplanned downtime.
Perform essential PM tasks, including greasing high-wear points, checking fluid levels, and cleaning cabs and equipment exteriors.
Assist maintenance crews with significant repairs, which may include cutting, welding, and cable replacements.
Champion Martin Marietta’s safety programs by identifying "near-miss" hazards and ensuring all personnel on-site use proper PPE.
Operate all machinery in strict accordance with Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) standards.
Monitor dredge discharge and dust levels to comply with environmental permits and spill prevention protocols.
Train and develop junior operators and laborers on equipment best practices and safety protocols.
Accurately complete daily production logs, maintenance reports, and safety inspections using digital or paper-based systems.
Maintain constant radio contact with plant operators and haul truck drivers to coordinate material flow and traffic patterns.