Traveling Civil Equipment Operator
The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech-enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet-scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design-once, build-many model, we're accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy.
We operate with an AI-first mindset. Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision-making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence.
We hire people who are driven by purpose, thrive in ambiguity, and are energized by building what has never been built before. Our team combines intellectual curiosity with high agency, embraces candid feedback and continuous learning, and holds themselves and others to exceptional standards. Our values—Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappiness, and Tenacity—guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions every day. They are not words on a wall; they are the standard by which we operate. TRUST is the foundation of our safety culture, fostering intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, while our values challenge every team member to execute with urgency, humility, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.
About the role
The Civil Equipment Operator is responsible for operating heavy equipment to support the civil and site development activities of utility-scale solar construction projects. This role plays a critical part in preparing project sites, including grading, trenching, material movement, and road construction to ensure solar infrastructure is installed safely and efficiently.
Civil Equipment Operators work closely with civil crews, survey teams, and construction leadership to execute work in accordance with project plans, safety standards, and construction schedules.
*Note: This is a project-based construction role that requires travel between project sites as projects are completed and new sites are mobilized. Candidates must be comfortable working on multiple job locations throughout the project lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Operate heavy equipment including excavators, bulldozers, graders, loaders, rollers, and other earthmoving equipment to support solar site construction activities.
- Perform site preparation tasks such as grading, trenching, backfilling, and material placement for solar arrays, inverter pads, access roads, and drainage systems.
- Assist with trenching operations for underground electrical conduit and grounding systems.
- Support the installation of foundations, equipment pads, and civil infrastructure associated with solar facilities.
- Read and interpret construction drawings, site plans, and grade stakes to perform work accurately.
- Conduct daily equipment inspections and ensure machinery is operated safely and maintained properly.
- Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and project-specific safety requirements.
- Work with survey crews and site supervisors to ensure proper grading and alignment of site infrastructure.
- Maintain a clean and organized work area and ensure equipment is stored and secured appropriately.
- Assist with additional site construction activities as needed to support project progress.
Experience / Required Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience operating heavy equipment in civil construction, infrastructure, or utility-scale solar projects.
- Experience operating equipment such as excavators, dozers, graders, loaders, and compactors.
- Ability to read construction drawings, site plans, and grade stakes.
- Strong understanding of safe equipment operation and construction site safety practices.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physically demanding construction work.
- Valid driver’s license.
Nice to Have Experience:
- Experience working on utility-scale solar or renewable energy construction projects.
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
- Experience with GPS-guided equipment or machine control systems.
- Experience working on large-scale civil infrastructure or energy projects.
EEO Statement
The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.
Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.
Your safety is our priority. We want to ensure your job search stays secure. Please note that the team at The Nuclear Company only communicates through official @thenuclearcompany.com email addresses. We will never ask for payments or sensitive financial information at any stage of our recruitment process. For your peace of mind, please verify all openings and submit your applications directly through our official careers page.
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