Heavy Equipment Operator

About Gillett Excavating

In just ten years, we’ve grown from a small residential startup into a company trusted to build the infrastructure that millions of people rely on every day, most of it buried underground, unseen but essential. We started by building assets; now we’re focused on building people. We believe hard work should lead to real rewards, accountability should create opportunity, and every project is a chance to raise the standard for what this industry can be.

How You’ll Contribute

We’ve grown to a point where we need to fill additional seats on our team. As a skilled Operator, you'll drive production on earthwork and underground projects efficiently, moving dirt, installing pipe, and shaping sites for new subdivisions and large commercial projects.

What You'll Get To Do

• Create consistent, high-quality results running late-model GPS-equipped excavators, dozers, loaders, and other equipment for pipe and dirt work.
• Drive production by planning ahead, anticipating the next phase, sequencing work effectively, and minimizing idle time.
• Protect the crew and equipment by always leading with safety, identifying hazards early, and keeping areas clean and organized.
• Help the team succeed, stay coordinated, and avoid rework by helping others, being accountable, and communicating.
• Work with a team of high performers who are hungry to grow, proud of the work they put in, and care about doing things right, not just fast. A crew that talks openly about what went wrong as often as what went right, learning from the "bummers" instead of burying them.
• Put in real hours and see real progress. Most weeks run 10 to 12-hour days with occasional Saturdays, giving plenty of opportunity for overtime and visible momentum on every job.

What You Bring

• You’ve spent real time in the seat of an excavator, dozer, or loader and know how to move dirt and/or install pipe efficiently without sacrificing safety or quality.
• You know how to read grade stakes and measure in tenths, so your grades come out right the first time.
• You're confident in your skills, but never act like you’ve got it all figured out. You keep learning, asking questions, and finding small ways to get better every day.
• You take extreme accountability for jobs to run smoothly. You think ahead, own your part, and bring a strong sense of safety.

Even Better, But Not Required

• You're experienced in mass earthwork and/or underground utilities
• You can read blueprints
• You've worked with GPS
• You have a CDL-A

Typical Schedule: We work 5-12s in the peak season, and 4-10s in the winter with occasional Saturdays. Most jobs are in the counties north of Detroit and out west towards Wayne and Washtenaw Counties. Per-diem for projects over 1.5 hours away from the office.

What’s In It For You

Position-Specific Perks

• Most jobs within 60 minutes of our offices. Per-Diem supplied for projects over 1.5 hours from office.
• Stay busy and see the extra effort show up on your check with steady, year-round work, plenty of hours, and overtime.
• Clear info, no guesswork, and no blind digging. We handle our own GPS and surveys, and you’ll always have access to current plans.

Culture & Work Environment

• Semi-flexible hours and days off with year-round work
• A culture built on accountability, consistency, and open feedback
• The owner works alongside the team, leading from the field as much as the office
• A company mindset focused on growth, constantly learning, improving, and evolving together

Tools & Technology

• Late Model John Deere and Caterpillar equipment
• Trimble GPS
• Large variety of crew support and safety equipment
• Constant evolution of updated tech and old school methods and machines to drive project success and efficiency
• Modern estimating and project management tools: Insite Elevation Pro, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, B2W, and GanttPro
• High-end computers and software to keep performance fast and reliable
• A tech-forward team that’s always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to bid and build

Pay & Benefits

• 401(k) with 4% company match
• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, and 50% for family
• Paid bonus program tied to company and individual performance
• Two weeks of paid time off

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and creating an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We comply with all applicable laws governing EEO and affirmative action, and we ensure that all employment decisions are made solely based on job-related qualifications and merit.

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