Senior Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) Operator / Locator III

Job Description Summary:

Job Description:

The Senior HDD Operator / Locator III is the lead technical authority and crew leader for horizontal directional drilling operations, responsible for planning and executing the company's most complex and critical underground utility installations. This role combines expert-level drilling and locating skill with field leadership — directing crews, developing bore plans, coordinating with project stakeholders, and setting the standard for safety, quality, and production. The Senior Operator works with minimal supervision and exercises significant independent judgment on high-risk work.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and operate HDD equipment on the most complex, deep, long, or high-risk bores, adjusting methods for difficult ground and environmental conditions.
• Plan and design bore paths, develop bore plans, and conduct pre-construction risk assessments using drawings, utility maps, and site evaluations.
• Lead utility verification and locating using systems such as DigiTrak or Subsite, ensuring clearances and resolving conflicts on critical installations.
• Establish and oversee drilling fluid programs tailored to geological and environmental requirements.
• Direct, train, mentor, and evaluate Level I and II operators, locators, and ground crew.
• Lead advanced equipment diagnostics, troubleshooting, and maintenance planning to maximize uptime.
• Own the accuracy and completeness of bore logs, daily production reports, inspections, and as-built documentation.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, inspectors, clients, locators, and other trades on scheduling and field resolution.
• Lead safety briefings, enforce OSHA regulations and company policies, and initiate corrective action when standards are not met.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and productive work environment across the crew.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Expert knowledge of HDD equipment, methods, and locating systems across varied conditions.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and validate construction drawings and bore plans.
• Expert mechanical aptitude and advanced troubleshooting capability.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and crew management skills.
• Sound, independent decision-making on complex and high-risk work.
• Effective communication and coordination with crews, stakeholders, and clients.
• Deep commitment to and ownership of safety, quality, and environmental compliance.

How We Work – TriTechne’s Core Values  

• Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of honesty and transparency in all of our actions and communications.  

• Accountability: We commit to results and exceptional quality in our work and fully embrace accountability to our team and to our goals.  

• Respect: We foster an environment of mutual respect, support, and encouragement, recognizing the value of every individual.  

• Coachability: We are committed to growth and self-directed learning, actively seeking and openly welcoming feedback on our performance and our decision-making. 

• Teamwork: We believe in the power of collaboration, leveraging our collective strengths to surpass individual capabilities in order to achieve shared objectives. 

Benefits

TriTechne offers a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees. The Benefit Package includes the following: Health, Dental, and Vision insurance, Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan with company match, paid time off, and other benefits that will be detailed upon your onboarding. ​