Senior Dredge Operator

Job Summary

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.

• 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.

3+ years of experience operating Heavy Mining equipment, with specific expertise in Dragline or Hydraulic Dredge operations.

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

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. for plant maintenance and equipment servicing.
• Required to bend, stoop, climb, and reach. You must be able to maintain three points of contact when climbing on/off machinery or on ladders.
• Strong hand-eye-foot coordination is essential for operating hand/foot controls. You must have good depth perception with or without seeing aid for distances up to 150 feet.

• 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.

In addition to the primary responsibilities outlined, the successful candidate may be expected to take on other tasks and assignments as required, including but not limited to duties outside the typical scope of the role to support overall team operations and organizational needs. Flexibility and adaptability to evolving job demands are essential.

The hiring range for this position is $45 - $60 exclusive of benefits or bonuses (discretionary and non-discretionary). The offered base compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, business need, market conditions, proficiencies, skills, education, and experience. Additionally, at Martin Marietta we place a high value on internal pay equity and will consider the compensation for those in similarly situated roles and direct team members.

The hiring range for this role represents the base compensation we expect to pay for the position at time of hire and does not represent the total possible base pay of the position.

In addition to our base compensation, we also offer a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage; prescription drug coverage; health savings accounts; flexible spending accounts; life, AD&D and disability insurance; 401(k) with a company match and an…