Excavator Operator
Dandelion Energy🌱 About Dandelion Energy:
Dandelion Energy is transforming how homes are heated and cooled—starting from (below) the ground up. As the nation’s leading residential geothermal company, we design, install, and maintain all-in-one heating and cooling systems that are cleaner, quieter, and up to 4x more efficient than traditional HVAC, with a focus on large, scaled deployments to large homebuilders. We’re an ambitious (and growing) team on a mission to revolutionize home heating.
Backed by Google Ventures (GV) and other top tech investors, our end-to-end geothermal solution is breaking the status quo of residential heating and cooling technology, and we’re scaling rapidly to meet demand. Whether we’re serving national homebuilders or individual homeowners, our mission is the same: to make geothermal the default choice for heating and cooling in the U.S.
📌 About the job
As an Excavator Operator at Dandelion Energy, you’ll serve as the lead operator on a trenching crew — playing a critical role in installing the underground piping systems that power our geothermal heating and cooling technology. This is a skilled, field-based role where you’ll be hands-on with excavation equipment and responsible for trenching precision, pipe installation, and site restoration. Success in this role comes from safety, craftsmanship, and proactive communication with your crew and project supervisors. You’ll report to the Regional Trenching Lead and work in close coordination with drilling and installation teams to deliver high-quality projects.
🛠 Responsibilities
- Operate excavators to dig trenches safely and efficiently for HDPE piping systems
- Install HDPE pipe/fittings from boreholes to heat pumps
- Restore landscapes to rough grade following excavation
- Ensure safe excavation practices around utilities (gas, electric, water, sewer)
- Tow, haul, and set up excavation equipment at job sites
- Maintain a safe, organized, and professional job site
- Provide guidance to trenching crew helpers and coordinate daily tasks
- Communicate progress, site conditions, and needs to supervisors and project leads
🎯 You will thrive in this role if you have
- A skilled, safety-first mindset with strong excavator operating experience
- High standards for quality, efficiency, and integrity in your work
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt in dynamic field conditions
- A proactive, reliable, and team-oriented approach to getting work done
- Excitement about building a sustainable future through renewable technology
✅ Must-haves
- 1+ years of direct experience operating excavators
- Proven comfort and skill excavating safely around utilities (gas, electric, water, sewer)
- Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record (required for traveling to job sites)
- Ability to tow and haul excavation equipment on a trailer
- Ability to lift 50 lbs and perform physical work outdoors in varying conditions
- Strong work ethic, dependability, and customer service mindset
- Willingness to travel up to ~35% to support regional projects
🌟 Bonus points for
- Experience in residential construction or excavation
- Broad construction knowledge, with familiarity in electrical, plumbing, and gas systems
- Familiarity with irrigation systems
- Prior exposure to geothermal, HVAC, or renewable energy projects
- Current CDL
💰Compensation
The expected base hourly range for this role in New York is $25-34/hour and is non-exempt/overtime eligible. This role is also eligible for a monthly performance bonus. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
🌳 You’ll love working at Dandelion because:
Since spinning out of Google X in 2017, Dandelion Energy has been transforming home heating and cooling through cutting-edge geothermal technology. We design and install the most efficient residential heat pump in the U.S., serving both individual homeowners and some of the nation’s largest homebuilders.
Our team has elevated the profile of geothermal heat pumps nationally, delivered thousands of high-quality installations across the country, and successfully championed electrification-friendly policy at local and federal levels.
We’re a multidisciplinary, mission-driven team of experts—spanning hardware engineering, HVAC, drilling, solar finance, behavioral economics, and startup operations—united by a shared mission: to make clean, affordable heating and cooling the default for every home. The work is complex, meaningful, and built to scale.
We foster a collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work culture where cross-functional teamwork, curiosity, and continuous learning are core to how we operate. Our nationwide team is united by a shared passion for sustainability and a commitment to scaling clean, affordable energy solutions that make a real difference.
We’re driving a wholesale shift in how homes are heated and cooled—join us.
🎁 Benefits & Perks:
- Medical (including mental health), dental, vision, and pet insurance
- 401(k) plan
- Commuter benefits
- Generous paid sick leave, vacation, and parental leave
- Learning & development support, including on-the-job training and virtual courses