Tieback & Micropile Drill Operator
Company: VOLTRIC LLC
Job Type: Construction / Geotechnical Drilling
VOLTRIC LLC is seeking an experienced Tieback & Micropile Drill Operator to support geotechnical and shoring construction operations. The operator will be responsible for safely and efficiently operating specialized drilling equipment used for tiebacks, micropiles, ground anchors, soil nails, grouting, and tieback testing and stressing operations.
We are looking for a hands-on operator who understands drilling operations, casing installation and extraction, tendon installation, grouting, hydraulic jack testing and stressing, and the safe operation and maintenance of drilling and support equipment.
Responsibilities
- Operate specialized geotechnical drill rigs, including Comacchio, Klemm, Casagrande, Hütte, TEI, Beretta, or similar equipment.
- Perform drilling operations for tiebacks, micropiles, ground anchors, soil nails, and related shoring systems.
- Perform cased and uncased drilling as required by ground conditions and project specifications.
- Operate duplex/dual-head drilling systems and assist with casing installation and extraction.
- Install tieback tendons, bars, strands, centralizers, bearing plates, wedges, and related components.
- Assist with primary and secondary/post-grouting operations, including operation of grout mixers and pumps.
- Perform tieback anchor testing, stressing, and lock-off operations using hydraulic jacks.
- Set up and safely operate hydraulic stressing jacks, hydraulic pumps, pressure gauges, load cells, dial gauges, and displacement-measuring equipment.
- Perform proof tests and performance tests in accordance with project plans, specifications, and engineer requirements.
- Apply anchor loads incrementally and accurately record load, pressure, movement, and hold-time measurements during testing.
- Monitor anchor movement, creep, and load behavior during testing.
- Stress and lock off tieback anchors at the specified design load after acceptance.
- Maintain tieback testing records and coordinate testing with the project engineer, geotechnical engineer, inspector, or other authorized personnel.
- Inspect drilling and testing equipment and perform routine maintenance.
- Monitor drilling conditions, depth, alignment, penetration, tooling, casing, and equipment performance.
- Troubleshoot mechanical and hydraulic issues and perform basic field repairs when appropriate.
- Perform rigging, hoisting, spotting, and positioning of drill rigs, tooling, casing, jacks, and materials.
- Operate support equipment such as skid steers, excavators, forklifts, grout mixers, grout pumps, compressors, and hydraulic power units.
- Prepare and level working areas for drill-rig and testing-equipment setup.
- Handle drill rods, casing, tooling, grout lines, hydraulic hoses, and construction materials.
- Maintain an organized and safe work area and follow OSHA and project-specific safety requirements.
Qualifications
- Minimum 2–3 years of experience operating tieback, micropile, anchor, or similar geotechnical drilling equipment.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in construction, shoring, foundation, or geotechnical drilling.
- Experience operating Comacchio or similar tieback/micropile drilling rigs preferred.
- Experience performing tieback anchor testing and stressing with hydraulic jacks strongly preferred.
- Ability to safely set up and operate hydraulic jacks, pumps, pressure gauges, load-measuring equipment, and displacement gauges.
- Familiarity with proof testing, performance testing, creep monitoring, stressing, and anchor lock-off procedures.
- Ability to accurately document test loads, anchor movement, hold times, and test results.
- Experience with dual rotary/dual-head, duplex drilling, casing systems, or down-the-hole hammer drilling is a plus.
- Understanding of tieback installation, casing removal, tendon placement, and pressure grouting.
- Experience operating skid steers, excavators, forklifts, grout mixers, and grout pumps preferred.
- Ability to identify basic mechanical and hydraulic problems with drilling and testing equipment.
- OSHA 10-hour or OSHA 30-hour certification preferred.
- First Aid/CPR certification preferred.
- Must be dependable, safety-conscious, and capable of working effectively with a construction crew.
- Must be physically capable of frequent standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Must be comfortable working outdoors, on uneven terrain, and around heavy construction equipment.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with experience in the following are strongly encouraged to apply:
- Tieback drilling and installation
- Tieback proof and performance testing
- Hydraulic jack stressing
- Anchor lock-off
- Load cells, pressure gauges, and displacement measurement
- Micropiles
- Soldier pile and shoring systems
- Soil nails
- Rock and ground anchors
- Cased and duplex drilling
- DTH drilling
- Pressure and post-grouting
- Grout mixing and pumping
- Hillside or limited-access drilling
What We Are Looking For
VOLTRIC LLC is looking for an experienced operator who can safely take responsibility for tieback drilling, installation, grouting, testing, stressing, and lock-off operations. The ideal candidate can properly operate drilling and hydraulic testing equipment, recognize changing ground conditions, accurately document anchor testing, and work effectively with engineers, inspectors, and the field crew.
Experienced tieback drill operators with hydraulic jack testing and stressing experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
Pay: $26.21 - $31.56 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
