Suction Excavator Operator

About the role

Join our Asset & Technology Solutions team as a Suction Excavator Operator based out of our Raynesway, Derby site and you'll play a vital role in delivering fascinating, complex, varied, and deeply meaningful projects. Using state-of-the-art truck-mounted suction excavating machinery, you'll perform precise, non-destructive excavation—safely exposing underground utilities, removing debris, and supporting critical infrastructure work without risking damage to buried assets.

In this hands-on position, you'll drive to diverse sites, operate the equipment to the highest professional standards, and execute tasks exactly in line with your Operations Manager's guidance and our customers' specific requirements. Safety is at the heart of everything we do: you'll ensure all operations fully comply with current industry standards, regulations, and company policies—and where any gaps arise, you'll take prompt corrective action to resolve and close them out.

With a strong customer focus, you'll maintain exceptional standards on every job, contributing to reliable, efficient service that our clients trust. If you're passionate about operating specialised heavy equipment, prioritising safety, and making a real difference in essential asset protection and maintenance, this is your opportunity to be part of something impactful.

What you'll be doing

What you'll be doing

• Safely and efficiently operate suction excavator (vacuum excavation) equipment to perform precise, non-destructive excavation, including exposing buried utilities, removing soil/debris, and supporting groundworks projects while advising on and delivering best-practice solutions within your capabilities.
• Conduct basic HGV vehicle maintenance checks, including pre-use inspections, cleaning, lubrication, and minor routine upkeep to ensure the vehicle and equipment remain roadworthy and operational.
• Maintain up-to-date competency certifications, undertake required training to comply with current and evolving legislation, and stay knowledgeable about drivers' hours rules to ensure full legal compliance.
• Act as a Zero Harm leader by prioritising safety at all times, identifying and understanding potential hazards in groundworks operations, and promptly reporting any safety issues, near misses, or defects to the Operations Manager.
• Deliver exceptional customer service by understanding client requirements, building strong relationships, providing high-quality work to support and maintain preferred supplier status, and responding effectively to feedback.
• Ensure full compliance with the company's Health & Safety, Quality, and Environmental policies and procedures at all times.
• Be flexible and adaptable to meet business demands, including working nationwide (with occasional overnight accommodation), unsociable hours (nights, weekends), and varying shift patterns as required by project needs.

Who we're looking for

We’re seeking a skilled, safety-conscious Suction Excavator Operator to join our Strategic Assets team. You’ll bring hands-on experience, a strong safety focus, and flexibility for site-based work (Derby depot base, with travel/away stays required).

Essential:

• Proven suction excavator (vacuum excavation) operating experience
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Valid Safety Critical Medical (or willing to obtain)
• Good knowledge of health & safety practices and groundworks operations
• Ability to manage schedules, meet deadlines, and maintain high work standards
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills (verbal & written)
• Drive, ambition, and positive team attitude

Desirable:

• Suction Excavator NVQ
• HGV Class 2 licence
• Full CPC Driver’s Card
• CPCS A78 Vacuum/Suction Excavator certification
• NRSWA Streetworks qualification

Other:

• Flexible hours and willingness to work away from home
• Physically fit for outdoor/site conditions
• Ready to support other reasonable duties as needed

We offer further training and development to support your growth in the team.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Asset & Technology Solutions provides innovative, safe and sustainable solutions to the Balfour Beatty projects across the UK. Our wide range of equipment and services includes HGV’s, tower and crawler cranes, piling equipment, CCTV and security services, survey services and drones, suction excavators, sweepers, modular accommodation and much more.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com

Job Reference: BBUK15291