Demo

Heavy Equipment Operator

Progress Rail
Galesburg, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 4/1/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/1/2026

Job Purpose

The Equipment Operator will perform a variety of skilled or semi-skilled tasks involving the operation, servicing, and maintenance of heavy equipment in a industrial recycling operation.

Req ID

11797BR

City

Galesburg

State:

Illinois

Company Description

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

Key Job Elements

The primary duties include and are not limited to the following:
  • Operate Wheel Loader and/or tracked heavy equipment to move and process scrap materials;
  • Maintain equipment in good working order;
  • Effectively communicate with team members and customers;
  • Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable;
  • Ability to operate controls in an effect and efficient manner;
  • Daily equipment inspection and maintenance.

Education / Training

  • High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Previous experience operating a front-end loader, tracked heavy equipment;
  • Able to lift up to 50 lbs. without assistance;
  • Able to work in a team environment and individually;
  • Work in all weather conditions;
  • Must be able and have a willingness to work safe.

Essential and Physical Activities Functions:
  • Strength – Able to lift up to 50 lbs. without assistance;
  • Motion – Employee will sit for the majority of the shift, may kneel, squat and climb steps as needed throughout the day;
  • Vision/Hearing Requirements – Must be able to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness. The ability to see details at close range or at a distance;
  • Work Environment- Work in all weather conditions;
  • Emotional Demands – Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations;
  • Safety – Position is a safety sensitive position. Position requires following all safety procedures, policies and PPE requirements such that include hand, head, eye, hand, ear and foot protection.

Benefits

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Progress Rail.**
  • Competitive Salary
  • 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
  • Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
  • Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Time-Off (PTO)
  • Employee Assistance Plan
  • Education Assistance Program
  • Employee Recognition Programs
  • Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
  • Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
  • Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs

  • Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.

**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.

EEO

Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.


Job Category

Production - Hourly

PRS Facility Location

Galesburg, IL Recycling - 266

Summary Pay Range

$19.53 - $32.20

Salary : $20 - $32

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Heavy Equipment Operator.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Inspection Skill

    • Income Estimation: $47,107 - $66,186
    • Income Estimation: $50,084 - $69,688
  • Reading Blueprints/Diagrams Skill

    • Income Estimation: $50,057 - $66,266
    • Income Estimation: $50,092 - $68,593
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Progress Rail

  • Progress Rail Sherman, TX
  • Job Purpose WEEKEND SHIFT POSITION INLCUDES A SHIFT PREMIUM FULL BENEFITS START ON DAY ONE! $$ ELIGIBLE FOR QUARTERLY BONUSES $$ Operation of a CNC machine... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • Progress Rail Sherman, TX
  • Job Purpose WEEKEND SHIFT POSITION INLCUDES A SHIFT PREMIUM FULL BENEFITS START ON DAY ONE! $$ ELIGIBLE FOR QUARTERLY BONUSES $$ Operation of a CNC machine... more
  • 14 Days Ago

  • Progress Rail Boaz, AL
  • Job Purpose Provide financial, administrative, and clerical support to the organization. This role includes controlling expenses by processing, verifying a... more
  • 15 Days Ago

  • Progress Rail Taylor, KY
  • Job Purpose $$ELIGIBLE FOR QUARTERLY BONUSES$$200-500$$ COMPETITIVE PAY - UP TO $22.00 BY ONE YEAR (Range $18-$20 depending on position and shift different... more
  • 2 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Heavy Equipment Operator jobs in the Galesburg, IL area that may be a better fit.

  • Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company Galesburg, IL
  • Job Purpose The Equipment Operator will perform a variety of skilled or semi-skilled tasks involving the operation, servicing, and maintenance of heavy equ... more
  • 17 Days Ago

  • RiverStone Group, Inc. Hillsdale, IL
  • Here at RiverStone Group, we have spent the last 125 years working to be the best at what we do. Through our limestone aggregate products, we provide the f... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!