Lead Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Growth Track to Foreman)

Onsite in Seattle, WA | Full-Time

$35–$50/hour (flexible for the right candidate)

Why This Role Stands Out

• Clear path to leadership (Foreman-level within 2–3 years)
• Stable, long-tenured team with strong retention and no history of layoffs
• Backed by significant investment and rapid growth
• Opportunity to work on specialized mechanical systems (rigging, winches, hydraulic equipment)
• Leadership team focused on developing and promoting from within

About the Opportunity

We’re hiring a mid-career Heavy Equipment Mechanic who wants more than just turning wrenches — someone interested in owning problems, leading people, and growing into a leadership role.

This position plays a critical role supporting operations tied to industrial equipment, rigging systems, and marine-related machinery. You’ll work both independently and collaboratively to troubleshoot complex issues, maintain high-quality standards, and help guide a small team.

What You’ll Do

• Diagnose, repair, and maintain mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems
• Work on equipment such as winches, cranes, diesel/hydraulic power units, forklifts, and related machinery
• Read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and manuals
• Perform tear-downs, rebuilds, and system troubleshooting
• Support and eventually help lead a team of ~5 technicians
• Process and manage work orders through internal systems
• Occasionally provide technical insight to customers or internal teams
• Contribute to a culture of ownership, accountability, and craftsmanship

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in heavy equipment, industrial, or mechanical repair
• Strong troubleshooting ability — able to solve non-routine mechanical problems
• Experience with hydraulics, diesel systems, and/or electrical components
• Comfortable using computer systems for work orders and documentation
• Welding and fabrication experience is a plus
• Background in rigging, wire rope, marine, or similar environments is highly desirable
• Leadership potential — either prior experience or clear desire to grow into it

Ideal Backgrounds

Candidates often come from:

• Heavy equipment or industrial repair shops
• Marine, shipyard, or towing environments
• Rigging or wire rope fabrication shops
• Crane, lifting, or material handling companies

What Success Looks Like

• You take ownership of your work and stand behind the quality
• You can diagnose and solve complex mechanical issues independently
• You build trust with teammates and naturally step into leadership responsibilities over time
• You’re looking for a long-term home, not a short-term stop

Compensation & Growth

• Hourly: $35–$50/hour (flexible based on experience)
• Clear path to lead/foreman role ($100K–$150K+ total comp)
• Full-time, stable employment with long-term upside

If you’re a strong mechanic who wants to grow into leadership and be part of a high-performing, stable team, this is a rare opportunity to do both.

Who is Rainier Recruiting

Rainier Recruiting is a boutique, award winning national staffing agency and executive search firm. Using an approach that “treats every candidate like an executive search”, we offer positions in contract-to-hire, Full-Time, and executive search. Named the #1 Best Workplace in Washington State in 2022, recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm, and identified as a top recruitment firm by multiple business journals, Rainier Recruiting is fast becoming a respected company. We are no longer the “best recruiters you have never heard of”. Rainier Recruiting is also proud to share our clients have a 93% repeat business rate. Rainier Recruiting is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and for the candidates we represent. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of every organization that we partner with.