Hydrographic Surveyor

HARMONY BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES LTD; Irvine; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Electric car scheme

Company pension

Job summary

Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd, part of SOCOTEC Group, invites candidates for a Hydrographic Surveyor role in Irvine. You will conduct high‑resolution hydrographic surveys across inland waterways, coastal regions and offshore sites using multibeam and side‑scan sonar from our modern fleet.

Ideal candidates hold a degree in Hydrography/Geomatics or Marine Science, familiarity with QPS QINSy or equivalent, and a willingness to travel and work on vessels.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Hydrography, Geomatics, Marine Science, or related.
• Experience with hydrographic acquisition and processing software.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute high-resolution hydrographic surveys across diverse environments.
• Operate multibeam, side-scan sonar and GNSS equipment to collect data.
• Process data and prepare reports, charts and visualisations to client specs.
• Assist in QA, project coordination and liaise with clients.

Skills

Hydrographic surveying

GNSS data collection

Data processing

Communication skills

Driving licence

Education

Degree in Hydrography / Geomatics / Marine Science

Tools

QPS QINSy

Qimera

Hypack

EIVA NaviSuite

SonarWiz

AutoCAD

QGIS

Job description

Job Description

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Starting Salary: Competitive plus Company Vehicle and Benefits

Closing date: 30/10/2026

Hydrographic Surveyor

Due to the continued expansion of our portfolio of survey services we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Hydrographic Surveyor to join our team and to support operational and QA processes.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Hydrographic Surveyor to conduct precise underwater mapping and bathymetric surveys across UK waters. You’ll work with cutting-edge survey equipment including multibeam echo sounders and side-scan sonar from our modern fleet of survey vessels, delivering critical marine survey data that supports infrastructure development and maritime navigation projects.

The tasks you will undertake will include (but are not limited to):

• Conduct Hydrographic Surveys: Plan and execute high-resolution hydrographic surveys across diverse environments, including inland waterways, coastal regions, and offshore sites
• Operate Advanced Survey Equipment: Utilise and maintain sophisticated survey instruments such as multibeam and single-beam echo sounders, side-scan sonar, magnetometers, and GNSS systems to collect accurate data
• Data Processing and Analysis: Process and analyse collected hydrographic data using industry-standard software, ensuring the production of precise and reliable survey results
• Report Preparation: Generate comprehensive survey reports, charts, and visualizations that meet client specifications and adhere to international standards
• Quality Assurance: Implement and adhere to robust QA procedures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of survey data throughout all project phases
• Project Management: Assist in the planning and coordination of survey projects, including resource allocation, scheduling, and liaising with clients to meet project objectives
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers and environmental scientists, to integrate hydrographic data into broader project frameworks
• Equipment Maintenance: Ensure all survey equipment is properly maintained, calibrated, and ready for deployment to guarantee optimal performance during field operations
• Health and Safety Compliance: Adhere to all health, safety, and environmental regulations, promoting a culture of safety within the survey team
• Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of technological advancements in hydrographic surveying and contribute to the continuous improvement of survey methodologies and practices

To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Hydrography, Geomatics, Marine Science, or a related discipline. Recent graduates with relevant training are welcome to apply
• Basic understanding or experience with hydrographic acquisition and processing software such as QPS QINSy, Qimera, Hypack, EIVA NaviSuite, or SonarWiz
• Exposure to or working knowledge of data acquisition and processing for multibeam and singlebeam bathymetry. Experience with side-scan sonar, magnetometers, or LiDAR is an advantage
• Basic skills in CAD and/or GIS software (e.g., AutoCAD, QGIS, ArcGIS)
• Some practical industry experience (e.g., through work placement, internships, or previous roles) in hydrographic or geophysical surveying
• Enthusiastic with a willingness to learn new techniques and take initiative in field and office tasks
• Full UK driving licence is essential
• Willing and able to travel and stay away from home for site work, sometimes at short notice
• Comfortable working aboard survey vessels. RYA Powerboat Level 2 or willingness to obtain is advantageous
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment

Location

Candidates must live within (or be willing to relocate to) a commutable distance of the company’s offices in Irvine.

About Aspect

A part of SOCOTEC Group and with over 25 years of experience, Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd is a trusted name in chartered surveying, delivering high-quality services across the UK and internationally. We utilise the latest survey technology and adhere to RICS regulations, with accreditations from RICS, The Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors, and The Hydrographic Society.

What’s in it for you?

As well as a competitive salary (not needed if salary is listed), we can offer you a wide range of benefits including 25 days holiday with the opportunity to buy more, an electric car scheme (where applicable), employee recognition schemes, family friendly support, employee benefits and discounts app, employee assistance programmes, and enhanced company pension.

SOCOTEC UK are proud to be Disability Confident accredited.

Why SOCOTEC?

Here at SOCOTEC UK, we have over 2,000 colleagues across our divisions delivering world-class services to our customers. We provide an unrivalled range of testing, inspection, and certification services throughout the UK, and we deliver excellence to our customers by recruiting and retaining the very best industry talent.

We offer transversal career pathways as well as linear pathways, and we will support you in attaining a portfolio career in one place. Not to mention the possibility of working locally, nationally, or globally, in the office or remotely. We are committed to your personal and professional development, and you will be supported in every step of your journey with us. #YouGrowWeGrow

Building a safer and more sustainable world is the core mission we set out to achieve at SOCOTEC, it is at the heart of everything that we do. We are committed to acting as a key player in society, investing in innovative solutions to ensure social and environmental concerns are at the forefront of all of our business operations