Principal Hydrographic Surveyor (Subsea, Offshore, ROC, USV, AUV)

Ag Staffing Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading staffing firm in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a Principal Hydrographic Surveyor/Hydrographer to lead offshore survey operations and ensure data quality and compliance with industry standards. The role involves overseeing survey missions, developing technical documentation, and engaging with clients and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have extensive offshore experience and strong leadership skills within multi-disciplinary teams. This position offers an opportunity to shape operational efficiencies and drive safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in survey operations, particularly offshore.
• Strong understanding of data acquisition processes and quality control.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex survey projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead survey operations ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Develop and govern survey standards and technical documentation.
• Act as the technical contact for clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Survey Operations Leadership

Technical Document Governance

QHSE Compliance

Stakeholder Engagement

Data Quality Management

Tools

MBES/SBES

INS/DVL

USBL beacons

Satellite/4G links

Job description

Principal Hydrographic Surveyor/Hydrographer (Subsea|Offshore|ROC|USV|AUV) - LRT

Principal Hydrographic Surveyor/Hydrographer/Subsea/Offshore Principal Surveyors (Offshore, ROC, USV, AUV) - LRT

JOB SUMMARY:

Lead the conventional and remote survey operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant data acquisition, processing, and delivery. The role combines offshore survey technical authority with day‑to‑day team leadership for offshore survey operations and Remote Operation Centre (ROC) activities, aligned to recognised industry competence principles and USV/AUV guidance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Leadership

Plan, authorise, and supervise survey missions for conventional vessels and from the decisions, handovers, watchkeeping, alarms, and failsafe arrangements. Chair daily operational briefings and debriefings; apply Management of Change (MoC) processes for operational deviations; and coordinate with Marine Control and Vessel Traffic Systems (VTS) where applicable. Own the end‑to‑end data quality lifecycle, including line planning, patch tests, offsets, quality control gates, and final deliverables sign‑off. Undertake offshore assignments on a periodic basis as operationally required.

Technical Authority (Survey)

Develop, maintain, and govern all survey methods, standards, and technical documentation. Review and approve technical waivers; lead FAT, SAT, patch‑test campaigns, and the preparation and approval of method statements. Direct the integration, configuration, and validation of survey payloads and communication systems, including MBES/SBES, INS/DVL, USBL beacons, and satellite/4G links.

QHSE & Compliance

Enforce best practices for survey and USV safety, operational efficiency, and ROC readiness. Prepare for, host, and support internal and external inspections and audits. Lead incident investigations, capture lessons learned, and drive Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA). Maintain emergency response preparedness, including drills for loss‑of‑link and other.

People & Capability

Line‑lead and support multi‑disciplinary survey teams, including surveyors, pilots, and data processors. Develop a documented competence scheme for surveyors, USV pilots and data processors and run coaching, training, assessments and sign‑offs against it.

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

Act as the technical point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders. Present survey methodologies, provide bid and tender support, deliver HIRA and QC evidence, and manage technical change requests and scope growth.