Senior Hydrographic Surveyor

Discovery Marine (DML) Ltd; Tauranga; On-site; AUD 73,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Discovery Marine (DML) Ltd is seeking an experienced Senior Hydrographic Surveyor to lead projects in NZ and Australia, based in Mount Maunganui. You will act as SIC/SPC, guiding data acquisition, processing, and reporting from planning through to delivery.

You will mentor junior staff, influence workflows, and help develop the team’s technical capability while upholding high standards and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in hydrographic surveying.
• Relevant surveying qualification (BSurv or international equivalent) and CPHS1 certification, or CPHS2 with a pathway towards CPHS1.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrographic survey projects with other Senior Hydrographic Surveyors; ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
• Oversee data acquisition, processing, QA/QC, and reporting to standards.
• Operate and maintain survey equipment and software.
• Collaborate with technical leads and field teams for project success.
• Contribute to project planning and documentation.
• Support the Quality Management System (QMS) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records of time, expenses, and equipment usage.
• Mentor junior staff and support professional development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Hydrographic systems

Hydrographic software

IHO standards

LINZ HYSPEC

HIPP SOR

NZ Driver’s Licence

Travel

Education

BSurv or international equivalent

CPHS1/CPHS2 certification

Tools

HYPLAN

HIPP SOR

LINZ HYSPEC

Job description

DML is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Hydrographic Surveyor to join our team based in the Bay of Plenty, NZ. You’ll lead hydrographic survey projects across a diverse client base, working as Surveyor in Charge (SIC) or Survey Party Chief (SPC) and managing projects from planning and data acquisition through to processing, analysis and reporting.

We have a great crew who work hard, take pride in what they do and support each other to get the job done well. We value people who share what they know, pitch in when needed and understand that good project outcomes come from strong teamwork rather than individual effort.

As one of our senior surveyors, you’ll play an important role in mentoring junior staff and helping them build their skills and confidence. You’ll also have the opportunity to influence how we work, improve our systems and workflows, and help us continue to develop our people and technical capability.

This role will suit someone who enjoys a challenge, communicates well and is comfortable leading from the front. You’ll have high standards for your own work while taking a genuine interest in helping the people around you succeed.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead hydrographic survey projects alongside DML’s other Senior Hydrographic Surveyors, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery. Reporting and communication are important parts of the role, and you will contribute at a high level to HYPLAN (LINZ) and HIPP (AHO) project reports and deliverables.
• Oversee data acquisition, processing, QA/QC, and reporting to meet client and industry standards.
• Operate and maintain survey equipment and software.
• Collaborate with technical leads and field teams to ensure project success.
• Contribute to project planning and documentation.
• Support DML’s Quality Management System (QMS) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records of time, expenses, and equipment usage.
• Mentor junior staff and support professional development across the team.

About you

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in hydrographic surveying.
• Relevant surveying qualification (e.g. BSurv or international equivalent), and CPHS1 certification, or CPHS2 with a pathway towards CPHS1.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Proficient with hydrographic survey systems and software.
• Familiarity with IHO standards, LINZ HYSPEC, HIPP SOR and modern hydrographic workflows.
• Legally able to work in New Zealand and Australia.
• Current NZ Driver’s Licence and willingness to travel (approximately 90 days/year).

Also Desirable

• Experience with project management, pricing, and tendering.
• Passion for mentoring and developing others.
• Willingness to be based in the Mount Maunganui area and work as part of our locally based team.

Why DML?

DML is a growing company with a close-knit team and a strong reputation for delivering high-quality hydrographic survey work. We work hard and set high standards, while maintaining a supportive culture where people enjoy working together, share their knowledge and look out for each other.

We invest in our people, our equipment and opportunities for our crew to develop their technical, leadership and wider professional skills. Senior staff play an important part in supporting the next generation of surveyors, while having the opportunity to continue developing their own technical, leadership and project management skills.

Been working offshore and thinking about coming home to New Zealand? DML offers the opportunity to base yourself in New Zealand while continuing to work on interesting and challenging hydrographic projects across NZ, Australia and the Pacific

Join an experienced, supportive team where knowledge is shared and people work together to get the job done.

Work with modern survey equipment and technology, with DML continuing to invest in the tools and capability our people need.

Develop your career through increased technical, project and leadership responsibility, with pathways towards Technical Lead, Work Stream Lead or Survey Manager roles.

Have a genuine opportunity to influence how DML works, including new technology, equipment, workflows and future markets.

If you’re looking for challenging work, good people to work alongside and the opportunity to have a real influence on a growing hydrographic survey business, we’d like to hear from you.