Airport Survey CAD & 3D Specialist

Salt Lake City Corporation; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 79,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental, Vision and Life Insurance

Paid vacation and personal leave

Parental leave (6-12 weeks)

Job summary

Salt Lake City Corporation is seeking a Airport Survey CAD & 3D Specialist to manage and transform complex survey and LiDAR data into accurate geospatial deliverables. You will use CAD and 3D modeling tools to produce engineering-ready outputs for airport projects and collaborate with surveyors, engineers, GIS staff, and project managers.

The role offers exposure to advanced 3D technologies and requires strong attention to detail, self-reliance, and the ability to work independently with limited

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; interest in drafting & surveying concepts.
• Two years’ drafting/design or survey/work experience; related training can substitute.
• NICET Level 1 certification or equivalent is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Capture, process, and manage LiDAR datasets and survey data.
• Perform point cloud registration, classification, and surface modeling.
• Prepare survey, engineering, and 3D data for reports and presentations.
• QA/QC reviews to ensure FAA compliance and client specs.
• Develop and maintain documentation and processing procedures.
• Collaborate with survey teams, engineers, GIS staff, and project managers.
• Document workflows and processing logs; pursue process improvements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Self-reliance

Organizational skills

Data interpretation

Education

High school diploma

Civil engineering-related post-secondary training

NICET Level 1 certification

Tools

Autodesk Suite

Trimble

Aura

CAD/drafting software

Job description

Job Description

Supports the Airport Survey department by managing survey and LiDAR data for large-scale geospatial projects and ensuring the delivery of accurate, high-quality datasets. Responsible for collecting, cleaning, calibrating, and transforming raw laser scan (LiDAR) point clouds and survey data into precise 3D surface models, digital elevation maps, and engineering-ready CAD deliverables. Uses advanced technical expertise to capture and process 3D data, survey drawings, point files, and engineering documents. May rotate as job assignments require. Exercises discretion and independent judgment in performing assigned duties.

Position Title

Airport Survey CAD & 3D Specialist

About The Position

As a Survey CAD & 3D Specialist, you’ll support airport survey and engineering projects by managing and transforming complex survey and LiDAR data into accurate, high-quality geospatial and 3D deliverables. You’ll use specialized technology and software to develop data and models that support airport planning, design, and construction while collaborating with surveyors, engineers, GIS staff, and project managers. This role offers the opportunity to work with advanced 3D technologies and contribute to innovative solutions for large-scale airport projects.

Compensation

This position may be filled at any of six levels based on qualifications.

Levels I–V (AFSCME): $22.59–$39.35/hour, depending on level

Level VI: $78,555–$87,284 annually

This Position Is Eligible For Full City Benefits, Including

• Health Insurance
• Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• Paid vacation and personal leave
• 6-12 weeks of paid parental leave available
• Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)
• A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually
• Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services

Typical Duties

• Capture, process, and manage survey and LiDAR datasets using Trimble, Autodesk, Aura, and other data processing platforms as needed.
• Import raw point cloud files and perform advanced point cloud registration, classification, feature extraction, and surface modeling.
• Perform technical drafting and prepare survey, engineering, and 3D data for reports, presentations, and other deliverables.
• Conduct rigorous QA/QC reviews to ensure accuracy and compliance with FAA requirements and client specifications.
• Prepare and manage datasets for deliverables that support engineering, planning, and design workflows.
• Ensure proper handling of coordinate systems, projections, and geospatial data standards.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, reports, and processing procedures.
• Collaborate with survey teams, project managers, engineers, and GIS staff to align survey and LiDAR deliverables with project objectives.
• Document workflows, maintain processing logs, and contribute to the consistency of operational procedures.
• Promote innovation by identifying and implementing process improvements and automation strategies.

Desired Qualifications

• Expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Suite, Trimble applications, and other CAD-related programs.
• Four or more (4+) years of experience in LiDAR data capture, processing, registration, and geospatial workflows. Additional education and/or experience in 3D modeling or a related field may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience with airport, FAA, or transportation projects preferred.
• Strong technical proficiency in LiDAR processing, QA/QC, and geospatial data management.
• Data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Understanding of coordinate systems, projections, and geospatial data standards.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documentation and workflow management.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements, automation strategies, and new technologies.
• Self-reliance and ability to operate independently with limited direction.

Minimum Qualifications

Level I

• High school graduation or equivalent. Interest in learning basic drafting and design, surveying, construction methods, materials inspection and related work, with fundamental knowledge of algebra, and general science obtained from high school level course.
• Knowledge of basic engineering terms as they apply to records management, inventory control, or engineering field work.
• Ability to work well with contractors, developers, co-workers, supervisors and the general public under varying circumstances, and to answer basic procedural questions.
• Ability to learn and operate computers in engineering applications.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card.

Level II

• High school graduation or equivalent. Two years’ paid work experience performing drafting and design, survey work, construction inspection or closely related field. Two years’ formal post high school training in civil engineering or related field such as drafting, surveying, materials testing, building trades, or construction inspection may be substituted for two years’ field experience. Training must include at least 22 quarter or 16 semester hours of passing grades for related subjects.
• Ability to maintain detailed records, prepare written reports, and work well with contractors, developers, co-workers, supervisors, and the general public under varying circumstances. Working knowledge of field construction methods, programmable computers, or related/required software.
• If required by department, ACI Certification - Level 1 within six months of hire.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card.

Level III

• High school graduation or equivalent. Four years' paid work experience performing drafting and design, survey work, construction inspection or other closely related work. Two years' formal post high school training in civil engineering or related field such as drafting. surveying, materials testing, building trades or construction inspection may be substituted for two years' field experience. Training must include at least 45 quarter or 30 semester hours of passing grades for related subjects, and at least one course in computer work as it relates to civil engineering.
• Certification at NICET Level 1, or recognized equivalent.
• Ability to maintain detailed records, prepare written reports, and work well with contractors, developers, co-workers, supervisors and the general public under varying circumstances. Working knowledge of field construction methods, programmable computers or related/required software.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card.

Level IV

• High school graduation or equivalent. Six years’ paid work experience performing drafting and design, survey work, construction and materials inspection or closely related field. Two years’ formal post high school training in civil engineering or related field such as drafting, surveying, materials testing, building trades or construction inspection may be substituted for two years’ field experience. Training must include at least 45 quarter or 30 semester hours of passing grades for related subjects. Two years’ paid work experience using computers in computer aided design and construction management in civil engineering applications are required and may be included in the six year requirement.
• Ability to lead and facilitate other team members, plan projects, maintain detailed records, prepare written reports, and correlate data collected from total station equipment or other survey techniques for incorporation in project planning, design and construction by means of computer software applications. Must be able to work well with contractors, developers, co-workers, supervisors and the general public under varying circumstances.
• Technical training and certification from an engineering technical association or accredited educational institution as outlined in Salt Lake City’s engineering technical advancement guidelines or a department approved equivalent.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card.

Level V

• High school graduation or equivalent. Eight years’ progressively more responsible work experience related to design and construction/materials inspection, with one year of lead person experience. Graduation from a technical college in a technical related field may be substituted for two years’ paid work experience.
• Technical training and certification from an engineering technical association or accredited educational institution as outlined in Salt Lake City’s engineering technical advancement guidelines or a department approved equivalent.
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern techniques, technology, equipment, computerized systems and engineering software applications used in design and construction, knowledge of survey methods, procedures and materials testing. Ability to prepare written and oral reports on complex projects and issues, and ability to present them effectively to a variety of persons including co-workers, contractors, general public and government officials.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card.

Level VI

• Ten years’ progressively more responsible work experience, performing duties related to design and construction engineering, with one-year supervisory experience on at least the lead person level. Graduation from a technical college in a technical related field may be substituted for two years’ paid work experience.
• Technical training and certification from an engineering technical association or accredited educational institution as outlined in Salt Lake City’s engineering technical advancement guidelines or a department approved equivalent.
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern techniques, technology, equipment, computerized systems and engineering applications used in design and construction; knowledge of survey methods, procedures and materials testing.
• Ability to prepare and present written and oral reports on complex projects and issues, and interface effectively with a variety of persons including co-workers, contractors, general public and government officials.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card.

Working Conditions

• Moderate physical activity. Required to push, pull or lift medium weights up to 50 pounds. Uncomfortable working positions such as stooping, crouching and bending. May have a few disagreeable elements such as appearance of work place, poor ventilation or uneven temperature. Projects may require unconventional hours and overtime.
• Intermittent exposure to stress as a result of human behavior.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time

DEPARTMENT

Airport

Full Time/Part Time

Full time

Scheduled Hours

40