Director, Survey

PRIME AE Group, Inc.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

PRIME AE Group, Inc. is seeking a Survey Director to lead Columbus-area survey operations. This senior role oversees field and office survey teams, drives cross-discipline collaboration, and ensures high-quality surveys for Site/Civil and Transportation projects.

You will shape strategy, mentor staff, and advance technology adoption while expanding PRIME AE’s surveying capabilities in the region. Ohio PS license is required; multi-state licensure is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Surveying, Civil Engineering, or related field strongly preferred.
• Professional Surveyor (PS) license in Ohio required; multi-state licensure preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive surveying experience, including 5+ years managing survey teams or multi-crew operations.
• Proven leadership, client relationships, and ability to scale operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Columbus-based Survey Department and regional operations.
• Lead planning and execution of complex land surveying for Site/Civil and Transportation projects.
• Ensure quality, accuracy, and timeliness of survey deliverables (boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, construction layout).
• Align survey operations with firm goals; drive technology adoption and workflow improvements.
• Manage budgets, staffing, equipment utilization, and performance.
• Mentor field crews, CAD technicians, project managers, and department managers.
• Review and seal survey plats, legal descriptions, and right-of-way documents.
• Serve as senior technical advisor to engineering teams for project delivery timelines.
• Represent PRIME AE’s survey practice in meetings and industry forums.
• Lead proposal strategy and scope definition for major pursuits.
• Monitor market trends and expand PRIME AE’s surveying presence regionally.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Surveying, Civil Engineering, or related field

Tools

GPS

Robotic total stations

LiDAR technologies

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Trimble Business Center

Job description

We Make Everything Around Us Better At PRIME AE, that’s not a slogan, it’s how we work.

Every bridge, building, campus, park, and roadway we design exists to improve how people live, move, learn, and connect. Through architecture, engineering, planning, and consulting, we partner with clients to create thoughtful, practical solutions that leave communities stronger than we found them.

If you want your work to matter, and to be surrounded by smart, collaborative people who care about doing things the right way, you’ll feel at home here.

Who We Are:

PRIME AE Group, Inc. ( www.primeeng.com ) is a nationally ranked, full-service architecture and engineering firm driven by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to strengthening the communities we serve. With a growing footprint of offices across the country and a diverse team of more than 550 professionals, we partner with public and private sector clients to deliver thoughtful, high-impact solutions across transportation, education, healthcare, municipal, federal, commercial, and recreational markets.

Our culture blends entrepreneurial energy with the resources of a scaled, multidisciplinary platform—giving our people the opportunity to shape meaningful projects while influencing the future direction of the firm. As PRIME AE continues to expand its capabilities, geographic reach, and leadership bench, this is an exciting time to join a team that is building momentum, investing in growth, and empowering leaders to make a lasting impact.

The Opportunity:

We are currently seeking an experienced and visionary Survey Director to lead our survey operations in Columbus and the surrounding region.

In this senior leadership role, you will oversee all aspects of field and office survey operations while aligning survey services with the firm’s strategic growth objectives. You will lead teams supporting both Site/Civil and Transportation projects, ensuring high-quality survey deliverables while advancing operational excellence, technology adoption, and market expansion.

This position is ideal for a seasoned Professional Surveyor who brings strong technical expertise, proven leadership experience, and the ability to build lasting client relationships while driving the continued growth of PRIME AE’s surveying capabilities throughout the region.

What You’ll Do:

As Survey Director, you will provide strategic leadership for survey operations while ensuring accurate, efficient, and timely delivery of survey services. You will oversee staff, manage departmental resources, support business development efforts, and collaborate closely with engineering teams to deliver high-quality infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction for the Columbus-based Survey Department and support operations across surrounding regional offices.
• Lead the planning and execution of complex land surveying efforts supporting Site/Civil and Transportation design projects.
• Ensure quality, consistency, and technical accuracy of survey deliverables including boundary surveys, topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys, construction layout, and right-of-way surveys.
• Align survey operations with the firm’s strategic goals by advancing technology adoption, workflow improvements, and service delivery standards.
• Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, equipment utilization, and operational performance.
• Mentor and develop survey staff including field crews, CAD technicians, project managers, and department managers.
• Review and seal survey plats, legal descriptions, right-of-way documentation, and acquisition records.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor to internal engineering teams, ensuring survey inputs support project design and delivery timelines.
• Represent PRIME AE’s survey practice in client meetings, industry organizations, and agency coordination efforts.
• Lead proposal strategy, fee development, and scope definition for major pursuits.
• Monitor regional market trends and actively expand PRIME AE’s presence across public infrastructure, land development, and transportation programs.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Surveying, Civil Engineering, or related field strongly preferred.
• Professional Surveyor (PS) license in Ohio required; multi-state licensure preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive surveying experience, including 5+ years managing survey teams, departments, or multi-crew operations.
• Proven experience leading teams, scaling operations, and developing strong client relationships.
• Strong technical expertise with modern survey equipment and software including GPS, robotic total stations, LiDAR technologies, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and Trimble Business Center.
• Experience supporting DOT, municipal infrastructure, utilities, and land development projects.
• Working knowledge of right-of-way acquisition, legal boundary analysis, and permitting processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally as needed.

Why PRIME AE:

We don’t just fill positions; we invest in people. At PRIME AE, you’ll find a supportive, flexible environment where careers are built intentionally, not accidentally. You’ll work on projects that improve everyday life, alongside colleagues who challenge and respect one another.

What sets us apart:

• Career Growth: Flexible career paths across disciplines, from technical expertise to project and people leadership.
• People-First Culture: We value trust, integrity, and collaboration, and we mean it.
• Meaningful Work: Projects that strengthen communities, infrastructure, and public spaces.
• Growth with Purpose: Strategic expansion backed by strong leadership and investment.
• National Reach, Local Feel: Big-firm resources with the agility and relationships of local offices.

Our Commitment:

PRIME AE Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment where differences are respected, voices are heard, and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.