Hydrographic Specialist

Woolpert; Port Orchard, Honolulu (WA, HI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Freedom to Work program

Principal program

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

Woolpert is seeking a Hydrographic Survey Specialist to join the Port Orchard, WA or Honolulu, HI team. You will conduct field hydrographic surveys and data processing for coastal projects across the US, with ~100 travel days annually.

The role emphasizes vessel operation experience, including towing survey vessels, and working in marine environments. Visa sponsorship is not available; applicants must have work authorization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, environmental science, ocean engineering, geology, geography, spatial science, marine science, or a comparable field.

Responsibilities

• Field tasks: multibeam and single-beam hydrographic survey; GNSS topographic surveys; GNSS and optical control surveys; operating and towing survey vessels.
• Office tasks: data processing for multibeam/single-beam, GNSS static network processing, 3D LiDAR processing.

Skills

Hydrographic survey

Vessel operation

GNSS surveys

LiDAR processing

3D visualization

Education

Bachelor's degree in surveying/geomatics or related field

Tools

HYPACK

QINSy

Qimera

SESWin

Global Mapper

Job description

We seek to move the world forward through innovative thinking.

Woolpert is an award‑winning, global leader in architecture, engineering, and geospatial services. We blend design excellence with cutting‑edge technology to deliver exceptional client value. Our team is passionate about their work and committed to building the next generation of industry leaders, and as a certified Great Place to Work®, Woolpert embraces progress and innovation to create limitless opportunities for career growth.

Position Overview

Woolpert is looking for a Hydrographic Survey Specialist to join our Hydrographic Survey team out of our Port Orchard, WA or Honolulu, HI office. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to spend real time in the field, working on marine infrastructure, marine construction, and navigational charting surveys throughout the US. Travel to other states will come up as project needs dictate, and candidates should expect approximately 100 days of travel throughout each year.

We are especially interested in candidates who bring both survey skills and vessel operation experience, including towing vessels on trailers. Ideally this person can run the boat as well as run the survey.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must already possess work authorization in the country the job is located.

What You Will Do

Field tasks will include:

• Multibeam and single‑beam hydrographic survey
• GNSS topographic surveys
• GNSS and optical horizontal and vertical control surveys
• Operating and towing survey vessels, and working in coastal waterways

Office tasks will include:

• Multibeam and single‑beam data processing
• GNSS static control network processing and adjustment
• Mobile and static terrestrial LiDAR survey processing (also referred to as 3D laser scanning)

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, environmental science, ocean engineering, geology, geography, spatial science, marine science, or a comparable field.
• Self‑motivated, quick learning, curious, and resourceful, with a common‑sense approach to problem solving and workload management.
• A genuine interest in working for a marine‑focused organization, and an appetite for regular field work and travel.
• Experience working on vessels and conducting hydrographic or land surveys.

Preferred experience and qualifications

• Experience operating and towing survey vessels.
• Experience with marine survey software such as HYPACK, QINSy, Qimera, SESWin, Discover, or other hydrographic survey programs.
• Experience using Global Mapper, AutoCAD, or other CAD software.
• Experience with magnetometer, side‑scan sonar, sub‑bottom profiling, or USBL positioning systems.
• Experience with LiDAR mapping and processing, including terrestrial or airborne systems.
• Experience gathering GPS data with Trimble GPS hardware and software, including data processing.
• Working knowledge of geodesy and experience generating PPK solutions.
• Experience with 3D visualization.
• Working toward Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) licensure.

None of the above is required on day one. We regularly hire people with a variety of backgrounds and give them adequate training on all of these topics, but candidates who already have exposure to any of it is preferred.

Benefits You Will Love

Certified as a Great Place to Work, Woolpert is one of the fastest‑growing architecture, engineering, and geospatial companies in the world. With over 75 offices and countless projects around the globe, you’ll work on meaningful assignments that improve quality of life worldwide. In addition to offering competitive pay, we provide employees with a robust set of unique benefits, including:

• Freedom to Work program: Set your own schedule and location (as appropriate).
• Principal program: Earn the opportunity to become an owner of the firm.
• Flexible paid time off/vacation: Take time off when it makes sense for you and your team.
• Career development: Explore a wide range of learning and growth opportunities within and across industries.
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance: Cover all your medical bases.
• Paid sick time, retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, pet insurance, identity protection, technology stipend, employee assistance program, and more!

Base pay offered may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Equal‑Opportunity Employer

Woolpert is an equal‑opportunity employer. Woolpert is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.