Hydrographic Survey Specialist - San Rafael, CA

Woolpert; San Rafael (CA); On-site; USD 65,800 - 82,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ownership path

Flexible PTO

Career development

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Fitness reimbursement

Pet insurance

Job summary

Woolpert is seeking a Hydrographic Survey Specialist to join our San Rafael, CA team. This role focuses on real fieldwork in marine infrastructure, navigational charting, and coastal surveys across California, with significant travel expectations and vessel operation duties.

The candidate will handle multibeam/singlebeam surveys, GNSS/topographic work, and LiDAR processing, while leveraging tools like HYPACK, QINSy, Qimera, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. Visa sponsorship is not provided.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in surveying or geomatics or a closely related field.
• Self‑motivated with a proactive approach to problem solving and workload management.
• Interest in marine-focused work and willingness to travel regularly.
• Experience on vessels or conducting hydrographic/land surveys.

Responsibilities

• Perform multibeam and singlebeam hydrographic surveys in field.
• Conduct GNSS topographic surveys and terrestrial LiDAR surveys.
• Mobilize survey vessels and manage GNSS/optical control surveys.
• Process data using AutoCAD Civil 3D and LiDAR software.

Skills

Surveying

Field Work

Vessel Operation

Problem Solving

Travel Willing

Education

Bachelor's degree in surveying or geomatics

Tools

HYPACK

QINSy

Qimera

SESWin

Discover

Global Mapper

AutoCAD

Trimble GPS

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. 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 San Rafael, CA 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 California, with a strong focus on the San Francisco Bay Area and the broader California coast. 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 where the job is located.

What You Will Do

• Field tasks: Multibeam and singlebeam hydrographic survey
• GNSS topographic surveys
• Terrestrial LiDAR surveys
• Survey vessel mobilization
• GNSS and optical horizontal and vertical control surveys
• Operating and towing survey vessels and working in coastal waterways

Office Tasks Will Include:

• Multibeam and singlebeam data processing
• GNSS static control network processing and adjustment
• AutoCAD Civil 3D
• 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 learner, 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 are preferred.

Benefits You Will Love

• Principal program: Opportunity to become an owner of the firm.
• Flexible paid time off and vacation.
• Career development across industries.
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
• 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.

Pay Range

$65,800 - $82,300 USD

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. Applicants who require accommodations during the application and interview process should request this in advance.