Reality Capture VDC Manager

BW Design Group; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 100,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

BW Design Group is seeking a Reality Capture Manager to lead the firm's capture capabilities, deliver high-quality scan-to-BIM data, and drive workflow adoption across projects. You will manage resources, schedules, and supplier relationships while advancing design and digital twin initiatives.

The role requires 5+ years in reality capture, laser scanning, or geospatial services, plus proficiency with Trimble/ReCap and BIM tools. A willingness to travel and strong leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in reality capture, laser scanning, or geospatial services in an AEC setting.
• Proficiency with major terrestrial laser scanners (e.g., Trimble X9, Leica, Faro).
• Strong knowledge of point cloud processing software (RealWorks, ReCap, etc.).
• Experience aligning point clouds with Revit/AutoCAD and BIM workflows.
• Familiarity with 360° cameras and platforms (DroneDeploy, OpenSpace, Cupix).
• Ability to scope and price professional services engagements.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel 30–40%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage Reality Capture as a core internal capability.
• Establish utilization, adoption, and quality targets for capture services.
• Define capture scope, deliverables, and pricing within design packages.
• Oversee reality capture projects from planning to final delivery.
• Lead adoption of capture workflows and mentor team members.
• Develop technology roadmaps and evaluate new scanning/digital twin tech.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client engagement

Travel readiness

Budget management

Business development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Surveying, Geomatics, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field

Licensed Professional Surveyor (PLS) or equivalent

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Tools

Trimble RealWorks

Trimble Perspective

Autodesk ReCap

Autodesk Revit

AutoCAD

DroneDeploy

Cupix

Job description

Who You'll Work With

You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world-class professional consultant and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment.

What You'll Do

When you join Design Group as a Reality Capture Manager, you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. In this role, you will work with a team of industry experts to help the worlds leading companies solve their most difficult problems. You will join our Architecture/Engineering Process Practice and partner with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver the highest quality solutions to our clients with consistency and accuracy.

The Reality Capture Manager is responsible for leading the firm’s Reality Capture capabilities in direct support of our design and construction services. This role develops and manages enterprise-wide reality capture resources including laser scanning, drone services, photogrammetry, mobile mapping, existing conditions documentation, and scan-to-BIM deliverables. The Reality Capture Manager is accountable for service delivery, quality, schedule performance, and technology strategy, ensuring accurate existing conditions data is seamlessly integrated into our design packages and supports design, construction, facility management, and digital twin initiatives.

The position serves as both a technical leader and service manager, driving adoption of reality capture across the organization, embedding capture workflows into standard project delivery, and reducing reliance on outsourced scanning services. Over time, the role is expected to mature these capabilities to the point where a portion of reality capture work can be offered as a stand-alone, revenue-generating service.

Primary Responsibilities

Service Line Leadership

• Develop and manage Reality Capture as a core internal capability that enhances the quality, accuracy, and efficiency of the firm’s design packages.
• Establish annual utilization, adoption, and service-quality targets aligned with project delivery needs.
• Develop internal service offerings, scoping guidelines, and charge-back models so capture services are consistently incorporated into project budgets.
• Track and report on cost performance including utilization, cost savings versus outsourced services, and return on technology investments.
• Create business plans supporting integration of reality capture across all markets, including a phased path toward future external service offerings.

Project Integration & Growth

• Partner with Project Managers, VDC Managers, Market Leaders, and Business Development teams to identify projects that benefit from reality capture services.
• Support proposals, interviews, client presentations, and scope development by defining capture scope, deliverables, and pricing within design service packages.
• Expand existing conditions, scan-to-BIM, drone mapping, asset documentation, and digital twin capabilities that strengthen our design deliverables.
• Develop repeatable capture packages that can be consistently applied across multiple business sectors and project types.
• Establish strategic partnerships with technology vendors and service providers.

Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee all reality capture projects from planning through final delivery.
• Manage scheduling, staffing, equipment utilization, and resource allocation.
• Develop scalable workflows, standards, and best practices that maximize productivity while ensuring quality standards and accuracy requirements.
• Manage reality capture subcontractors and supplemental service providers as required.

Technology & Innovation

• Develop reality capture technology roadmaps and capital investment strategies.
• Evaluate emerging scanning, drone, mobile mapping, and digital twin technologies.
• Standardize workflows and platforms to improve efficiency and reduce project delivery costs.
• Lead implementation of automation and AI-enabled data processing workflows.

Team Leadership

• Build and manage a high-performing Reality Capture team.
• Develop staffing plans aligned with project workload and future service growth.
• Mentor and train Reality Capture Specialists and Technicians.
• Establish career development paths and certification programs.

Key Performance Indicators

Financial Stewardship

• Cost Savings vs. Outsourced Capture Services
• Cost Recovery Through Project Charge-Backs
• Return on Technology Investments
• Equipment Utilization Rates
• Billable Utilization of Staff

Operational Performance

• Number of Projects Supported
• Schedule Adherence
• Quality Metrics
• Client Satisfaction Scores
• Reduction in Outsourced Services

Strategic Growth

• New Service Offerings Introduced
• Internal Adoption Rate
• Readiness for Future External Service Offerings
• Digital Twin and Asset Management Opportunities Created
• Business Case Development for a Stand-Alone Service Line

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Surveying, Geomatics, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in reality capture, laser scanning, or geospatial services within an AEC environment
• Proficiency with at least two major terrestrial laser scanning platforms (e.g., Trimble X9, Leica, Faro)
• Strong working knowledge of point cloud processing software: Trimble RealWorks, Trimble Perspective, Autodesk ReCap, or equivalent
• Experience integrating point cloud data into Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD; familiarity with BIM workflows and LOD standards
• Experience with 360° camera technology and image hosting platforms (e.g., DroneDeploy, OpenSpace, Cupix)
• Demonstrated ability to scope and price professional services engagements
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to project sites (potential for 30-40% travel)

Preferred

• Licensed Professional Surveyor (PLS or equivalent state licensure)
• Demonstrated experience managing a budget, service line, or cost center, including revenue tracking, cost control, and financial reporting
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and familiarity with drone photogrammetry
• Familiarity with mobile/SLAM and handheld laser scanning technologies
• Experience working in a hybrid environment and/or collaborating with remote or global teams
• Track record of building client relationships and identifying business development opportunities

Our culture and commitment to our people is what sets us apart. We foster an environment of mutual respect, integrity, and unconditional interest in the individual and collective success of our professionals. Our model and entrepreneurial mindset offer a rewarding, challenging, and highly flexible path. As a Reality Capture Manager, you will build a meaningful and fulfilling career with the support of professional development resources and mentorships including our First-Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path resources and tools. You will be surrounded by exceptional talent who will support your development as both a world-class engineer and a highly effective leader.

Feel like you’re on the path to becoming a Reality Capture Manager but you’re not quite there yet? We’d love to connect with you to see if we can take you from where you are today and grow you into a Design Group Engineering Consultant.

The approximate pay range for this position is $100,000-$151,000. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.