Senior Survey Manager/Associate

kierwright; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

kierwright is seeking a Senior Land Survey Manager in Irvine, California to oversee survey/mapping operations. This role includes managing teams and a large portfolio, ensuring technical excellence, and developing client relationships.

The ideal candidate must have 15+ years of experience in land surveying, a Bachelor’s degree in Geomatics or Civil Engineering, and be a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in California. Leadership and project management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ relevant experience in Land Surveying.
• Experience managing staff.
• General knowledge of computers and digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple survey projects ensuring compliance with standards.
• Serve as primary point of contact for clients and agencies.
• Provide training and mentorship on surveying standards.

Skills

Project Management

Technical Accuracy

Client Communication

Leadership

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geomatics Engineering or Civil Engineering

Professional Land Surveyor License (LS) in California

Tools

Microsoft Office

Bluebeam

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

Summary

The Senior Land Survey Manager serves as the highest-level technical and operational leader within the Survey/Mapping department. This role oversees multiple project teams, manages a substantial portfolio of work, and acts as the Surveyor of Record for the firm. The Senior Land Survey Manager provides strategic direction, ensures technical excellence, drives quality assurance/quality control, and strengthens client relationships. This position requires deep expertise in all facets of land surveying, proven leadership experience, and the professional judgment necessary to guide department-level decisions.

ResponsibilIties

Project Management

• Lead multiple, concurrent survey projects with full responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, and performance metrics (KPIs).
• Oversee and enforce project management standards across all Survey/Mapping teams.
• Direct and review work on high-complexity deliverables, including boundary surveys, ALTA/NSPS surveys, topographic mapping, subdivision maps, legal descriptions, and Records of Survey.
• Expert level knowledge and experience in all phases of project management. Oversee project initiation, planning, staffing, schedule development, and project closeout.
• Ensure compliance with state and local laws, agency standards, professional practice guidelines, and internal quality procedures.
• Serve as technical escalation point for boundary disputes, high-risk surveys, or nonstandard conditions.

Technical

• Manages a large book of business - in excess of 1.5 million
• Serve as the Surveyor of Record responsible for signing and sealing survey documents.
• Apply advanced methods for control network adjustment, GPS processing, coordinate transformations, and geodetic evaluation.
• Develop and maintain department-wide technical standards and QA/QC procedures.
• Oversee the integration of new technologies, equipment, and workflows.
• Ensure technical accuracy of all deliverables produced by the department.

Coordination & Communication

• Serve as primary point of contact for key clients, municipalities, public agencies, and major development partners.
• Respond to complex client questions and provide expert guidance on survey requirements and best practices.
• Ensure consistent, proactive communication from project start through delivery.
• Strengthen client trust and maintain longstanding relationships.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Lead and manage Survey/Mapping staff, including Project Surveyors, Senior Survey Technicians, and Drafting Technicians.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching, feedback, and professional development plans.
• Support succession planning by identifying skill gaps and creating development pathways.
• Provide training and mentorship on boundary law, advanced computation, mapping standards, and professional practice.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented team culture.

Business Development & Marketing

• Manage a significant book of business (typically exceeding $1.5M annually).
• Identify new opportunities, add-on services, and long-term clients.
• Prepare proposals, scopes, project approaches, fee estimates, and staffing plans.
• Participate in interviews, industry events, and strategic marketing initiatives.
• Contribute to departmental and firm-wide operational planning.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Geomatics Engineering, Civil Engineering, or equivalent years of experience in Land Surveying
• 15+ years’ relevant experience in Land Surveying
• Professional Land Surveyor License (LS) in California
• Experience managing staff
• Experience with Project Management
• General knowledge of computers, Microsoft office, Adobe, Internet, Bluebeam, etc.
• Proficient knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Proven ability to manage workload, staffing, and resource allocation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This role requires a combination of office-based work and occasional travel to field locations.

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods at a desk and operate a computer.
• Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and scanners.
• Visual ability to read documents, spreadsheets, and computer screens.
• Ability to occasionally walk or stand on uneven or unpaved surfaces, including construction zones and undeveloped land.
• Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, bend, or climb during site visits or inspections.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment or documents weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, over the phone, and via digital platforms.
• Ability to drive to project sites and spend time outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Ability to visually observe site features and interpret plans, diagrams, and environmental conditions.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job.