SUE Tech

Souder, Miller & Associates; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K / ESOP

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

FSA

Dependent Care

Job summary

Souder, Miller & Associates is seeking a SUE Technician for its Geomatics Tech Sector. The role supports utility investigation and mapping in the Albuquerque, NM area, with travel to Las Cruces as needed.

You will perform SUE tasks to designate, locate, collect, and document underground utilities using standard equipment and methods. Responsibilities include field data collection, data quality, and collaboration with project teams while upholding safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical training preferred.
• 1-3 years in utility locating, surveying, SUE work, or related field, or willingness to be trained.
• Experience with Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) or 811 utility locating is a plus.
• Knowledge of ASCE 38 utility investigation standards.
• Experience with GPR and vacuum excavation equipment.
• OSHA 10/30, confined space, or MUTCD/traffic control certifications.
• Familiarity with EM locators, GPS, GPR systems, or related technologies.

Responsibilities

• Perform utility locating and designating using EM locators, GPR, sondes, and other SUE tools.
• Collect survey-grade utility data for Quality Levels B, C, and D as defined by ASCE 38.
• Support vacuum excavation operations to expose utilities for QA investigations.
• Interpret field markings, utility records, GIS data, and construction plans.
• Document utility features using field devices, GPS, tablets, or data-collection software.
• Maintain and troubleshoot field devices and vehicles.
• Follow safety protocols and traffic control requirements.
• Read and interpret construction drawings and utility records.
• Communicate with crew, clients, and contractors; prepare field notes and daily reports.
• Overtime and travel may be required; assist in design, construction, and coordination tasks.

Skills

Safety-minded

Reading drawings

Communication

Travel-ready

Driver's license

Willing to travel overnight

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical training preferred

Tools

GPR equipment

EM locators

GPS data collection

CAD software

GIS systems

Data-collection tools

ASCE 38 knowledge

Job description

Growing, Succeeding and Designing Our Future Together

We are looking for future team members who are excited to make an impact. As an employee-owned company, we are dedicated to the betterment of our clients, our communities, and our employees. Your contribution is key to the quality of service SMA delivers. Throughout your career with SMA, there will be opportunities for you to improve the skills you need to achieve your professional goals. We encourage you to explore innovative ways to develop solutions while collaborating with team members inside and outside the organization by providing the framework for you to find success.

We don't just talk about being client-focused; the engineers, scientists, surveyors, technicians and other professionals at SMA live and breathe it. After all, we are members of the communities we help.

SUMMARY:

Souder, Miller & Associates is recruiting for a Subsurface Utility Engineering Tech (SUE Technician) position in the Geomatics Tech Sector. The position is located in the Albuquerque, and/our Las Cruces, New Mexico office. The SUE Technician is responsible for supporting utility investigation and mapping activities in the field. This role performs SUE tasks such as designating, locating, collecting, and documenting underground utility infrastructure using industry-standard equipment and technology. The SUE Technician ensures accurate data collection to support engineering, construction, and infrastructure projects while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Assignments typically include field and office duties, working on teams and independently. New and varied assignments may be made frequently, requiring flexibility in travel, self-directed learning skills, and heightened social interaction. Field assignments can be frequent, and duration can extend beyond one week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform utility locating and designating using electromagnetic locators (EM), GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar), sondes, and other SUE tools.
• Assist in collecting survey-grade utility data for Quality Levels B, C, and D as defined by ASCE 38.
• Support vacuum excavation (potholing) operations to expose and verify underground utilities for Quality Level A investigations.
• Interpret field markings, utility records, GIS data, and construction plans.
• Document utility features accurately using field devices, GPS, tablets, or data-collection software.
• Maintain equipment, troubleshoot field devices, and ensure vehicles and tools are in safe working condition.
• Follow safety protocols, traffic control requirements, and company operating procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and utility records.
• Communicate effectively with crew members, supervisors, clients, and contractors.
• Prepare field notes, sketches, photos, and daily reports.
• Assist in resolving discrepancies between utility records and field findings.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions including exposure to weather, traffic, and construction environments.
• Overtime and / or travel for projects may be required, including overnight stays.
• Support project teams during design, construction, and utility coordination tasks as needed.
• Standing, walking, bending, and use of hand tools for extended periods.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical training preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in utility locating, surveying, SUE work, or related field (or willingness to be trained).
• Prior experience in Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) or 811 utility locating, GIS systems, CAD software, or digital data-collection tools is a plus.
• Knowledge of ASCE 38 utility investigation standards.
• Experience with GPR and vacuum excavation equipment.
• OSHA 10/30, confined space, or MUTCD/traffic control certifications.
• Familiarity with EM locators, GPS equipment, GPR systems, or related technologies.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to pass drug test.

BENEFITS:

• Health, Dental, Vision, 401K Retirement Plan, Employee Stock Options (ESOP), Life/ADD/Short Term/Long Term Insurance, Voluntary Insurance, FSA, Dependent Care.
• Employee Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible work schedule, ID Theft Protection plan.
• Paid Time Off, Jury Duty Pay, Comp Time.
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional dues.

Salary Grade:

$22.00 to $30.00 (Per Hour)

Travel:

Up to 75%

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able and willing to frequently lift and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

WHY SOUDER, MILLER & ASSOCIATES:

SMA has been inspiring engineers, surveyors, and scientists to deliver innovative solutions since 1985. SMA is the third-largest engineering firm in New Mexico. Whether it is designing public roads and interstates, threading fiber-optic conduits in between underground utilities across an urban intersection, choosing the most effective method to remediate contaminated soil, master planning mixed development, or ensuring access to safe drinking water by identifying water sources and operating treatment facilities, our employees demonstrate their commitment to our clients by building a partnership and investing in the success of every project.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact Human Resources at

Phone: [phone]

Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the Company to afford equal employment to qualified individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, gender identity, spouse affiliation or veteran status, and to conform to all applicable laws and regulations. The Company is fully committed to this concept and all personnel are expected to actively participate in the implementation of these policies.