Survey Instrument Operator

Actalent; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

HSA contribution

401(k) match

Boot allowance

Job summary

Actalent in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Land Surveyor / Instrument Operator to perform field surveying for roads, bridges and building sites. You will assist the Survey Party Chief, establish stakeout lines, recover corners, set control points, and operate survey equipment such as Total Stations, GPS units and data collectors.

This hands-on role requires a high school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, and the ability to travel locally.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1+ years surveying experience preferred.
• Experience with land surveys of roads, bridges, or building sites.
• Experience operating surveying equipment (Trimble/Leica; total stations; GPS).
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel 10–20% regionally.

Responsibilities

• Assist Survey Party Chief with field surveys for roads, bridges, and buildings.
• Establish and re-establish construction stakeout lines and boundaries.
• Recover property corners and set traverse control points.
• Set and mark stakes per project specs.
• Operate survey equipment (data collectors, total stations, GPS units).
• Download data daily and compile reports.
• Maintain field inventory of stakes, pins, nails, and flags.
• Travel between project sites with the party chief.
• Follow safety procedures in outdoor environments.

Skills

Surveying

Outdoor work

Data recording

Travel readiness

Drug and background checks

Physical ability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Trimble instruments

Leica instruments

Total stations

Data collectors

GPS units

Levels

Magnetic locators

Topcon equipment

Job description

Job Title

Land Surveyor / Instrument Operator

Job Description

The Land Surveyor / Instrument Operator performs a wide range of field surveying assignments and supports the Survey Party Chief in conducting land surveys for roads, bridges, and building sites. This role focuses on establishing and re-establishing construction stakeout lines, easement and property lines, recovering property corners, setting traverse control points for boundary surveys, and placing and marking stakes for construction projects. The position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on outdoor work, precise measurements, and contributing to infrastructure and site development projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Survey Party Chief with land surveys of roads, bridges, and building sites, ensuring accurate and reliable field data collection.
• Establish and re-establish lines for construction stakeout surveys, easements, and property boundaries.
• Recover property corners and set traverse control points for boundary and construction surveys.
• Set and clearly mark stakes for construction stakeout projects in accordance with project specifications.
• Set up and operate survey equipment, including data collectors, levels, GPS units, and total stations, to perform all aspects of stakeout and location surveys.
• Load, maintain, and operate field equipment such as Leica, Total Station, data collector, level, magnetic locator, hand-held radios, and other survey tools.
• Download data collector files each afternoon, organize collected data, and complete reports in the downloaded job files book.
• Maintain field supply inventory, including stakes, pins, nails, flagging, and other materials needed for daily survey operations.
• Perform general field duties such as chaining, hub driving, setting up prisms, giving sights, and carrying tools and supplies.
• Open manholes and other inlet structures as needed to obtain survey information and measurements.
• Perform physical tasks such as digging and cutting brush to access survey points and maintain clear lines of sight.
• Conduct topographic, boundary, construction, highway, transportation, ALTA, and hydrographic surveys as directed, using appropriate equipment and methods.
• Use drone image capturing software and topographic mapping tools as needed to support survey projects.
• Accurately record, verify, and report survey results, ensuring data integrity and consistency.
• Travel between project sites with the Party Chief in a company vehicle and support site-to-site survey operations.
• Adhere to safety procedures and company policies while working outdoors in varying environmental conditions.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or GED.
• 1+ years of surveying experience preferred, including land surveying, transportation surveys, and use of surveying equipment.
• Hands-on experience operating surveying equipment such as Trimble and Leica instruments, total stations, data collectors, levels, magnetic locators, hand-held radios, GPS units, and Topcon equipment.
• Comfortable conducting land surveys of roads, bridges, and building sites, including work in varied outdoor environments and elements.
• Ability to accurately record, organize, and report survey data and results.
• Valid drivers license and ability to travel 1020% as needed, including travel throughout Virginia and surrounding states.
• Ability to pass drug and background checks.
• Physical ability to perform field tasks such as carrying equipment, digging, cutting brush, opening structures, and working on uneven terrain.

Work Environment

This is a field-focused role that involves working outdoors in all weather conditions and elements, not limited to sidewalk work but including roads, bridges, and building sites. Benefits include free vision, dental, and life insurance, substantial coverage of health care insurance, a contribution to a health savings account, a 401(k) match, and a yearly boot allowance through a Red Wing account to cover steel-toed boots. Dress in the field typically requires appropriate safety gear and sturdy, steel-toed boots to support safe and comfortable work on active project sites.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chantilly, VA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $37440.00 - $58250.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Free Vision, dental, and life insurance -80% of health care insurance covered -$900 contribution to HSA -4% 401k match -Yearly boot allowance through Redwing Account (provided for each member to cover cost of steel-toed boots)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chantilly,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.