Survey Instrument Operator

Patriot Surveying & Infrastructure; United States; Remote; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

7-day CONUS per diem

Comprehensive benefits

Career development

Job summary

Patriot Surveying & Infrastructure is seeking a detail-oriented Survey Instrument Operator/Technician to support large infrastructure projects across 33 states. You will operate and maintain high-precision surveying instruments, perform construction staking, boundary and topographic data collection, and work under the guidance of a Crew Chief.

Daily duties include precise field data collection, meticulous notes, and ensuring equipment and vehicles are ready for mission.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Experience operating conventional and modern survey hardware (Trimble, Topcon, Leica) is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and a clean MVR are mandatory.
• Ability and willingness to travel nationwide for assignments; pre-employment drug screen and 7-year background check required.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain high-precision surveying instruments including Total Stations, Levels, GNSS/GPS units, and data collectors.
• Perform construction staking, boundary locations and topographic data collection under supervision of a Survey Crew Chief.
• Maintain meticulous field notes and support data quality by resolving discrepancies.
• Keep all survey equipment, rooms, and vehicles organized, clean, and mission-ready.

Skills

Total Stations

Levels

GNSS/GPS units

Electronic Data Collectors

Construction staking

Boundary locations

Topographic data

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

CST Level I/II

Tools

Trimble

Topcon

Leica

Job description

We are seeking a detail-oriented, driven Survey Instrument Operator/Technician to support large-scale infrastructure projects across 33 states, from the East Coast to Texas. As the backbone of our field operations, you will be responsible for high-precision data collection using advanced surveying technology to ensure the accuracy of national infrastructure reports. Working under the guidance of a Survey Crew Chief, you will play a hands-on role in delivering critical utility, boundary, and topographic survey data across the country.

Office Locations & Travel Flexibility

We are actively recruiting talent across our established office network, which includes:

• Harrison, OH
• Mooresville, NC (Corporate Headquarters)
• Oak Island, NC
• Traverse City, MI
• 100% Travel Roles (CONUS Per Diem): While all field positions require travel, candidates with high travel availability are prioritized for 100% nationwide travel specialist roles. For 100% travel assignments, we offer a full 7-day per diem model utilizing standard CONUS (Continental U.S.) rates to cover lodging and meals, ensuring consistent compensation regardless of weekend work schedules. Standard field operations typically begin at 7:00 AM and average 10-hour workdays, five days per week.

Essential Responsibilities (Field Operations & High-Precision Data)

As a Survey Instrument Technician, you will expertly operate and maintain high-precision surveying instruments, including Total Stations, Levels, GNSS/GPS units, and Electronic Data Collectors. You will execute construction staking, boundary locations, and topographic data collection under the direct supervision of a Survey Crew Chief.

Daily operational duties include applying standard surveying principles to collect accurate field data, maintaining meticulous digital and manual field notes, and assisting the Crew Chief in identifying or resolving data discrepancies to uphold strict quality standards. You will also take active responsibility for keeping all assigned survey equipment, equipment rooms, and company vehicles organized, clean, and mission-ready at all times.

Qualifications & Requirements

A High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Previous hands-on experience operating conventional and modern survey hardware (Trimble, Topcon, Leica, etc.) is highly preferred, and Certified Survey Technician (CST) Level I or II credentials are a plus. A valid driver’s license and a clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) are mandatory. Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and a standard 7-year background check and demonstrate the ability and willingness to travel extensively for nationwide infrastructure assignments.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position requires continuous standing, walking, and hiking over rough, steep, heavily wooded, or uneven terrain, including active construction sites and undeveloped right-of-ways. Candidates must have the physical capability to lift and carry survey gear weighing up to 50 pounds over challenging site conditions. Field work involves working outdoors for extended shifts in all weather conditions, requiring excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for fine adjustments and for operating sensitive, high-precision instruments.

Why Join the Patriot Team?

At PSI, we offer competitive hourly pay paired with comprehensive health, financial, and overall wellness benefits. Our 7-day per diem model, using standard CONUS rates, is industry-leading, ensuring our traveling field teams are among the best supported in the industry. We actively foster a supportive culture that prioritizes safety, teamwork, and career development, providing clear pathways for dedicated technicians to advance into Crew Chief or Licensed Surveyor roles.