Surveyor, Regional Government Lead

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS); Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical insurance (PPO and HD)

dental and vision insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Savings Account (FSA)

life insurance

disability leave programs

parantal leave program

paid holidays

paid vacation time

Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

401K plan with generous match

Job summary

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is seeking a Government Regional Lead Surveyor to guide classification, certification, and statutory surveys within U.S. government work streams. You will ensure ABS and Navy rules compliance across regional offices and provide expert survey oversight.

The role requires extensive knowledge of ABS Rules, international standards, and the ability to coordinate with government agencies, shipyards, and fleets while traveling to survey sites.

Qualifications

• ITAR clearance or ability to obtain it.
• Engineering/physical science degree or marine/nautical credentials with seagoing experience.
• 3–5 years in government vessel operations or as Senior/Principal Surveyor.
• Strong knowledge of ABS Rules, Guides and statutory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and oversight of classification, certification, and statutory survey work within U.S. Government programs.
• Stay updated with ABS Rules, Guides and statutory requirements and disseminate across regions.
• Approve survey documents and extensions where allowed by internal processes.
• Lead and train survey staff on ABS Rules and regulatory changes.
• Attend Port State Control or Flag State inspections to assess unit condition and required actions.
• Coordinate with government agencies and external clients; conduct port assessments and surveys as needed.
• Support Surveyor Monitoring Program and regional technical committees.

Skills

ABS Rules knowledge

Survey monitoring

Leadership

International compliance

ITAR clearance

Education

Engineering or physical science degree (2+ yrs program)

Marine/nautical institution with seagoing experience

Job description

The Government Regional Lead Surveyor provides guidance and oversight of classification, certification, and statutory survey work within Regional Offices related to U.S. Government activities. Responsible for maintaining the quality and consistency of survey work within the Regional Offices and verifying compliance with applicable ABS, ABS Navy, and statutory requirements, as appropriate.

What You Will Do:

• Acts as a professional specialist for the organization within the U.S. Government framework (U.S. Navy, NAVSEA, MSC, MARAD, NOAA, USCG, Army Corps of Engineers, GOCO, and shipyards) in the application of related rules, regulations, requirements, concepts, principles, and processes.
• Stays up to date with ABS Rules, Guides, and statutory requirements, as well as forthcoming changes to respective requirements; assists in the dissemination of requirements to the respective Hemisphere and/or Region.
• Approves documents and survey extensions where permitted by internal processes or advises the Assistant Chief Surveyor or Chief Surveyor offices.
• Provides guidance and direction to the internal workforce and external clients. External support includes client meetings.
• Reviews and approves attendance requests or remote surveys.
• Attends novel surveys, as schedule permits; confirms that local survey staff understand and are properly applying and implementing new regulations and rule requirements.
• Maintains and disseminates requirements related to Cyber Security and CBP.
• Makes periodic visits to survey offices within the assigned Region to conduct port assessments.
• Attends Port State Control or Flag State inspections to determine the overall condition of the unit and any further action that may be required.
• Provides guidance and training to survey staff on implementation and application of ABS Rules, ABS Navy Rules, Guides, and statutory requirements through presentations at Surveyor meetings, on-the-job mentoring, and other media.
• Assists the Regional Director and Area Managers of Operations with the Surveyor Monitoring Program and Secondary Report Review to ensure Corporate and local goals are met.
• May liaise with National and Coastal State Administrations in the assigned Region and coordinates requirements for implementation into classification and certification work carried out by ABS on behalf of these Administrations.
• Attends marine or offshore facilities in the Region to ensure quality and consistency through monitoring of survey activities, occasionally taking the Lead Surveyor role on select surveys (e.g., SSH) or situations (i.e., USI, Outlier, or Targeted Unit). Monitoring may include review of survey planning meetings and verification that surveys, repairs, thickness measurements (rough and/or final reports), and survey reports have been carried out in accordance with the Rules and Process Instructions.
• Survey monitoring may also include vendor, new construction, and post-construction surveys.
• Performs updates to Rules, Guides, and internal processes. Also participates as a contributor or presenter to regional technical committees or working groups.
• Participates in the development of workforce training. Presents Surveyor training courses at the ABS Academy or other locations.
• Participates in internal or external fleet review activities, including PMP, CBP, CS-G, or where otherwise noted in ABS Rules, Guides, and processes.
• Carries out internal investigations or record reviews as determined necessary by the Chief Surveyor's Office.
• Participates in Joint Industry Projects that support U.S. Government activities.

What You Will Need:

• Education and ExperienceMust be able to obtain ITAR clearance.
• Qualifications from a tertiary institution within a relevant field of engineering or physical science (minimum two (2) years program); or
• Qualifications from a marine or nautical institution and relevant seagoing experience as a certificated ship officer, and
• Proficiency in the English language commensurate with the scope of statutory certification and services and, before assignment, with their future work.
• Minimum three (3) to five (5) years of experience working in an operational aspect of the government vessel industry or as a Senior or Principal Surveyor with past government vessel survey and operational experience.
• A comprehensive understanding of ABS strategic technical positioning in the respective sector of the marine industry.
• International assignment or significant exposure to international processes, requirements, business issues, and problem resolution.
• Minimum three (3) years' experience working as Principal Surveyor.
• International assignment or significant exposure to international processes, requirements, business issues and problem resolution.
• Possesses and demonstrates a mastery of the comprehensive body of knowledge in Survey operations.
• This position may require U.S. citizenship due to government contract requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of ABS Rules, ABS Navy Rules, Guides, statutory regulations, and related instructions, as well as the ABS Employee Safety Policy.
• Ability to read engineering plans and have a basic understanding of shipbuilding practices and vessel operations.
• Ability to perform surveys in the prescribed format.
• Knowledge of computer programs or software packages related to job responsibilities.
• Knowledge of related technical interfaces required for group project work.
• Detailed knowledge of government vessel engineering systems, statutory elements, and machinery.
• Ability to communicate, orally and in writing, pertinent information relative to the assigned area of technical expertise.
• Ability to analyze problems and propose solutions.
• Responsiveness to customers.
• Ability to work well with others.
• Management skills to organize, plan, and direct the work activities of other professional employees.
• Human relations skills necessary to maintain positive client contacts and provide leadership and motivation to subordinate staff and peers.
• Working knowledge of the ABS Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental Management System.

It Would Be Nice If You Had

• Appropriate certification and/or licenses in the area of specialization may be required.

Reporting Relationships:

The incumbent reports to the Hemisphere Assistant Chief Surveyor. Direct reports may include Principal Surveyors, Senior Surveyors, Surveyors, and/or an Administrative Assistant, as applicable.

Working Conditions:

Travel to and from survey sites and manufacturing plants going aboard various marine vessels, offshore platforms, or structures. Some work may be performed in an office environment. Some work may be performed in confined spaces, and it may be necessary to climb vertical ladders of various heights, and construction staging of various heights. The use of small tools and the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), in accordance with ABS safety procedures, may be required.

Notice:

This position requires access to information that is subject to control by the Export Administration Regulations and/or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Any offer of employment shall be contingent upon the Company's verification that the candidate is a "U.S. Person" or upon the receipt of all necessary export licenses or authorizations that may be required by U.S. export control laws. "U.S. Persons" are defined as U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents (i.e., "green card" holders), or any individual granted protected status under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)), including asylees and refugees. In the event a candidate refuses or cannot otherwise provide the necessary information for the Company to determine whether such licenses may be required, or for the Company to obtain any required licenses, the Company shall maintain the exclusive right to discontinue the application process and/or withdraw any contingent offer that has been made.

ABOUT US

We set out more than 160 years ago to promote the security of life and property at sea and preserve the natural environment. Today, we remain true to our mission and continue to support organizations facing a rapidly evolving seascape of challenging regulations and new technologies. Through it all, we are anchored by a vision and mission that help our clients find clarity in uncertain times. ABS is a global leader in marine and offshore classification and other innovative safety, quality, and environmental services. We're at the forefront of supporting the global energy transition at sea, the application of remote and autonomous marine systems, cutting-edge technical solutions, and many more exciting advancements. Our commitment to safety, reliability, and efficiency is ever-present, guiding our clients to safer and more efficient operations.

About Our Benefits

• medical insurance (PPO and HD)
• dental and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
• life insurance
• accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• disability leave programs
• parental leave program
• paid holidays
• paid vacation time
• The Company provides an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) that offers support in personal wellness, including work-life services.
• ABS Bureau also offers a 401K plan with a generous company match, subject to plan requirements.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity ABS Bureau is committed to the equal employment opportunity of its employees and prohibits discrimination against any employee or qualified applicant based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status or veteran status, or other non-work-related characteristics that may be protected under the law of the Federal Government or specific state employment laws.

Notice ABS and Affiliated Companies (ABS) will not pay a fee to any third-party agency without a valid ABS Master Service Agreement (MSA) authorized and signed by Human Resources. Any resume, CV, application, or other forms of candidate submission provided to any employee of ABS without a valid MSA on file will be considered property of ABS, and no fee will be paid.

Other

This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job of the incumbent. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements essential for making a fair decision regarding the pay structure of the job.