Survey Manager

Job Title: Survey Manager / Senior Field Staff Manager
Job Description
This hybrid Survey Manager / Senior Field Staff Manager role leads all land surveying operations for fast-paced, design-build datacenter and heavy civil construction projects. You will manage multiple survey crews and CAD technicians, serve as the on-site authority for survey control and field verification, and drive high-precision layout, staking, and as-built documentation that support complex civil, structural, and utility work. The position is based in Arizona and involves regular travel to project sites while collaborating closely with project managers, engineers, and contractors to deliver accurate, constructible designs on aggressive schedules.
Responsibilities

• Manage all land surveying activities for heavy civil construction on active design-build projects, with a particular focus on datacenter and mission-critical work.
• Lead, schedule, and mentor multiple field survey crews and construction CAD technicians, ensuring they execute tasks safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Perform and oversee construction layout and staking for civil, structural, and utility elements, maintaining a high degree of precision.
• Direct and verify as-built surveys and documentation, ensuring that field conditions are accurately captured and communicated to design and construction teams.
• Execute and review construction calculations and coordinate geometry, cross-checking plans and models for accuracy and constructability.
• Interpret civil, structural, and utility plans and clearly communicate requirements, constraints, and design intent to field teams and stakeholders.
• Establish, maintain, and monitor survey control networks, including verification of control points and alignment with project coordinate systems.
• Verify field conditions against design documents and ensure that survey work aligns with overall design intent and project requirements.
• Coordinate closely with project managers, engineers, and contractors in a fast-moving design-build environment, supporting schedule and quality objectives.
• Ensure that quality control processes for survey deliverables and field data are implemented and followed, including checks on calculations, layouts, and as-built records.
• Utilize Trimble Business Center, Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and Microsoft tools to manage survey data, perform calculations, generate reports, and support digital workflows.
• Adapt quickly to design changes, field adjustments, and evolving project requirements, updating layouts, control, and documentation as needed.
• Support high-precision layout and, where applicable, machine control workflows and advanced survey technologies to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Oversee and participate in topographic and ALTA surveys, including survey analysis and preparation of deliverables that meet project and industry standards.
• Run and supervise survey crews in the field, ensuring proper use of GPS and other survey equipment and adherence to project procedures.
• Contribute to project planning and scheduling by providing realistic estimates of survey effort, sequencing, and resource needs.
• Maintain clear, professional communication with internal and external stakeholders, including regular updates on survey progress, issues, and resolutions.

Essential Skills

• Strong proficiency in Trimble Business Center for survey data management, calculations, and control workflows.
• Strong proficiency in Civil 3D and AutoCAD for creating, reviewing, and editing survey-based drawings and models.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools for reporting, documentation, and coordination.
• Deep experience with construction staking, layout, and as-built surveys for heavy civil projects.
• Demonstrated ability to perform and verify construction calculations and coordinate geometry, including checks for accuracy and constructability.
• Proven leadership experience managing multiple survey crews and CAD support staff in the field.
• Experience running survey crews independently, including planning daily tasks and overseeing field execution.
• Experience performing topographic surveys and topography-related survey tasks.
• Experience conducting ALTA surveys and applying ALTA standards in survey work.
• Ability to perform survey analysis and translate findings into clear deliverables and recommendations.
• Hands-on experience with GPS-based survey methods and equipment for construction and land surveying.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, design-build environment with frequent changes in design and field conditions.
• Strong organizational skills with a demonstrated commitment to quality, accuracy, and thorough documentation.
• Experience with land surveying in a construction environment, including heavy civil and mission-critical projects.
• Experience with datacenter or mission critical projects, particularly in construction and survey support.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license or the ability and interest to pursue licensure.
• Experience supporting datacenter construction projects, including high-precision layout requirements.
• Familiarity with high-precision layout techniques for complex civil and structural components.
• Experience with machine control workflows or advanced survey technologies that enhance accuracy and productivity.
• Background in project management within survey or construction environments, including coordination of resources and schedules.
• Exposure to subsurface utility, civil, structural, or electrical projects where survey plays a critical role in design and construction support.
• Experience with ALTA surveys and related documentation for complex sites.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior field staff and CAD technicians, fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions in the field under time-sensitive conditions.

Work Environment
This role operates in a hybrid work environment based in Arizona, combining office, home, and field-based work. The position follows a rotation in which you spend one week at home or in the Scottsdale office, followed by a week traveling to the project site in Wink, Texas, and then return to the Scottsdale office or home the following week before the next project-site rotation. While on site, you work primarily in an active heavy civil construction environment, performing field surveys, layout, and verification around ongoing construction activities. The work involves regular use of Trimble survey equipment, GPS, Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and other digital tools to support high-precision, data-driven workflows. Travel includes hotel accommodations and a daily per diem, reflecting the expectation of extended stays at project locations. The culture emphasizes constructability, accuracy, and collaboration across engineering, construction, and survey teams, with opportunities for performance-based bonuses, including a signing bonus and an annual bonus. The role requires adaptability to changing field conditions, weather, and schedules, as well as comfort working on mission-critical datacenter projects where timelines and precision are essential.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Scottsdale, AZ.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $95.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Scottsdale,AZ.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 23, 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.


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