Field Survey Technical Manager

Michael Baker International•Santa Ana, CA

3h•$125,556 - $174,656

About The Position

The Field Survey Technical Manager serves as a senior technical leader for field survey operations throughout California. Reporting to the California Field Survey Team Lead, the role drives technical excellence, consistency, safety, efficiency, and professional development across field operations. It provides leadership and oversight to Chiefs of Parties and Field Survey Supervisors and supports Party Chiefs, Instrument Operators, Chainmen, Survey Technicians, and other field personnel. The manager mentors and develops field leaders, establishes and maintains surveying standards and procedures, reviews field workflows and deliverables, and supports quality, staffing, resource planning, and coordination between field and office teams. The role also evaluates new technologies and equipment, supports recruitment and workforce development, participates in project pursuits and planning, and promotes safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The position directly supervises Chiefs of Parties and designated field leadership personnel throughout California and works closely with the Field Survey Team Lead to execute operational objectives and technical standards. Michael Baker International is an engineering and consulting services provider with more than 85 years of experience and over 100 offices nationwide. The company describes its work as helping communities become safer, more accessible, sustainable, and prosperous. It is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace, including pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in land surveying and field survey operations.
California Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license required.
Advanced knowledge of topographic mapping, control, and construction staking.
Strong knowledge of survey equipment and technologies, including GNSS technologies, robotic total stations, digital levels, terrestrial scanning, mobile LiDAR, and UAV systems.
Experience developing technical standards, procedures, quality controls, and training programs.
Strong leadership, communication, coaching, problem-solving, and mentoring abilities.
Experience with project planning, staffing coordination, scheduling, and resource management.
Working knowledge of Trimble Business Center, StarNet, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Microsoft Office, and Bluebeam.
Strong understanding of data quality management, quality assurance, and field-to-office workflows.
Ability to collaborate effectively with clients, Project Managers, Project Surveyors, technical staff, and senior leadership.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field preferred; an equivalent combination of education, professional credentials, and relevant experience may be considered.
Experience with other relevant software platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and oversight for field survey operations throughout California.
Mentor, coach, and develop Chiefs of Parties and field leadership personnel, including developing their ability to lead and support field teams.
Establish, implement, and maintain field surveying standards, procedures, and best practices.
Ensure consistency in field methodologies, data collection, project execution, and quality standards across California operations.
Review field procedures, workflows, calculations, and deliverables to ensure quality objectives are met.
Help Chiefs of Parties maximize the utilization, development, and effectiveness of field personnel.
Develop and implement training programs for Party Chiefs, Instrument Operators, Chainmen, Survey Technicians, and other field personnel.
Identify technical skill gaps and support employee development and career progression.
Monitor staffing needs, workforce capabilities, and technical competencies across the field organization.
Coordinate with Project Managers, Project Surveyors, Mapping Managers, CAD personnel, and other technical leaders to strengthen field-office coordination.
Assist with field resource planning, staffing coordination, scheduling, and equipment deployment strategies.
Lead evaluation and implementation of new technologies, equipment, software, and field workflows.
Ensure proper care, maintenance, calibration, security, and accountability of field equipment and vehicles.
Support quality control initiatives, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions related to field operations.
Assist with project planning, field work plans, risk assessments, safety planning, and execution strategies.
Participate in proposal development, scope reviews, fee estimates, staffing plans, and project pursuits.
Support recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, development, and retention of field personnel.
Assist management with organizational planning and workforce forecasting.
Promote safety, accountability, professional ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Participate in industry organizations and internal and external professional development activities.
Perform technical surveying analyses and provide project support as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Directly supervise Chiefs of Parties and designated field leadership personnel throughout California.
Provide functional leadership, mentorship, and technical oversight for field personnel in the California field organization.
Participate in employee evaluations, performance development, and career path development.
Work with the Field Survey Team Lead to support consistent operational objectives, technical standards, and workforce utilization across California.