Senior Hydrographic Field Surveyor

Prairie Engineers is a small, growing engineering, survey and mapping, and natural resources firm serving clients nationwide. We are seeking an experienced Senior Hydrographic Field Surveyor to lead field acquisition, ensure the technical quality of hydrographic data, and mentor crew members, while working closely with our hydrographic project manager.

This is a hands-on senior field role with substantial travel and regular work aboard survey vessels on inland waterways (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and navigation channels). You will take technical ownership from survey planning through acquisition, real-time quality decisions, processing support, QA/QC, and delivery. Ideal candidates thrive in the field, enjoy guiding crews, and want the autonomy and influence that come with a smaller firm - contributing to procedures, equipment decisions, and integrated geospatial projects rather than working in a large, specialized silo.

Fulltime position. Salary range $85,000 - $135,000 per year, depending on education, experience, certifications, and technical expertise. Travel expenses and meal per diem are paid.

• Plan and perform hydrographic surveys; guide field crews; and safely operate, trailer, launch, and recover small motor vessels.
• Mobilize, configure, calibrate, operate and troubleshoot HYPACK/HYSWEEP systems using single beam, multibeam and sidescan sonar, GNSS, inertial navigation, and sound velocity equipment (including parametric and subbottom systems as needed).
• Monitor and verify positioning, calibration, sound velocity, coverage, and overall data quality during acquisition; resolve deficiencies before leaving the site.
• Provide technical input to project managers for proposals, survey plans, equipment and staffing needs, and effort estimates. Apply USACE, IHO, and other client and/or industry criteria, requirements, and project specifications.
• Support data processing, surface generation, and other deliverables; perform technical QA/QC in coordination with the project manager.
• Mentor and train hydrographers, survey technicians, and processing staff in equipment, software, field practices, processing, and quality control.
• Improve procedures, checklists, templates, and quality control practices to increase consistency, efficiency, and repeatability.
• Evaluate and help implement useful new equipment, software, automation, and processing approaches.
• Coordinate with land survey, sUAS, LiDAR, photogrammetry, GIS, and engineering teams on integrated projects.

• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible hydrographic surveying experience, including substantial field acquisition, crew coordination, processing, and delivery.
• Advanced practical experience with HYPACK/HYSWEEP and with single beam, multibeam, and sidescan sonar systems.
• Strong understanding of positioning, motion compensation, sound velocity, calibration, coverage, uncertainty, and data quality; ability to independently configure and troubleshoot survey systems.
• Experience developing survey plans and familiarity with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydrographic surveying requirements.
• Demonstrated technical judgment, independent problem solving, and the ability to teach and communicate clearly.
• Experience safely operating and trailering small motor vessels on inland waterways; willingness to travel extensively, work long field days in changing conditions and remote locations, and respond to occasional short notice mobilizations.
• A related degree and credentials such as Certified Hydrographer, LSIT/SIT, Professional Surveyor, or ASPRS CMSRemote Sensing are preferred. Substantial equivalent experience will be considered.

Join a people-focused firm with a can-do culture where your technical…