Freelance Hydrographic Survey Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

NV5 is a leading provider of tech-enabled engineering, testing, inspection, and consulting solutions for the built environment. We specialize in engineering design, asset management, and geospatial data analytics to support infrastructure resilience and building systems performance throughout the entire asset lifecycle.

NV5's 5,000 consulting engineers, inspectors, and analysts play a critical role in shaping our communities through resilient infrastructure that will stand the test of time and efficient smart building systems for optimized facility environments.

With more than 100 offices nationwide and abroad, NV5 assists clients with planning, designing, building, testing, certifying, and operating infrastructure assets that improve the communities where we live and work.

NV5's expert surveyors and geospatial specialists work across diverse environments, including deserts, rivers, mountains, and urban infrastructure. Their high-precision data minimizes errors and enhances project outcomes.

As a national leader in geospatial data, we utilize cutting-edge technologies, including lidar, topobathy, orthoimagery, hyperspectral imaging, and high-definition scanning (HDS). Our advanced drones, aircraft, robotics, and mobile data collection tools ensure accuracy and efficiency.

NV5 provides cost-effective, high-precision land surveying and mapping services for land acquisition, site development, real estate, construction projects, transportation infrastructure, and environmental assessments. Our experienced surveyors collaborate with government agencies, municipalities, commercial developers, healthcare institutions, and engineering firms to deliver tailored solutions that align with project requirements and community impact.

With decades of expertise in design & topographic survey mapping, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, subsurface utility investigation, and aerial mapping, NV5 integrates the latest geospatial technology to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

We are seeking a Senior Surveyor to provide professional review of work products, manage office and field workload under the direction of the Survey Manager, and support the Survey Manager in maintaining project schedules and budgets.

This role involves conducting various types of survey research, computations, reviewing computer-aided survey drafting of topographic maps and plats, and preparing written descriptions of land for deeds, leases, and other legal documents per local, state, federal, and project requirements. The Senior Surveyor will review projects, perform quality assurance, and report progress through completion on each project assigned.

• Provide professional and technical oversight and guidance.
• Perform project research, logistics, and management; review plats and prepare legal descriptions.
• Adhere to company policies, safety plans, and project safety plans.
• Conduct quality control checks on each project, including computations, field book formats, and content.
• Supervise project field crews and/or serve as field crew chief.
• Work on control, boundary, subdivision, topographic, and design surveys, ALTA /NSPS standards, aerial mapping surveys, and may also perform hydrographic surveying.
• Accurately run and adjust survey measuring instruments, including digital levels, GPS equipment, and total stations with electronic data collecting capabilities.
• Identify and understand basic sources of measurement errors.
• Perform mathematical calculations and check field data.
• Perform data reduction, field note reduction, calculations, data checks, and staking.
• Computations using survey programs and Civil3D.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To successfully perform this job, an individual must satisfactorily execute each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required:

• California Professional Land Surveyor registration certification is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of surveying and mapping experience required.
• 3+ years of project management experience preferred.
• Must have experience with the local or other utility industry 
• Strong interpersonal skills and practical written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in using total stations, GPS receivers, data collectors, and GPS reduction software.
• Proficiency in Trimble Business Center, StarNet, or similar survey processing software.
• Experience in Civil3D with demonstrated survey drafting skills required; excellent Civil3D skills a plus.
• Ability to read and understand survey drawings, plans, and specifications.
• UAV / UAS operation, data acquisition, and data reduction experience a plus.
• Knowledge of principles of monumentation, staking, and marking.
• Experience in hydrographic surveying is a plus.
• Experience with lidar data processing is a plus.
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, provided the candidate can meet the physical demands listed below.

• Ability to effectively manage stress in the workplace without losing time or undue strain.
• Frequently required to sit, walk, talk, or listen.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods, work at a computer terminal for extended periods, type/key-in data, and answer telephones frequently as needed.
• Adherence to company policies, safety plans, and project safety plans is required.

The pay range for this position in California is $45.00 to $65.00 per hour. Base pay offered may be higher or lower depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location of the candidate. Restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

All local employment laws apply. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via the NV5 careers site.

NV5 offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, PTO, 401(k) and professional development/advancement opportunities.

NV5 provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NV5 complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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