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How much do hydrographic survey engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for hydrographic survey engineer in the United States is $84,460.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $92,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a hydrographic survey engineer?

A Hydrographic Survey Engineer is responsible for mapping and analyzing bodies of water, including oceans, rivers, and lakes. They use specialized equipment such as sonar, GPS, and echo sounders to measure water depth, seabed features, and underwater structures. Their work supports marine construction, navigation, environmental studies, and offshore projects. These engineers often collaborate with marine scientists, geophysicists, and civil engineers to ensure accurate data collection and analysis. The role requires strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and knowledge of hydrographic survey techniques and software.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hydrographic survey engineer?

To thrive as a Hydrographic Survey Engineer, you need a strong background in geospatial sciences, oceanography, or engineering, supported by experience in hydrographic survey techniques and data analysis. Familiarity with specialized equipment such as multibeam echo sounders, GNSS positioning systems, and hydrographic data processing software (e.g., HYPACK or CARIS) is typically required, along with certifications like IHO Cat A/B. Effective communication, meticulous attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities are important soft skills for working accurately and collaboratively, often in challenging field conditions. These competencies ensure precise mapping of underwater environments, safe navigation, and effective support for marine projects.

What are common work environments and team structures for hydrographic survey engineers?

Hydrographic Survey Engineers frequently split their time between fieldwork, often on survey vessels or coastal sites, and office settings where data is processed and analyzed. They usually work as part of multidisciplinary teams that may include marine technicians, GIS specialists, project managers, and environmental scientists. Collaboration is key, as engineers must liaise closely with clients, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to ensure survey objectives are met safely and efficiently. The role can involve travel, shift work, and extended periods at sea depending on the project scope. This dynamic environment offers valuable opportunities for both hands-on technical skills and leadership development.

What does a hydrographic survey engineer do?

A hydrographic survey engineer conducts surveys to measure and map underwater features and depths using specialized equipment such as sonar and GPS. They analyze data to produce accurate charts and support activities like navigation, dredging, and construction, often working in marine or coastal environments. Proficiency in data processing and certifications in hydrography are typically required for the role.
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Hydrographic Survey Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hydrographic Survey Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,460 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

Hydrographic Processing Specialist

Port Orchard, WA • On-site

Woolpert
Civil Engineering Construction • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Woolpertexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Process multibeam and singlebeam hydrographic data using QPS Qimera, including data cleaning, refraction correction, sound velocity application, patch test validation, calibration review, surface generation, and uncertainty analysis.

  • Review and validate acquisition logs and metadata from QINSy to ensure proper integration into processing workflows, and perform side scan sonar processing and interpretation using SonarWiz, including mosaicking, gain normalization, target identification, and classification.

  • Export processed datasets for integration into AutoCAD Civil 3D, create bathymetric surfaces, generate contours and gridded soundings, perform volume calculations, prepare plan sheets and figures, and support the production of maps, mosaics, contact plots, cross sections, and GIS-compatible datasets.

Woolpert Inc. rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

We seek to move the world forward through innovative thinking.
Woolpert is an award-winning, global leader in architecture, engineering, and geospatial services. We blend design excellence with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional client value. Our team is passionate about their work and committed to building the next generation of industry leaders, and as a certified Great Place to Work®, Woolpert embraces progress and innovation to create limitless opportunities for career growth.
Position Overview
Woolpert is hiring a Hydrographic Data Processing Specialist to join our Hydrographic Survey team in our Port Orchard, WA office or Wasilla, AK.
Our team supports complex marine survey projects across the U.S., including hydrographic surveys, geophysical investigations, and marine infrastructure assessments. This role is primarily office-based and focused on transforming raw field data into accurate, defensible deliverables that support engineering design, permitting, and construction.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with large geospatial datasets, developing efficient processing workflows, and producing high-quality technical deliverables.
We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must already possess work authorization in the country where the job is located.
What You Will Do
Core Processing Workflow (Primary Role):
  • Process multibeam and singlebeam hydrographic data using QPS Qimera, including:
    • Data cleaning, refraction correction, and sound velocity application
    • Patch test validation and calibration review
    • Surface generation and uncertainty analysis
  • Review and validate acquisition logs and metadata from QINSy to ensure proper integration into processing workflows
  • Perform side scan sonar processing and interpretation using SonarWiz, including:
    • Mosaicking and gain normalization
    • Target identification and classification (e.g., debris, infrastructure, seabed features)
    • Contact selection and reporting

Geospatial & Deliverable Development:
  • Export processed datasets for integration into AutoCAD Civil 3D, including:
    • Creation of bathymetric surfaces from high-density point clouds
    • Generation of contours, breaklines, and gridded soundings (e.g., 25' x 25')
    • Volume calculations and surface comparisons (existing vs. design or layered surfaces)
  • Prepare plan sheets and figures consistent with project standards (e.g., ODMDS-style deliverables, channel surveys, dredge support)
  • Support production of:
    • Bathymetric maps and sounding sheets
    • Side scan sonar mosaics and contact plots
    • Cross sections and profile views
    • GIS-compatible datasets and metadata

Advanced Data Integration:
  • Integrate datasets across multiple sensors and platforms:
    • Multibeam, singlebeam, side scan sonar, sub-bottom (as applicable)
    • GNSS control and positioning data
    • Terrestrial or mobile LiDAR for shoreline/structure tie-ins
  • Assist with seabed characterization workflows, including combining backscatter and side scan interpretation where applicable
  • Support SLAM-integrated datasets or GNSS-denied workflows (as applicable to project needs)

Quality Assurance & Workflow Development:
  • Perform QA/QC checks to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and compliance with project specifications
  • Document processing workflows and maintain reproducibility across projects
  • Identify inefficiencies and contribute to improving internal processing standards
  • Coordinate with field teams to resolve data gaps, anomalies, or acquisition issues

Collaboration & Project Support:
  • Work closely with project managers and technical leads to meet project schedules and deliverable requirements
  • Provide input to survey planning and acquisition strategies based on processing needs
  • Support proposal efforts with technical approach language, example deliverables, and production estimates

What You Will Bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in surveying, Geomatics, ocean engineering, geology, geography, spatial science, marine science, or related field
    • 3 years + of Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D for surface development and plan production
  • Strong understanding of hydrographic survey principles and geospatial data workflows
  • Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on producing accurate, defensible datasets
  • Ability to manage multiple datasets and deadlines in a production environment
  • Self-motivated, curious, and adaptable with strong problem-solving skills

Preferred Experience and Qualifications
  • Experience with QINSy (acquisition awareness) and Qimera (processing)
  • Experience with SonarWiz for side scan sonar processing and interpretation
  • Experience with:
    • Bathymetric surface generation and uncertainty evaluation
    • Side scan mosaicking and contact reporting
    • Volume calculations and layered surface analysis
  • Familiarity with:
    • Sub-bottom profiler data (CHIRP) and interpretation (a plus)
    • GNSS processing (Trimble Business Center or similar)
    • Global Mapper or GIS platforms
  • Experience with LiDAR processing and integration workflows
  • Strong data visualization and deliverable presentation skills

What Success Looks Like in This Role
  • Produces clean, accurate bathymetric surfaces and deliverables with minimal rework
  • Efficiently processes multibeam and side scan datasets across varying project types
  • Understands how field decisions impact processing outcomes (and helps improve both)
  • Contributes to consistent, repeatable workflows across the team
  • Supports high-quality deliverables similar to those used in federal and coastal projects (e.g., channel surveys, ODMDS, infrastructure assessments)

Benefits You Will Love
Certified as a Great Place to Work, Woolpert is one of the fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and geospatial companies in the world. With over 75 offices and countless projects around the globe, you'll work on meaningful assignments that improve quality of life around the world. In addition to offering competitive pay, we provide employees with a robust set of unique benefits, including:
  • Freedom to Work program: Set your own schedule and location (as appropriate).
  • Principal program: Earn the opportunity to become an owner of the firm.
  • Flexible paid time off/vacation: Take time off when it makes sense for you and your team.
  • Career development: Explore a wide range of learning and growth opportunities within and across industries.
  • Health, life, vision, and dental insurance: Cover all your medical bases.
  • Paid sick time, retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, pet insurance, identity protection, technology stipend, employee assistance program, and more!

Find out more about what Woolpert has to offer here: http://woolpert.com/about-us/
Woolpert is an equal-opportunity employer. Woolpert is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. You may view more about EEO on our website: Equal-Employment-Opportunity-The-Law.pdf and EEO is the Law Poster Supplement.
Applicants who require an accommodation throughout the application and interview process should request this in advance by contacting your Recruiter
To all agencies: Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee of Woolpert or any of our subsidiaries about this requisition. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee at Woolpert via email, the internet, or in any form and/or method will be deemed the sole property of Woolpert, unless such search firms/employment agencies were engaged by Woolpert's Talent Acquisition Team for this requisition and a valid agreement is in place. In the event a candidate who was submitted outside of Woolpert's applicant process is hired, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid.

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