Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hydrographic Surveyor

🎯 Role Definition

As a Hydrographic Surveyor, you are the expert cartographer of the unseen world beneath the waves. You will be at the forefront of marine exploration and development, responsible for planning, acquiring, and processing critical geospatial data of the seabed and marine environments. This role involves operating sophisticated sonar and positioning technology aboard survey vessels to create detailed maps and models. Your work directly impacts the safety of navigation, the design and installation of subsea infrastructure like wind turbines and pipelines, and our overall understanding of the ocean floor. This role requires a meticulous, adaptable, and technically proficient individual who thrives in both office and challenging offshore environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Survey Technician or Data Processor
Geospatial Analyst / GIS Technician
Recent Graduate (Geomatics, Marine Science, Surveying)

Advancement To:

Senior Hydrographic Surveyor / Party Chief
Hydrographic Project Manager
Offshore Manager / Client Representative

Lateral Moves:

Geophysicist or Geotechnical Engineer
GIS Specialist / Data Scientist
Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Pilot / Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan and execute offshore hydrographic and geophysical surveys in accordance with project specifications and international standards (e.g., IHO S-44).
Operate and maintain a wide range of advanced survey equipment, including multibeam echosounders (MBES), side-scan sonar (SSS), sub-bottom profilers (SBP), magnetometers, and gradiometers.
Manage and monitor high-precision surface and subsea positioning systems, such as GNSS, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), and Ultra-Short Baseline (USBL) acoustic systems.
Perform rigorous equipment calibrations, including multibeam patch tests, sensor offset verification, and sound velocity profile (SVP) collection to ensure the highest data quality.
Conduct real-time quality control (QC) of all incoming survey data, identifying and resolving issues with hardware, software, or environmental conditions as they arise.
Process large, complex datasets using industry-standard software packages like QPS Qimera/Fledermaus, CARIS HIPS and SIPS, EIVA NaviSuite, or Hypack.
Generate, analyze, and interpret final data products, including digital terrain models (DTMs), bathymetric charts, seabed feature maps, and pipeline inspection reports.
Compile and author comprehensive technical reports and final project deliverables, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to client requirements.
Oversee data management, including structured logging, processing, and archiving, from acquisition through to final delivery.
Liaise directly with the vessel's bridge crew, project managers, and client representatives offshore to ensure survey objectives are met safely and efficiently.
Troubleshoot complex hardware and software problems with survey systems in a dynamic offshore environment, often requiring creative and timely solutions.
Ensure strict adherence to all company and client Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) policies during all project phases.
Lead the mobilization and demobilization of all survey equipment on vessels, ensuring correct installation, integration, and system verification.
Perform dimensional control surveys of vessels and subsea structures to establish precise geometric relationships between sensors and equipment.
Analyze tidal data and apply appropriate corrections to bathymetric measurements to achieve precise vertical referencing.

Secondary Functions

Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and on-the-job training to junior surveyors and survey technicians.
Contribute to the development and refinement of survey procedures, operational workflows, and risk assessments.
Support ad-hoc data requests and perform exploratory data analysis to answer specific client or engineering queries.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by evaluating and recommending new technologies and software.
Collaborate with business units, project engineers, and geophysicists to translate data needs into specific survey and engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies within the project team.
Assist in the preparation of survey proposals and technical tenders by providing input on methodology, equipment, and required man-hours.
Maintain detailed and accurate records of all survey activities, equipment performance, and environmental conditions in daily progress reports.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Hydrographic Data Processing: Expert proficiency in at least one major software suite such as CARIS HIPS & SIPS, QPS Qimera/Fledermaus, EIVA NaviSuite, or Hypack/HYSWEEP.
Multibeam Echosounder (MBES) Operations: Hands-on experience with the setup, calibration (patch testing), and operation of systems from manufacturers like Kongsberg, R2Sonic, or Teledyne.
Geophysical Sensor Operations: Experience with Side Scan Sonar (SSS), Sub-Bottom Profilers (SBP), and Magnetometers for data acquisition and interpretation.
Positioning & Navigation Systems: In-depth knowledge of GNSS/DGPS and Inertial Navigation Systems (e.g., Applanix POS MV, iXblue Phins) for precise georeferencing.
Acoustic Positioning: Familiarity with USBL and LBL systems for tracking subsea assets like ROVs and AUVs.
Data Interpretation: Ability to identify and interpret seabed features, geohazards, man-made objects, and pipeline/cable conditions from sensor data.
GIS Software: Competency with GIS platforms like ArcGIS or QGIS for data integration, analysis, and map creation.
CAD Software: Working knowledge of AutoCAD or MicroStation for creating engineering drawings and charts.
IHO Standards: Strong understanding of International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-44 standards for survey quality.
Computer Networking: Basic understanding of vessel IT networks for troubleshooting data flow from sensors to acquisition stations.

Soft Skills

Meticulous Attention to Detail: A critical eye for data quality and procedural accuracy is paramount.
Problem-Solving: Ability to logically diagnose and resolve technical issues under pressure.
Adaptability: Resilience and flexibility to work long rotations in challenging and remote offshore environments.
Strong Communication: Excellent written and verbal skills for clear reporting and effective teamwork with a multinational crew.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively as part of a small, interdependent team.
Self-Motivation: A proactive and independent work ethic, especially during night shifts or periods of low supervision.
Decision Making: Confidence to make critical operational decisions that impact data quality and project timelines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in a relevant technical or scientific field.

Preferred Education:

Master of Science (M.S.) degree in a relevant field.
IHO/FIG/ICA Category "A" or "B" certified program completion.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Hydrography or Hydrographic Science
Geomatics or Surveying Engineering
Oceanography or Marine Science
Geophysics or Earth Sciences
Geography with a focus on GIS/Remote Sensing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-7 years of direct, hands-on experience as a Hydrographic Surveyor.

Preferred:

Demonstrable experience working offshore on commercial survey vessels for extended periods.
Experience serving as a Shift Leader, Party Chief, or Senior Surveyor on survey projects.
Proven track record in survey mobilization/demobilization and system integration.
Experience across various survey types, such as route surveys, as-built surveys, site characterization, and UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) campaigns.