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- Sr. Hydrographer
Description
Location: PCB, FL or surrounding areas. Relocation possible
Pre Employment: Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screening.
No visa sponsorship. Must be a US Citizen.
An idea was born.
Out of the box thinking. Not the norm. Changing the way things have always been done. Those are just some ideas that started on the back of a napkin, but they didn’t stay there. Our CEO, Joe Wolfel, a former Navy SEAL, saw an idea of how to disrupt the way the world looks at the ocean and voila, Terradepth was born.
The ocean is our swim lane.
We are increasing human interaction with the ocean by collecting comprehensive, high-resolution ocean data to empower society with information and knowledge crucial to the sustainable advancement of a variety of key industries. Interested? Great! Immerse yourself and see if you have the fins to swim in our pool.
Our Crew.
We are ocean enthusiasts, technologists, problem solvers, and makers dedicated to advancing ocean exploration. We are pioneers and made up of, to name a few…road bikers, chess players, dog lovers, world travelers, military veterans, and an array of individuals with diverse technical backgrounds. We have family people, single people and people who refer people. And if we’re being totally honest…we like each other.
Why “fit” matters.
It’s not going to matter how smart or competent you are if you’re not a good cultural fit. We demand that our people adhere to our values: Speed, Discipline, and Collaboration. We also expect team cohesion while avoiding groupthink – which is a difficult balance to maintain. Before we get into the details of the day-to-day duties, let’s get down to the ocean floor. What you do, How you do it, and Why you want to work here matters.
What about you?
The Sr. Hydrographer is responsible for the comprehensive planning and delivery of complex hydrographic survey projects.
Here is a key point for you to consider. Are you flexible? We don’t mean physically, we mean being open-minded in the way you work. We don’t do normal in the way executing surveys has always been done. We use a variety of robotic systems, approaches, and good old ingenuity to get the job done wherever it is. Though we’re doing things in a new way, that doesn’t mean we allow for a decrease in data quality - and we get it, that’s hard. Using new equipment in new ways to provide quality ocean data is non-negotiable. We are telling you up front, it’s part of the job and yes, it isn’t easy.
Collaborating with field operations, managing project data processing teams, ensuring the highest standards of data quality and integrity, and serving as a primary technical point of contact for clients is central to this role. Using your extensive expertise in hydrographic principles, advanced survey technologies (including AUVs, ASVs, and traditional multibeam systems), and data processing workflows, the Sr. Hydrographer will drive successful project outcomes. All that to say, this position requires occasional travel, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to thrive in challenging marine environments.
In addition, teamwork, accountability, partnership, and leadership are key traits we look for. As team-members we strive to be humble enough to learn but confident enough to execute. We love curiosity without distraction. As leaders in our organization and threaded into our day-to-day activities is our commitment to support, invest in and stretch our employees to help them achieve their ultimate career goals.
Still interested? Let’s wrap this up with what else you need to know.
Essential Functions
Project Leadership & Planning:
- Lead the development of detailed project plans, including scope definition, resource allocation, budget management, and scheduling for hydrographic survey campaigns.
- Select and optimize hydrographic survey equipment, including AUVs, multibeam echosounders, side-scan sonars, magnetometers, and advanced positioning systems, based on project requirements.
- Develop and refine survey methodologies, ensuring compliance with industry standards (e.g., IHO S-44) and client specifications.
- Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for field operations.
Field Operations Management:
- Collaborate with field hydrographic teams, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and operational oversight during mobilization, data acquisition, and demobilization.
- Implement and enforce rigorous quality control procedures throughout the data acquisition phase, ensuring real-time data integrity and troubleshooting complex equipment issues.
- Assist in management of field logistics, including personnel, equipment, and vessel coordination.
Advanced Data Acquisition & Quality Assurance:
- Ensure the precise execution of hydrographic surveys to collect high-resolution bathymetric, imagery, and other geophysical data.
- Establish and maintain robust quality assurance protocols for all collected data, from raw acquisition to preliminary processing.
- Review and validate all field documentation, including daily reports, calibration logs, and anomaly reports
Data Processing & Reporting Oversight:
- Oversee the comprehensive post-processing of hydrographic data, including bathymetric processing, side-scan sonar mosaicking, and feature identification
- Lead the generation of final hydrographic reports, charts, and deliverables, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to client specifications.
- Provide expert interpretation of collected data and contribute to advanced analyses.
Safety, Compliance & Training:
- Develop, implement, and enforce company safety policies and procedures, ensuring a strong safety culture within the field and processing teams.
- Ensure all operations comply with relevant national and international regulations, including IHO standards and maritime safety guidelines.
- Provide training and development opportunities for junior hydrographers and field personnel.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Serve as the primary technical liaison with clients and stakeholders, communicating project progress, addressing technical queries, and managing expectations.
- Participate in client meetings, presentations, and project reviews.
- Foster strong client relationships through effective communication and successful project delivery.
- Ability to maintain any required certifications for offshore work.
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Minimum Requirements
- Master's degree in Hydrographic Surveying, Geomatics, Oceanography, Marine Science, or a closely related field.
- Mandatory: THSOA Level 2 Certified Hydrographer
- Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in field hydrographic surveying, with significant experience in a leadership or senior role.
- U.S. Citizen.
- Ability to obtain a security clearance.
- Extensive hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting a wide range of hydrographic survey equipment, including advanced AUVs and multibeam echosounder systems (e.g., Kongsberg, R2Sonic, Teledyne RESON).
- Demonstrated expertise with various positioning systems (GNSS, INS, USBL) and their integration in complex survey operations.
- Advanced proficiency in industry-standard data acquisition and processing software (e.g., Hypack, QPS QINSy/Fledermaus, CARIS HIPS and SIPS, SonarWiz).
- Proven track record of successfully managing and delivering complex hydrographic projects.
- Exceptional leadership, team management, and mentoring skills.
- Superior problem-solving and analytical capabilities, with a keen eye for detail.
- Expert knowledge of hydrographic survey principles, data processing techniques, and quality control methodologies.
- Strong project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences (internal teams, clients, stakeholders).
- Proficiency in technical report writing and data visualization.
- Ability to work autonomously and make critical decisions in high-pressure field environments.
- Proficiency in office software (Microsoft Office Suite) and potentially GIS software.
Physical Requirements and Travel:
- Ability to travel extensively (up to 40%), often for extended periods, to various domestic and international project sites, including remote locations.
- Ability to work in challenging marine environments, including offshore vessels and potentially harsh weather conditions.
- Ability for field work, including offshore operations on vessels, and potentially onshore work in remote or challenging environments.
- Requires variable schedules, including long hours, weekends, and holidays, depending on project demands and deadlines.
- Must be physically capable of lifting and moving heavy equipment, working on vessels, and performing tasks that require standing, bending, and stooping for prolonged periods.
If we piqued your interest, we hope you pique ours and follow the prompts to apply.