Aquila Corporation · 2 days ago
Survey Chief
Batesville, IN
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
7+ years expAquila Corporation is seeking a Survey Chief to lead all survey activities supporting the planning and deployment of fiber-optic infrastructure. The role involves overseeing survey strategies, managing geospatial data, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality survey outputs.
Telecommunications
Responsibilities
Define the overall survey strategy for new fiber routes, upgrades, and maintenance projects
Align survey objectives with engineering design specs, network capacity targets, and construction schedules
Prioritize survey types (aerial, underground, trench, GIS, LiDAR) based on terrain, urban density, and regulatory constraints
Oversee aerial and ground‑based surveys to map existing utilities, easements, and property boundaries
Ensure accurate capture of clearance envelopes, conduit depths, and pole‑mounting locations
Coordinate with local municipalities, utility owners, and land‑owner representatives to obtain permits and access agreements
Manage acquisition and processing of GIS layers, satellite imagery, LiDAR point clouds, and GNSS data
Maintain a centralized spatial database that integrates survey results with network design tools (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS)
Direct field crews in stake‑out, as‑built verification, trench depth checks, and pole‑placement surveys
Implement safety protocols (OSHA, local regulations) for field operations, including traffic control and confined‑space entry
Establish SOPs for survey methodology (sampling intervals, equipment calibration, data validation)
Conduct regular QA/QC audits of field data, ensuring positional accuracy (≤ ± 10 cm for GNSS, ≤ ± 5 cm for LiDAR) and completeness of utility inventories
Supervise a multidisciplinary team of survey engineers, GIS analysts, field technicians, and contract vendors
Provide coaching on advanced surveying technologies (UAV photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, RTK GNSS)
Evaluate and manage external survey service providers, drone operators, and equipment vendors
Recommend and integrate new tools (e.g., automated pole‑mount detection, AI‑enhanced utility clash detection)
Translate raw survey data into engineering‑ready deliverables: route alignment files, utility clash reports, construction staking packages, and as‑built drawings
Produce executive‑level status reports highlighting risk factors, schedule impacts, and cost implications
Serve as the primary liaison between engineering, construction, permitting, and finance teams
Facilitate workshops to review survey findings, resolve utility conflicts, and adjust design assumptions
Ensure all surveys meet FCC, state, and local utility‑mapping regulations (e.g., NPDES, environmental impact assessments)
Maintain documentation for audit trails, permit applications, and environmental compliance filings
Develop and track the survey operations budget, controlling costs for equipment, labor, and third‑party services
Optimize crew scheduling and equipment utilization to minimize downtime
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geomatics, Surveying, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
≥ 7 years of experience conducting surveys for telecommunications or utility infrastructure
≥ 3 years in a supervisory or lead role managing survey teams and external vendors
Proficiency with GNSS/RTK, total stations, UAV/drone photogrammetry, and terrestrial LiDAR
Advanced GIS expertise (ArcGIS, QGIS) and familiarity with network-design integration tools (AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation)
Ability to work with engineering software for route optimization and clash detection
Strong grasp of utility mapping standards, right-of-way clearance calculations, and underground utility detection methods (GPR, EM induction)
Understanding of FCC fiber-optic deployment rules, state ROW statutes, and local permitting processes
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, negotiate with municipal authorities, and present technical findings to senior executives
Experience implementing OSHA-compliant field safety programs and managing environmental impact assessments
Detail-oriented, problem-solver, adaptable to field conditions, and capable of making data-driven decisions under tight timelines
Preferred
Experience with OSP Fiber and small cell wireless deployments
Familiarity with Trimble equipment (MX50, MX60, MX90, R2, Geode, etc)
Familiarity with AI-assisted utility detection or machine-learning-based route optimization
Certified GIS Professional (GISP) or Certified Survey Technician (CST)
Background in project management (PMP or equivalent)
Company
Aquila Corporation
Aquila is proud to call Indiana home, but our reach extends far beyond our origins.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase