Senior Geospatial Surveyor – Rail & Highways

Introduction

As one of the largest measurement survey companies in the UK, Plowman Craven provides a range of services to the property, rail and infrastructure markets. Our innovation, dynamic approach and commitment to delivering a flawless service is achieved by investing in and empowering our employees to push boundaries and reach new heights. Regardless of the size or complexity of a project, our clients trust us to provide a service that goes beyond their expectations.

Role Overview

The Senior Geospatial Surveyor takes technical responsibility for surveys within our Infrastructure division, leading on site delivery and ensuring accurate, reliable survey outputs across rail, highways and wider infrastructure projects.

Combining hands-on surveying expertise with team leadership, quality assurance and project coordination, the role involves planning survey activities, selecting appropriate technologies, managing site teams and resolving technical challenges. Working closely with Lead Surveyors, Project Managers, processing teams and clients, the Senior Surveyor plays a key role in delivering projects safely, efficiently and to the required technical standards.

This role would suit an experienced surveyor with strong technical expertise in geospatial surveying who enjoys leading site teams, taking ownership of survey quality and delivering complex infrastructure projects.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Plan and coordinate allocated surveys, reviewing project scope, accuracy requirements, access constraints, resources and programme to determine suitable survey methods and equipment.
• Lead and undertake complex field surveys across rail, highways and wider infrastructure projects, briefing and supervising survey teams and coordinating daily activities.
• Establish, observe and verify survey control, levelling and GNSS networks, ensuring coordinate systems, datums and accuracy requirements are correctly applied.
• Take responsibility for the technical quality of allocated surveys, checking field data, processing and deliverables against agreed specifications and tolerances before submitting outputs for review.
• Coordinate fieldwork, processing and data handovers, ensuring survey records and datasets are accurate, complete, traceable and securely stored.
• Work with clients, site teams, processing staff, subcontractors and Project Managers to resolve technical queries, manage interfaces and communicate progress, risks and changes.
• Contribute to method statements and risk assessments, brief teams on approved safe working arrangements and escalate unsafe conditions or technical issues where necessary.
• Coach and mentor junior colleagues and surveyors, reviewing their work, sharing technical knowledge and supporting the development of the wider Infrastructure team.

What We’re Looking For

• Substantial surveying experience, typically five or more years, with the ability to deliver surveys independently and lead site teams on infrastructure or civil engineering projects. Rail and highways experience is advantageous.
• A relevant qualification in surveying, geomatics or civil engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong practical knowledge of control traverses, precise levelling, total station and GNSS surveying, with a sound understanding of accuracy, coordinate systems, datums and quality assurance.
• Experience planning survey activities, coordinating people and equipment, managing competing priorities and delivering to programme and quality requirements.
• Strong technical judgement, with the ability to investigate discrepancies, resolve problems and recognise when issues need to be escalated.
• Experience supervising and mentoring survey staff, alongside clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence using survey processing and CAD software. Experience with n4ce, Cyclone, AutoCAD, laser scanning and Amberg systems would be advantageous.
• A full UK manual driving licence and willingness to travel nationwide, undertake night work, work away from home and support weekend shifts as project requirements dictate.
• A CSCS card is required. Personal Track Safety (PTS) and London Underground Worksite Safety Induction (LU-WSSI) are desirable, with company-supported training available where needed.