Field Survey Technician/Instrument Operator
About the job
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- A valid driver's license and the ability to meet company motor vehicle record standards are required.
- One year of industry experience is required.
- Knowledge of land surveying practices and the performance of basic surveys, mathematical computations, and field operations is required.
- Ability to work outdoors year-round in all types of weather conditions and environments is required.
- Availability to travel and stay out of town for work as needed is required.
- Use a variety of land survey instruments to support a field crew in daily operations gathering data for boundary, topographic, and construction layout surveys.
- Assist in completing field surveys under a Crew Chief's supervision, communicate progress, and address problems.
- Operate land survey equipment, including robotic total stations, GNSS receivers, data radios/modems, terrestrial 3D laser scanners, and automatic and digital levels.
- Use survey controllers and software to collect geospatial data and perform survey computations.
- Read and interpret various types of maps and plans.
- Complete neat and orderly field notes with accurate measurements for land survey operations under a Crew Chief's supervision.
- Load and unload trucks with land survey equipment and supplies.
- Clean and maintain land survey equipment, tools, and vehicles.
- Follow company safety procedures, policies, and practices.
About the company
SAM Companies provides end-to-end geospatial data solutions and construction-phase services. Its core offering, Managed Geospatial Services (MGS), collects data with aerial, mobile, and terrestrial LiDAR, photogrammetry, and unmanned systems, turning it into actionable intelligence. The firm also delivers subsurface utility engineering, GIS, utility coordination, and construction services through SAM-Construction Services, creating a single point of contact for surveying, mapping, and project oversight. It stands as one of North America’s largest full-service geospatial and construction firms, growing through organic expansion and numerous acquisitions to tackle large-scale projects with the goal of reducing risk and improving decision-making for critical infrastructure.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Late Stage VC
Total Funding
$36.7M
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
Founded
1994
Get referred to SAM
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- New Mountain Capital’s July 2026 majority investment adds capital for expansion and hiring.
- Wilson & Associates’ August 2026 deal deepens SAM’s Southeast footprint and Tennessee reach.
- Ameren’s April 2026 deployment and Con Edison’s January 2026 pilot validate technical demand.
What critics are saying
- SAM’s 19 acquisitions and 2026 Wilson integration create messy systems and culture clashes.
- SAM depends on large utilities buying project work, so revenue tracks customer capex timing.
- Esri, Trimble, and utility in-house teams can compress SAM into a replaceable services vendor.
What makes SAM unique
- SAM spans surveying, SUE, inspection, GIS, and digital data in one platform.
- SAM serves 20 of the top 25 U.S. utilities after 19 acquisitions.
- Ameren and Con Edison use SAM’s CIM-based workflows for grid modernization.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- 401(k) Company Match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Phone/Internet Stipend
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Paid Holidays