SAM
Geospatial data solutions and construction services
Advanced Locate Technician - Subsurface Utility Engineering
Ability to travel for extended periods is required.
About the job
- Obtain and maintain all required safety certifications.
- Possess a high school diploma.
- Have working knowledge of ASCE 38 guidelines and associated quality levels.
- Demonstrate basic comprehension and interpretation of planimetric and design plans, profiles and cross sections, utility records, and related documentation.
- Have 1-2 years of subsurface utility engineering field experience.
- Hold a valid driver's license and meet company motor vehicle record standards.
- Designate all types of utilities in rural and urban environments using geophysical equipment, project field documentation and survey, and vacuum excavation to expose utilities.
- Select and apply standard issue surface geophysical equipment and non-standard accessories to accurately designate moderately complex public and private underground utility systems for 2D QL-B and 3D QL-B mapping projects.
- Act as lead on two-person designating teams.
- Collect data for and complete vault diagram forms for 2D QL-B mapping projects.
- Employ VRS ground-penetrating radar survey equipment to collect horizontal data for 2D QL-B mapping projects and QL-A test holes.
- Act as lead on crews employing vacuum excavators and associated equipment to excavate and backfill test holes on existing utilities at average depths and under average conditions.
- Employ automatic or digital levels and associated equipment to run level loops and collect QL-A data from utilities exposed in test hole excavations.
- Collect data for utility pole inventories and overhead utility mapping projects.
- Implement approved traffic control plans for work conducted outside of travel lanes.
- Coordinate with internal survey crews in the field.
- Travel for extended periods of time.
- Experience working as a lead on subsurface utility engineering QL-A and QL-B field crews.
- Survey experience.
- Military experience.
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
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- SAM bought Wilson & Associates on August 31, 2026, strengthening the Southeast.
- New Mountain’s July 1, 2026 majority investment adds capital for expansion.
- ENR ranked SAM No. 92 in 2026, signaling durable market relevance.
What critics are saying
- SAM’s acquisition machine can break if Wilson integration disappoints by 2027.
- Utilities can rebid work to larger rivals like NV5 and Stantec quickly.
- If New Mountain’s roll-up slows, SAM loses its existential growth engine.
What makes SAM unique
- SAM’s 2026 New Mountain deal validates its utility-focused geospatial platform.
- Peak Rock doubled revenue and closed 19 acquisitions since 2021.
- SAM serves 20 of the top 25 U.S. utilities with end-to-end services.
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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
Parental Leave
Professional Development Budget
Training Programs
Mentorship Program
Employee Referral Bonus
Perks at Work
Employee Discounts
Wellness Program
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↓ -1%2 year growth
↑ 34%AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 31, 2026-- SAM (“SAM” or the “Company”), a leading independent provider of mission-critical geospatial and inspection services to the utility, transportation and critical infrastructure markets, today announced its acquisition of Wilson & Associates, P.C.
Peak Rock Capital has sold SAM Companies, a geospatial and inspection services provider for utilities and critical infrastructure, to New Mountain Capital. Financial terms were not disclosed. Under Peak Rock's ownership since 2021, SAM more than doubled revenue, completed 19 acquisitions, and expanded from its original footprint to add 25 offices. The company now serves 20 of the top 25 US utilities, providing end-to-end geospatial intelligence services across the critical infrastructure lifecycle. SAM, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, uses advanced scientific methods to capture and analyse infrastructure data, supporting grid modernisation and AI-driven infrastructure investment. The company has developed technical and AI capabilities positioning it as an industry leader in the sector. Guggenheim Securities and Houlihan Lokey advised on the transaction.
Surveying And Mapping, LLC (“SAM” or the “Company”) today announced that it has acquired Donaldson, Garrett & Associates, Inc. (“DG&A”), a Georgia-based land...
SAM is excited to announce that Inland Geodetics, a trusted provider of Land Surveying services in Central Texas, has joined the SAM family.
SAM Companies has acquired Hyatt Survey Services, Inc., a Florida-based Land Surveying, Mapping, and Hydrographic firm.