Land Survey Project Manager

Job Description

The Opportunity

KPFF Consulting Engineers is seeking an experienced Survey Project Manager to join our Los Angeles Survey team. This is a primarily office-based opportunity for a survey professional who enjoys managing projects, providing technical leadership, building client relationships, and mentoring team members.

Established in Los Angeles in 1968, KPFF has contributed to projects that shape communities throughout Southern California. Our Survey team provides land surveying and mapping services for projects of all sizes, working closely with KPFF's civil engineering teams as well as external clients. Our services include boundary and topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, construction staking, aerial surveys, subdivision and parcel maps, condominium plans, vertical airspace maps, legal descriptions, and laser scanning.

As a Survey Project Manager, you will oversee multiple projects of varying size, scope, and duration, from short-term assignments to complex, multi-year engagements. You'll be responsible for technical quality, project schedules and budgets, client coordination, and providing guidance to survey team members.

Our team has a strong pipeline of ongoing work, much of which supports KPFF's civil engineering projects. While opportunities exist to develop client relationships and contribute to new business, the primary focus of this position is successfully managing projects, delivering high-quality work, and supporting the team's continued growth.

This is a primarily office-based position, with occasional site visits as needed. Our Los Angeles team follows a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days working remotely following an initial training period. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are preferred in-office days, with flexibility in selecting the third day.

Where We Stand Out

• Diverse Project Opportunities: Work on a wide variety of surveying projects supporting civil engineering, infrastructure, development, and public agency clients throughout Southern California.
• Established Project Pipeline: Join a team with a strong volume of ongoing work, allowing you to focus on technical leadership, project delivery, and client relationships.
• Professional Independence: Take ownership of projects and technical decisions while having the support of experienced colleagues and multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborative Environment: Work closely with survey professionals, field crews, and civil engineering teams to deliver comprehensive solutions for our clients.
• Professional Growth: Access mentorship, specialized training programs, technical seminars, and opportunities to develop your leadership and technical expertise.
• Work-Life Integration: Enjoy a supportive team environment, flexible work arrangements, and comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional and personal well-being.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple surveying projects concurrently, overseeing project planning, schedules, budgets, resources, and deliverables.
• Provide technical oversight for boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, right-of-way, construction staking, subdivision, and other land surveying projects.
• Coordinate and direct the work of office survey staff and field crews to ensure accurate, timely, and efficient project delivery.
• Review and analyze survey data, boundary information, field calculations, records, and mapping documents to resolve technical challenges and support project decisions.
• Oversee the preparation and quality control of survey deliverables, including ALTA/NSPS surveys, subdivision and parcel maps, legal descriptions, construction staking calculations, condominium plans, and other technical documents.
• Review, approve, and sign or seal survey documents as appropriate and in accordance with applicable licensure requirements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned clients, managing expectations, communicating project progress, and maintaining strong working relationships.
• Coordinate with KPFF's civil engineering teams and other project stakeholders to support design and construction activities.
• Monitor project performance, proactively address schedule and budget challenges, and balance competing priorities across multiple assignments.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and support to survey team members, encouraging professional development and consistent quality standards.
• Participate in project scoping, proposals, and client relationship development as opportunities arise.
• Visit project sites as needed to evaluate existing conditions, address technical issues, or provide direction to field crews.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Approximately 10 or more years of progressive land surveying experience, including significant responsibility for managing survey projects.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing multiple surveying projects, including schedules, budgets, technical deliverables, and project coordination.
• Strong technical knowledge of boundary surveying, topographic surveying, construction staking, mapping, and related land surveying practices.
• Experience reviewing survey calculations, field data, mapping documents, and technical deliverables for accuracy and quality.
• Proficiency with computer-aided design (CAD) software used in surveying and mapping.
• Experience coordinating office and field survey personnel and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize competing project demands.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage client expectations, and take ownership of project outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active California Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license.
• Experience using AutoCAD Civil 3D for survey production and project delivery.
• Experience with Trimble Business Center (TBC).
• Experience mentoring survey professionals and providing technical leadership.
• Experience supporting civil engineering design projects and working with public agency or private development clients.
• Experience developing client relationships and contributing to proposals or new project opportunities.

Additional Information

Why KPFF?

Mentorship & Development: Through KPFF's Forefront Education Program, you'll have access to mentorship, technical training, and professional development opportunities that support continued learning and career growth. We encourage independence and provide opportunities to take ownership of meaningful work.

Relationship Building: We prioritize meaningful connections with our clients, partners, and colleagues. Our teams work collaboratively to deliver high-quality solutions and build long-term relationships based on trust and shared success.

Supportive Environment: KPFF encourages professional independence, collaboration, and work-life integration. We believe our people do their best work when they have the support, resources, and flexibility to succeed.

Benefits

We are passionate about supporting our employees through flexible and comprehensive benefits. Our benefits include:

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contribution, regardless of employee contribution
• Medical insurance with two plan options
• Dental and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life insurance
• KPFF Paid Family Leave
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid holidays, including two floating holidays
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave
• Professional development and applicable licensing support

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $140,000–$175,000 annually, depending on qualifications, experience, technical expertise, and licensure. KPFF also offers performance-based bonus opportunities to recognize individual contributions. Additional information about compensation and benefits will be provided during the interview process.

Work Authorization: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or transfer. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer-sponsored visa support now or in the future.

KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.