Land Survey CAD Technician

Job Title: Land Survey CAD Technician

Job Description

The Land Survey CAD Technician will support field and office surveying activities, performing boundary, topographic, and control surveys while operating modern survey instruments and related software. This junior to intermediate-level role requires at least 3 years of surveying experience and the ability to travel within the region up to 20% of the time. The technician will work closely with survey crews to collect accurate data, assist with field setups, and contribute to high-quality survey deliverables for a variety of development and land surveying projects.

Responsibilities

• Perform various types of boundary, topographic, and control surveys in support of residential development and other land surveying projects.
• Set up and operate total stations, data collectors, conventional levels, and static/RTK GPS equipment efficiently and accurately.
• Assist with survey crew operations, working as an instrument operator and supporting the party chief and other team members in the field.
• Transport survey equipment and supplies to and from job sites, ensuring all tools are properly maintained and ready for use.
• Measure distances using total stations and other modern survey devices, recording data accurately and consistently.
• Use plumb rods, plumb bobs, disposable targets, and similar tools to obtain precise sights and alignments.
• Apply minimum knowledge of land surveying practices and techniques to support accurate and compliant field work.
• Use TDS software and related survey data collection tools to input, manage, and transfer survey data.
• Learn and apply survey codes quickly to ensure consistent and correct data collection and field documentation.
• Support the use of robotic total stations and digital levels when available, contributing to efficient field operations.
• Collaborate with surveyors and CAD staff to ensure collected data is suitable for processing in Civil 3D and other design platforms.
• Follow established safety procedures and field protocols while working outdoors in varied terrain and conditions.
• Maintain organized records of field notes, measurements, and instrument setups to support project documentation and quality control.

Essential Skills

• At least 3 years of land surveying experience, including hands-on field work.
• Experience performing boundary, ALTA, topographic, and control surveys.
• Proficiency with total stations and data collectors for distance and angle measurements.
• Experience using conventional levels and static/RTK GPS equipment in the field.
• Ability to perform quick and accurate instrument setups and operate instruments efficiently.
• Experience working with TDS software for survey data collection and management.
• Minimum knowledge of land surveying practices, techniques, and terminology.
• Working knowledge of modern survey devices and contemporary survey methods.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a survey crew, including supporting a party chief.
• Capability to perform physical field tasks such as clearing underbrush, setting stakes and pins, and transporting equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with robotic total stations and digital levels is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with Civil 3D for processing survey data and supporting design work.
• Exposure to survey drones and UAS operations in a surveying context is beneficial.
• Experience with Leica and Topcon survey instruments is an asset.
• Background in residential development surveying and land development projects is advantageous.
• Understanding of topographic surveys, land surveying, and general surveying workflows.
• Some formal education in surveying, civil engineering, or a related field, or equivalent real-world experience.
• Ability to learn new survey codes, software, and technologies quickly.

Work Environment

This role is based in the Raleigh, NC territory and involves working primarily in the field with travel up to approximately 20% within the state. The work environment includes outdoor field settings with varied terrain, vegetation, and weather conditions, requiring regular use of survey instruments such as total stations, GPS equipment, conventional levels, robotic total stations, digital levels, optical squares, and related tools. The technician will work as part of a survey crew, handling equipment, clearing underbrush, and setting stakes and pins. Office-based work may involve using TDS software, Civil 3D, and other survey-related applications to manage and process data. Standard field attire appropriate for outdoor work and safety requirements is expected.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Raleigh, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $25.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Raleigh,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.