Entry Level Survey Technician

Job Title: Survey Field Technician Job Description
The Survey Field Technician supports the surveying team on a wide range of public and private projects, including data centers, K12 facilities, airports, highways, municipal work, and land development across the metro Detroit area and select out-of-state industrial sites. This role focuses on collecting precise topographic, boundary, and utility survey data to determine numeric measurements and elevations for land development, parking lots, and buildings. The information gathered in the field is used by drafters and designers to create plans for new buildings, infrastructure, and site improvements.
Responsibilities
- Assist with topographic, boundary, and utility surveys for land development, parking lots, buildings, and infrastructure projects.
- Collect accurate numeric measurements, including 3D positions of specific points, distances and angles between building corners, and land elevations.
- Perform construction layout and staking for a variety of projects, including data centers, airports, highways, municipal work, and apartment complexes.
- Support survey crews on public and private projects throughout the metro Detroit area and other assigned locations.
- Operate Trimble GPS equipment and robotic total stations to capture precise survey data in the field.
- Work closely with crew chiefs and surveyors to plan daily field activities and ensure data quality and consistency.
- Document and organize field data so that drafters and designers can efficiently use it for new building and site designs.
- Drive to the office to meet the crew, then travel in company vehicles to project sites as scheduled.
- Participate in occasional out-of-state construction staking projects, typically for periods of 23 weeks at a time, with travel and per diem provided.
- Follow safety procedures and maintain a clean driving record while operating company vehicles.
- Collaborate with office and field staff to support a team-oriented, yet independent, work culture.
Essential Skills
- At least 1 year of survey field experience preferred; candidates with relevant construction field experience are also considered.
- Experience with construction staking, topographic surveys, and/or ALTA surveys is preferred, with training available for candidates who are eager to learn.
- Basic understanding of survey principles, including measurement of distances, angles, and elevations.
- Ability to work effectively in the field environment for the majority of the workweek.
- Clean driving record and ability to drive to the office and project sites.
- Willingness and ability to travel out of state for construction staking projects for 23 weeks at a time when needed.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to collecting accurate field data.
- Ability to collaborate with survey crews and communicate clearly with team members.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience using AutoCAD for drafting and reviewing survey-related drawings.
- Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Technology is a plus.
- Experience with Civil 3D or MicroStation CAD software is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of LIDAR technology and its application in surveying is beneficial.
- Familiarity with land development projects and related survey requirements.
- Experience working with Trimble GPS systems and robotic total stations.
- Background as a crew chief or surveyor on construction layout or stakeout projects is an advantage.
Work Environment
The role typically involves 4050 hours of work per week, with approximately 70% of time spent in the field and 30% in the office. Each day generally starts by driving to the Rochester Hills office, then joining the crew in a company truck to travel to project sites across the metro Detroit area and, at times, to out-of-state industrial locations. The Rochester Hills office houses around 60 employees and features a modern, up-to-date workspace with a large kitchen area and multiple conference rooms. The culture emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and a balance of independence and teamwork, with employee ownership opportunities and a longstanding history of integrity and excellence. The environment is supportive and engaging, with activities such as Halloween costumes, holiday office decorations, casual Fridays, and an annual bring-kids-to-work day. Travel for out-of-state projects is supported with covered travel expenses and per diem, and field work is performed using modern survey technologies such as Trimble GPS and robotic total stations.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rochester Hills, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $28.00/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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rochester Hills, MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 24, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Rochester Hills,MI. 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 [email protected] 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.