Survey Project Manager

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

We’re seeking a Survey Project Manager to support our Redwood City office, serving as the primary day-to-day liaison between clients and project teams. This role plays a key part in ensuring projects are delivered smoothly, efficiently, and to the firm’s quality standards while fostering strong, trusted client relationships. It’s a strong opportunity for a seasoned survey professional to take ownership of projects, lead coordination efforts, and contribute to a collaborative, client-focused team environment.

Responsibilities

• Define project scope and support proposal development with the Survey Director or Principal-in-Charge (PIC), including technical qualifications and presentations
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and work plans; lead project execution and chair progress and review meetings
• Monitor project performance to ensure quality, schedule adherence, contract compliance, and budget control
• Maintain regular communication with the Director, PIC, and clients to report progress, resolve issues, and ensure client satisfaction
• Prepare monthly progress reports and billing; review billing with the Director or PIC prior to client submittal
• Direct projects through successful completion; review all plans, maps, and deliverables prior to client submittal
• Identify scope changes and additional services; obtain authorization for extra work prior to execution
• Prepare final project reports for review and filing by the Director or PIC
• Plan staff work assignments, contribute to performance reviews, and support staff training and professional development
• Ensure compliance with office standards and procedures in coordination with the Office Survey Supervisor
• Participate in technical and management training, seminars, and professional conferences to maintain and expand expertise

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Surveying and Mapping, Civil Engineering, or a related field from an ABET-accredited program, plus appropriate continuing education
• Active California Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license required
• Minimum of 8 years of professional-level surveying experience, including at least 2 years in responsible charge of field survey work
• 10 years of experience strongly preferred; 15+ years for Senior Project Manager level
• Without a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 10 years of professional surveying experience is required
• Experience must demonstrate progressively increasing responsibility, particularly on large, complex, or technically challenging projects
• Thorough knowledge of all phases of land surveying, including boundary law, subdivisions, California State Plane Coordinate System, applicable statutes, control and geodetic surveys, photogrammetry, and construction staking
• Proficiency with modern surveying instruments, electronic data collection systems, and office computing tools
• Strong understanding of contract administration, project management principles, scheduling, reporting, proposal development, and budget control
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a high-level management role
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a positive, professional management style
• Experience coordinating technical teams on long-duration, high-value, or complex projects
• Ability to deliver formal presentations to firm leadership, clients, and public agencies
• Reports to the Survey Group Director, Principal-in-Charge, and Office Manager regarding quality, schedule, staffing, standards compliance, and financial performance
• Performance evaluated by firm leadership and clients based on technical quality, schedule adherence, and overall project success

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

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