Director, Survey

Help Us Change the World—One Project at a Time
At PRIME AE, we believe every bridge, building, classroom, park, and roadway we design tells a story—and leaves a legacy. Whether it’s through architecture, engineering, planning, or consulting, our work is deeply rooted in improving the everyday experiences of people and communities. Join us and be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team that values innovation, technical excellence, and meaningful contribution.

Who We Are:

PRIME AE Group, Inc. (www.primeeng.com) is a nationally ranked, full-service architecture and engineering firm with 22 offices across 9 states and a team of 500+ professionals. For nearly two decades, we’ve partnered with public and private sector clients to deliver creative, practical, and sustainable solutions across transportation, education, healthcare, municipal, federal, commercial, and recreational sectors.  We’re expanding our capabilities, our geography, and our team—and now is an exciting time to join us.  

We are currently seeking an experienced and visionary Survey Director to lead our survey operations in Columbus and the surrounding region.

What You’ll Do:

This senior-level role involves overseeing all aspects of field and office survey activities, aligning survey efforts with firmwide goals, and advancing the strategic growth of our Site/Civil and Transportation markets. The Director will guide a team of managers, technicians, and field crews while cultivating high-value client relationships and ensuring operational excellence across diverse project types.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction for the Columbus-based Survey Department and support operations in surrounding regional offices.
• Lead the planning and execution of complex land surveying efforts supporting Site/Civil and Transportation design projects.
• Ensure quality, consistency, and technical accuracy of deliverables including boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS, construction layout, and right-of-way surveys.
• Align survey strategies with the firm’s business goals, driving innovation in technology, process improvement, and service delivery.
• Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, equipment allocation, and operational performance.
• Mentor and develop a team of field crews, CAD technicians, and mid-level managers.
• Review and seal final survey documents, legal descriptions, plats, and acquisition documentation.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor to internal engineering teams, ensuring survey inputs support design standards and project timelines.
• Represent the survey practice in high-level client meetings, industry forums, and agency discussions.
• Lead proposal strategy and pricing development for key pursuits, contributing to overall business development.
• Track regional market trends and actively expand PRIME AE’s presence in public and private infrastructure programs.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Surveying, Civil Engineering, or related field strongly preferred.
• Licensed Professional Surveyor (PS) in Ohio required; multi-state licensure a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive surveying experience, including at least 5 years managing a survey department or multi-crew operation.
• Proven leadership in scaling operations, managing cross-functional teams, and building lasting client relationships.
• Deep knowledge of GPS, robotic total stations, LiDAR, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and Trimble Business Center.
• Strong background in infrastructure projects including DOT, municipal, utilities, and land development.
• Solid understanding of ROW acquisition, legal boundary analysis, and permitting processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally as needed.

Why PRIME AE?
We don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. At PRIME AE, you’ll find a culture of support, flexibility, and opportunity. You’ll work on impactful projects that improve daily life, alongside colleagues who inspire and challenge you. Whether you’re advancing your technical skills or growing as a leader, we’re committed to helping you succeed.

• Full-Career Support: Flexible career paths across disciplines, from technical specialist to project leadership.
• People-First Culture: We hire top talent, champion diversity, trust, and integrity.