Department: Operations
Reports To: Project Manager / VP Operations
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Classification: Exempt – Professional
Work Arrangement: Office, remote, workshop and field-based as assigned
Primary Location: Houston, Texas / Offshore and Worldwide Project Locations
Travel Requirements: Extensive domestic/international travel, including offshore assignments
Personnel Supervised: Assigned offshore survey personnel
Effective Date: September 2026


Position Summary

The Offshore Party Chief leads offshore survey and subsea metrology operations, including mobilization, equipment readiness, data acquisition, quality control, processing and delivery of survey results. The position directs assigned survey personnel and is the primary field contact for the client and onshore project team.

The position leads field activities using technologies that may include inertial navigation, imaging, photogrammetry, machine vision, acoustic positioning, GNSS and other positioning and measurement systems.

The Offshore Party Chief is responsible for preparing the approved task plan, confirming survey offsets and measurements, supervising data acquisition and processing, and preparing accurate project deliverables in accordance with the client's scope of work, project requirements and company procedures. Daily Site Report (DSR) preparation and client acceptance is a required part of the role.

The position requires offshore leadership, technical judgment, clear communication and effective coordination with the onshore quality control team.


Essential Field-Based Duties and Responsibilities 

• Mobilize, configure, test and operate survey, positioning and measurement equipment.
• Lead offshore survey and positioning activities in accordance with project procedures, approved task plans and technical requirements.
• Operate and integrate systems including inertial navigation, photogrammetry, acoustic positioning, GNSS, imaging and other survey and measurement sensors.
• Monitor system performance, measurement integrity and data quality during survey operations.
• Identify, diagnose and troubleshoot equipment, communications, software, integration and data-quality issues.
• Lead survey calculations and the processing, review and quality control of collected data; confirm final values with the onshore quality control team before delivery.
• Evaluate survey results and identify data or system performance that may not meet project requirements.
• Maintain accurate field records, equipment records and project documentation.
• Lead the preparation and review of survey reports, 2D CAD drawings, data summaries and other required project deliverables.
• Keep the client, Project Manager and onshore team informed of project status, results, delays, changes and issues requiring action.
• Coordinate and direct survey activities with vessel crews, ROV personnel, client representatives and other contractors as required.
• Review the task plan with the offshore team, confirm all relevant equipment and measurement offsets, and obtain client approval of the task plan before the applicable work begins.
• Assign duties, supervise and support offshore survey personnel, and verify that field records and shift handovers are complete.
• Take responsibility for assigned personnel during mobilization and demobilization logistics to and from the work site, including travel coordination and readiness.
• Book and modify flights for assigned team members as needed for mobilization, demobilization and project schedule changes.
• Maintain assigned equipment in a serviceable condition and report equipment defects or deficiencies.
• Perform work in accordance with company quality, health, safety and environmental procedures and applicable client requirements.
• Perform other duties reasonably associated with the position as assigned. 

Essential Office-Based Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with Project Managers to plan projects, personnel, equipment, logistics and deliverables.
• Review project scopes of work, task plans, procedures, survey offsets and technical requirements; resolve discrepancies before offshore execution.
• Complete required company, technical and safety training.
• Prepare, configure and test equipment prior to mobilization to the field.
• Test and inspect equipment following return from field operations.
• Calibrate, test and evaluate equipment condition and serviceability.
• Support remote survey operations, including shift work when required.
• Support the design, development, testing and documentation of subsea tooling in accordance with approved client and project requirements.
• Support the engineering and development of new products, systems and capabilities, including mechanical design, prototyping, integration and testing.
• Lead the processing, review and quality control of survey data collected by field personnel and coordinate confirmation of final values with the onshore quality control team.
• Assist with the development and improvement of survey procedures, equipment configurations and operational methods.
• Maintain technical documentation and equipment records as required. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, surveying, geomatics, geophysics, ocean science, computer science or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant offshore survey experience.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Party Chief or equivalent offshore survey team lead.
• Technical and analytical ability appropriate to the responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to understand, configure and work with electronic instrumentation, computer systems and technical software.
• Ability to analyze technical problems and perform systematic troubleshooting.
• Ability to interpret technical data and exercise independent technical judgment within assigned responsibilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare clear technical documentation and reports.
• Proficiency in preparing and reviewing 2D CAD drawings and survey deliverables.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a project team.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally and work offshore for extended periods.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the medical, safety and training certifications required for assigned offshore work. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as Party Chief for subsea metrology operations, including LBL acoustic, inertial and contactless metrology.
• Experience with survey operations or survey instrumentation.
• Experience with inertial navigation systems.
• Experience with imaging, photogrammetry or machine-vision systems.
• Experience with acoustic and/or GNSS positioning systems.
• Experience with survey data acquisition and processing software.
• Experience with ROV or other subsea operations. 

Work Environment and Travel

The position involves a combination of office, remote, workshop, vessel and offshore work environments.

Project assignments may require worldwide travel, including travel at relatively short notice. Offshore assignments may involve extended periods away from home and work schedules of up to 12 hours per day, including day or night shifts, depending on project requirements.

The employee may work aboard moving vessels, offshore installations and other industrial facilities and may be exposed to noise, vibration, moving equipment, confined or restricted work areas, adverse weather and marine conditions. 

Physical and Operational Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including: 

• Working safely and effectively in offshore and marine environments.
• Performing assigned duties aboard moving marine vessels for extended periods.
• Boarding and working aboard vessels and offshore facilities.
• Climbing stairs and ladders and moving safely through industrial and marine work areas.
• Standing or working for extended periods during field operations.
• Handling and assisting with the installation and recovery of survey equipment in accordance with applicable company lifting and safety procedures.
• Using computers, electronic instrumentation and hand tools associated with survey equipment.
• Working scheduled day or night shifts, including shifts of up to 12 hours during offshore or remote operations.
• Meeting applicable medical, safety and training requirements for assigned offshore work. 

Certifications and Travel Requirements

Depending on project location and assignment, the employee may be required to obtain and maintain:

• Applicable offshore medical fitness certification, including OEUK certification where required.
• BOSIET/FUET or equivalent offshore survival and safety training.
• Client-, operator- or country-specific safety certifications.
• Valid passport and required visas or work authorizations.
• Other certifications required for specific vessels, offshore facilities or project locations. 

Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Responsibilities

The Offshore Party Chief is responsible for:

• Complying with company and client health, safety, environmental and quality requirements.
• Performing assigned work in accordance with approved procedures, task plans and risk assessments.
• Leading assigned offshore personnel in following approved procedures, task plans, risk assessments and client requirements.
• Identifying and reporting unsafe conditions, equipment deficiencies and operational risks.
• Exercising stop-work authority when an unsafe condition is identified in accordance with company procedures.
• Protecting company and client equipment and property.
• Reporting incidents, near misses and equipment damage in accordance with company procedures.
• Maintaining the quality and integrity of survey data and project deliverables. 

Job Description Acknowledgement

This job description describes the general nature and level of work associated with the position and identifies the principal duties and essential functions of the role. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive listing of every responsibility, activity or requirement associated with the position. 

Duties and responsibilities may be modified or reassigned based on business, operational and project requirements. 

The Company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Apply by emailing hiring@zupt.com. Please include your resume and an optional cover letter, and use the position title as the subject line.

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