Lidar Technician III; Federal Programs

Who We Are

For over thirty years, SAM has built a reputation as a trusted, knowledgeable, and innovative partner. Our licensed professionals transform petabytes of complex spatial data into intelligent insights in a holistic Managed Geospatial Services™ (MGS™) framework. As North America's premiere MGS™ company, SAM provides practical, precise, and high-fidelity solutions designed to enhance decision-making, mitigate risks, achieve strategic objectives, and drive costs out of our client's business.

Our vision is to advance spatial data acquisition, improve analysis capabilities, and develop predictive analytics to redefine and transform how infrastructure assets are developed and managed throughout their life cycles.

SAM is seeking an experienced Lidar Technician to support and oversee product development for federal team deliverables, primarily serving U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. This role is responsible for managing production workflows, ensuring deliverables meet federal specifications, and maintaining high standards of quality. Experience in dataset production, GIS, and remote sensing deliverables aligned with USGS and USACE standards is required, along with strong familiarity with USGS Lidar Base Specification (LBS), ASPRS standards, and USACE Engineering and Design Manual (EDM) guidelines.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, capable of independently managing tasks and meeting deadlines, and demonstrates strong communication skills. This position offers the opportunity to work with advanced geospatial technologies while contributing to critical federal programs and mission-driven applications.

• Lead product generation and finalization for the full suite of USGS and USACE standard deliverables, including point cloud, rasters, hydro break lines, metadata, and reporting.
• Assign product development tasks and track team progress, ensuring that deadlines and quality expectations are met.
• Review 3D Elevation Program (3
  
  DEP) and 3D Hydrography Program (3
  
  DHP) deliverables for correctness and accuracy, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Assist in bare earth point cloud editing, hydro feature extraction, and DEM reviews as needed.

• 5+ years of experience in GIS/remote sensing, with a focus on lidar data collection and processing.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Geography, GIS, or a related field.
• Proficient in geospatial software such as ESRI ArcGIS Pro, Arc Map, Geocue LP360, Blue Marble Geographics Global Mapper, Bentley Microstation, and Terrasolid suite.
• Understanding of collection specifications and current 3
  
  DEP Lidar Base Specification (LBS) deliverables.
• Experience with United States Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Elevation Product (3
  
  DEP) and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects.
• Strong communication, time and task management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead a team effectively.

• Topobathymetric lidar production/processing experience a plus.
• Experience with United States Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Hydrography Program (3
  
  DHP), Elevation-Derived Hydrography (EDH), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projects.

• Health and Wellness Benefits:
  Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance coverage begins the month after your hire date, Free Vision + Dental plans for employees, company-paid premiums for Long-term disability/Life Insurance (with HSA + FSA plans), SAM Cares program focused on holistic well-being
• Financial Benefits:
  
  Employee Referral Rewards Program of $1K, $2,500 or $5K, Fidelity retirement plans with a 5% company match, tuition reimbursement, optional cellphone stipend
• Work-Life Balance:
  Paid time off including vacation/sick/holidays, parental leave to support families
• Professional Development:
  Customized career development plan for licensing and certifications, Project Manager Business Academy, CAD Training Program, Individual Development Plans/Career Check-Ins, SAM WINS - our initiative for women-focused leadership and development, Milestone Anniversary Recognition, SAMbassador mentorship program
• Perks and Discounts:
  Access to “Perks at Work” for discounts on wellness + travel + leisure and everyday purchases, company-sponsored events, free office snacks
• Culture and Awards/Achievements: SAM Named 2023 Top Workplace USA for Second Consecutive Year; 2023 SAM Ranks No. 88 on ENR Top 500 Design Firms