Senior Geophysical Project Manager

Overview

The Senior Geophysical Project Manager (SGPM) serves in a dual-capacity role that combines advanced geophysical expertise with project leadership and portfolio management responsibilities. Operating with minimal supervision, the SGPM is responsible for the successful execution of multiple concurrent projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives, contractual requirements, technical standards, and client expectations. As a senior member of the organization, the SGPM provides leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance while fostering collaboration among project teams, management, clients, subcontractors, and government stakeholders. The position typically consists of approximately 50% project management and 50% technical geophysical production, although the balance may vary based on project demands and business priorities.

 

The SGPM leads geophysical projects through all phases of execution, from initiation and planning through delivery and closeout. Responsibilities include managing project scope, schedule, budget, resources, risks, quality, and client communications while coordinating multidisciplinary and geographically distributed teams. The role requires oversight of project financial performance, including forecasting, variance analysis, resource planning, and implementation of corrective actions as needed to maintain project objectives. The SGPM routinely manages multiple task orders and projects within large government and commercial contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, regulatory standards, and company procedures while delivering projects safely, on schedule, and within budget.

 

In addition to project leadership responsibilities, the SGPM performs and oversees technical geophysical work, including data processing, quality control, interpretation, technical reviews, and preparation of project deliverables. The role collaborates closely with technical leads and subject matter experts to develop practical, technically sound solutions that meet client and project requirements. Through effective communication, strategic decision-making, and strong stakeholder management, the SGPM maintains productive relationships with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams while supporting business growth, technical excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization.

 

Work Environment:

• Location is flexible:  NV5 Regional Offices or work from home considered
• Eligibility to work in the United States and ability to satisfy contract-specific requirements, as applicable
• Travel < 20% of the time

At NV5, We are a collaboration of intelligent, innovative thinkers who care for each other, our communities, and the environment.  We value both heart and head, the diversity of our people, and their experiences because that is how we continue to grow as a leader in our industry and expand our individual and collective potential.

 

NV5 is a global technology solutions and consulting services company with a workforce of over 4,500 professionals in more than 100 offices worldwide.  NV5’s continued growth has been spurred through strategic investments in firms with unique capabilities to help current and future customers solve the world’s toughest problems.  The NV5 family brings together talent across a wide range of markets and fields, including Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, Architects, Photogrammetrists, GIS Professionals, Software Developers, IT, Project Management Professionals, and more.

 

 

Responsibilities

Project Management 

• Initiation: Support client requirements gathering, cost and schedule estimates, proposal development, project charter creation, and stakeholder engagement
• Planning: Create project portfolio, develop PM plan, prepare for procurement, kick off meeting
• Executing: Manage project documentation and procurement, oversee project delivery, implement changes, ensure quality, evaluate team performance, facilitate status meetings, and maintain stakeholder communications
• Monitoring and Controlling: Measure project performance, perform quality control, maintain project information databases, verify scope, collaborate with accounting
• Closing: Ensure final delivery of product to the client, seek feedback on the product and process, conduct project retrospective, communicate findings to Leadership, and update the lessons learned and process improvement records

Project Leadership 

• Project management, guidance and problem solving
• New business development support
• Cross-group collaborative problem solving
• Client, Consultant and Sub-contractor management 
• Project Administration 

Geophysical Production

• Data Processing: Process airborne magnetic and radiometric data using specialized software and tools to enhance signal-to-noise ratios, correct for environmental factors, and create interpretable datasets
• Analysis: Analyze geophysical data to identify anomalies that indicate geologic structure, mineral deposits and buried infrastructure. Interrogate data to distinguish target anomalies and trends from sensor/survey/environmental noise and processing artifacts in the geophysical data
• Quality Control: Conduct thorough quality control to ensure accuracy and reliability and troubleshoot any issues in data acquisition or processing. Ensure survey compliance to complex specifications
• Field Crew Coordination: Update and support field acquisition teams
• Deliverable Generation: Prepare final deliverables including reporting, metadata and other geophysical survey deliverables
• Research and Development: Stay current with advancements in geophysical methods and instruments and explore innovative approaches to data processing, analysis and automation in our geophysical workflows.

Other

• This position involves remote, office-based work and requires daily remote collaboration with our geophysical team including field- and office-based team members
• Adhere to Health & Safety protocols and guidelines ensuring a safe working environment for your team

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Exceptional client-facing communication skills & professionalism
• Initiative, independence and follow-through skills
• Problem solving and critical thinking
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Strong technical implementation skills (process development and improvement)
• Ability to maintain a professional and positive demeanor in times of stress
• Strong project management skills including familiarity with PM processes and tools
• Strong applied geophysical background, education and experience
• Familiarity with geotechnical and geophysical sensors, instrumentation and troubleshooting
• Strong geospatial, mapping, GIS and geophysical software skills

Minimum Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in Geophysics or related technical field
• 5+ years’ experience in a professional, technical production environment
• 3+ years’ experience in technical project management
• Eligibility to work in the United States and ability to satisfy contract-specific requirements, as applicable

Preferred Qualifications 

• Ph.D. in Geophysics or related technical field
• CAPM, PMP or other Project Management degree or credential
• Experience with Oasis Montaj, Global Mapper and other geological/geophysical data analysis tools
• Experience with gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric survey methods, particularly on moving platforms (airborne, marine, UAS)
• 5+ years’ experience managing international clients for mining, oil and gas, geotechnical, hydrological or other geological/geophysical projects
• 5+ years’ technical project management experience
• 5+ years’ experience leading teams
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

 

NV5 offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, FTO, 401(k) and professional development/advancement opportunities.

 

NV5 provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NV5 complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

 

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