Principal Land Surveyor
Celnor
Principal Land Surveyor
Department: Geospatial - South
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Crawley
Description
Who we are
Vision Survey was founded in 2007 with a clear ambition: to give clients greater clarity and confidence when making decisions about the built environment. Since then, we have grown into a trusted surveying and investigation business, supporting major civil engineering and infrastructure projects including Thames Tideway, Silvertown, HS2, major UK Airports, AMP8 water programme, and Hinkley/Sizewell Nuclear facilities.
Our mission is to bring together skilled people, practical technology and reliable survey information to solve construction challenges and raise industry standards. For experienced surveyors, that means more than delivering surveys: it means tackling complex projects, improving ways of working and developing the next generation. If you take pride in your craft and want to shape what comes next, there is a place for you at Vision.
Part of the Celnor Group
Celnor Group is a UK-based environmental services group operating across the Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) sectors. Its growing portfolio of specialist businesses provides essential services that protect people, property and the environment.
Each business retains its own identity, culture and technical specialism, supported by a central group function investing in people, systems and sustainable growth. For you, this means the backing and resources of a larger group, with the agility and close-knit feel of a specialist business where your expertise matters and you can make a visible difference.
Job details
Does your next career move feel like a step away from the work you love? If management seems like the only route forward, but your passion lies in surveying, solving technical challenges and coaching the next generation, this opportunity is for you. At Vision, you can progress through technical leadership, staying hands-on, sharing your expertise and shaping the next generation of surveyors.
We are looking for an experienced Principal Land Surveyor to play a key role within our Geospatial team. Combining hands-on delivery of complex surveying projects with mentoring, coaching and training through our Vision Academy, you will lead by example, maintain technical excellence and help develop the skills and careers of future surveyors.
What you will do
- Lead complex land surveying assignments, including traversing, topographical surveys, monitoring, setting out and laser scanning, resolving challenging field and processing issues.
- Ensure the quality and accuracy of survey data, drawings and reports, meeting agreed specifications, programmes and client requirements.
- Provide hands-on technical leadership, guiding survey teams in consistent methods, accuracy and safe working practices.
- Coordinate site surveying activities, working with clients and project teams to agree technical approaches and resolve issues.
- Mentor colleagues from Trainee to Senior Land Surveyor, providing practical coaching and technical guidance to develop their skills and confidence.
- Lead the land surveying element of Vision Academy, developing and delivering technical training, learning pathways and competency assessments.
- Work with managers to identify skills gaps, support onboarding and assess individual development to help colleagues progress.
- Champion continuous improvement by sharing knowledge and developing surveying techniques, equipment, workflows and technical standards.
Who you are
- Holds a relevant surveying degree, diploma or industry-recognised qualification. CICES or RICS membership, or a willingness to work towards it, is desirable.
- Has extensive land surveying experience, with a proven ability to independently deliver complex projects in challenging and highly regulated environments.
- Has strong technical capability with Leica Total Stations, laser scanners, precise levels and GPS/GNSS equipment, alongside AutoCAD 2D/3D and N4CE. Leica Cyclone experience is beneficial.
- Takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality survey data, drawings and reports, with the ability to troubleshoot technical challenges.
- Has proven experience developing, mentoring and assessing surveyors at different stages of their careers.
- Can develop structured training programmes and competency frameworks, translating technical knowledge into measurable improvements in capability.
- Is approachable and supportive, with an interest in technical training, competency assessments and structured development.
- Communicates confidently, leads by example and demonstrates our values of Drive, Dedication, Resilience, Integrity, Versatility and Excellence.
Above all, you will demonstrate our approach to work and problem-solving: Own It, Solve It, Do It Right.
Join us
You’ll be joining a business where your contribution matters and where professionalism, integrity and teamwork are genuinely valued. As part of the wider Celnor Group, you’ll benefit from group-wide investment, shared expertise and opportunities to develop your career as the organisation continues to grow.
Benefits
We offer a strong benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:
- 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with long service up to 29 days
- Flexible working options following probation
- Life insurance at 3x annual salary
- Company van and fuel card, with personal use available
- Tax-free stay-away allowance and paid travel time for journeys over one hour
- Paid overtime over 40 hours, with enhanced rates for night and weekend work
- Company pension scheme
- Employee referral scheme, with payments of up to £1,000
- Company-provided IT and phone package
- Employee recognition and long-service awards
- Company-funded professional memberships and support towards Chartership
- Regular company social events throughout the year
- Ongoing training and professional development, including in-house training, The Survey School (QCF) and CICES qualifications
- Vitality health insurance, including retailer and gym discounts, cinema tickets, coffee and movie rental rewards, Headspace membership and access to a 24/7 virtual GP service
Important information
Celnor Group and its businesses manage recruitment directly. We do not require agency support for this role and will only engage with recruitment partners from our preferred supplier list where necessary.
We may use technology, including AI-enabled tools, to support parts of the recruitment process. AI is not used for candidate screening, scoring or hiring decisions. All hiring decisions are made by people, for people. Our recruitment systems are ISO 42001 accredited, reflecting our commitment to ethical, transparent and responsible use of technology.