Subsurface Operations Lead

About the role

A new, well-capitalised subsurface utility engineering business on the Sunshine Coast is looking for an Operations Lead to run premium, design-phase investigations across South East Queensland. The role is field-based and lets you build the technical standards, QA framework, team and client relationships from the ground up, with a defined pathway to General Manager after the first year.

Key responsibilities

• Lead premium field delivery: combined EM locating, GPR investigation and survey-grade pickup to AS 5488 quality levels.
• Develop QA, safety, reporting and data-management processes so high-quality delivery is repeatable.
• Oversee engineering-grade outputs such as asset location reports, attributed GIS data and 12d-ready 3D strings.
• Recruit, train and quality-assure field locators, then shift progressively into leadership as they become productive.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director on scopes and pricing, and represent the technical capability in client meetings, site walkovers and scoping sessions.

Required profile

• CERTLOC certification, or certification in progress with theory passed.
• Proven GPR and electromagnetic locating capability across AS 5488 quality levels.
• Confidence to set standards, train others and manage stakeholders while staying hands-on during the build phase.
• Current driver's licence, construction white card and clean safety record; any post-employment restraints must be confirmed before starting.

What we offer

• Salary of $140,000 plus super, vehicle and phone.
• Annual performance bonus of up to 15% against agreed KPIs.
• A defined progression to General Manager after the first year.