Surveyors at Bath Iron Works share why they’re passionate about their role in shipbuilding and excited about what the future holds.
“The shipyard is an opportunity to be involved with surveying but also go home to family every night. It’s a unique job that’s very rewarding.”
—Rick Adams, Manager of Accuracy and Control, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
The shipbuilding industry, a cornerstone of maritime and defense sectors, offers a unique and rewarding career path for surveyors. As the backbone of precision and accuracy in ship construction, surveyors play a crucial role in ensuring the structural integrity and operational readiness of vessels. At General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) based in Maine, a leading shipbuilder for the U.S. Navy, surveyors are integral to the entire shipbuilding process—and they’re in high-demand.
“Not a lot of people know what we do,” says Rick Adams, manager of Accuracy and Control for BIW. “It’s a great opportunity to be involved in a unique and very rewarding surveying job.”
The Role of a Surveyor in Shipbuilding
Surveyors at Bath Iron Works are tasked with a variety of responsibilities that ensure the precise alignment and construction of ships. “We are a crucial part of the whole process of making sure that everything is going to be aligned when we integrate various units,” Adams explained in a recent podcast interview, “as well as all the different systems that we’re a part of throughout the process.”
A typical day for a BIW surveyor involves working in dynamic and often challenging environments. Surveyors start their shifts early, planning their tasks and coordinating with various teams, including shipfitters, machinists, and engineers. They may work on tasks ranging from flat panel layouts to complex combat system alignments. The work requires a deep understanding of XYZ coordinate systems and the ability to manage tolerances throughout the build process, ensuring that each stage of construction meets the stringent specifications required by the Navy.
“We touch every part of the whole shipbuilding process, providing valuable information and ensuring that each stage of construction meets the required tolerances,” says Rick Grover, section manager of accuracy and control.
Benefits of a Surveying Career in Shipbuilding
One of the significant advantages of a career in shipbuilding is the balance it offers between professional and personal life. “The biggest aspect of it is I can be home every night,” says Adams. “I know my set hours, and there’s a lot of overtime potential, but it’s all optional.” This stability allows surveyors to stay close to their friends and family while pursuing a fulfilling career.
For those who like to travel, the role offers opportunities both within the country and overseas for ship servicing and upgrades. Surveyors at BIW take pride in their contributions to national defense, with the rewarding experience of seeing a completed ship set sail, knowing they played a part in its construction.
“When we deliver a ship to the Navy, we often watch the sailors come aboard,” says Grover. “And when you see the ship push off and start to sail away, it’s a pretty neat feeling just that you played a part in constructing that ship that’s going to help protect the country and our families and people all over the world.”
Technology in Shipbuilding Surveying
The ability to work with leading-edge surveying technology is another advantage of a shipbuilding career. At BIW, surveyors use a streamlined, digital workflow with an emphasis on accuracy and transparency. The company relies on technology partners such as Maine Technical Source based in Yarmouth, Maine, to provide expert guidance and support in surveying technology such as total stations and laser scanners, and Hexagon for laser trackers and metrology software.
“With the implementation of laser trackers, laser scanning, and new software suites, we’re able to collect much more data and provide a much more complete picture of whatever it is that we’re trying to install, erect, or align out on the ship,” Grover explains. These technologies enhance data accuracy and efficiency, allowing surveyors to support operations effectively.
Looking to the future, surveyors at BIW are excited about the potential of artificial intelligence and automation. These advancements promise to further streamline workflows, improve precision, and enable single-person survey crews, thereby increasing overall productivity.
Training and Upskilling Opportunities
Continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies is crucial for surveyors. BIW places a strong emphasis on training and upskilling its workforce. The company collaborates with vendors to provide initial training on new equipment and software. Additionally, hands-on training and mentorship from experienced surveyors help newer team members get up to speed quickly.
“We’ve come a long way recently with developing more structured training programs so that we can get less experienced surveyors up to speed,” says Tim McCormick, a surveyor at BIW. This structured approach ensures that all surveyors are well-equipped to handle the latest technological advancements and maintain high standards of accuracy and control.
Career Growth and Development
BIW offers numerous opportunities for career advancement. Surveyors can develop their technical skills and take on leadership roles, mentoring new team members and contributing to the continuous improvement of the shipbuilding process.
The company also values the input and problem-solving abilities of its surveyors. “We’re really looking for individuals who are self-starters, who want to learn, and have a good attitude,” says Adams. “And we can help get them up to speed.”
Challenges and Rewards of a Shipyard in Maine
Working at BIW presents some unique challenges. Surveyors must manage tolerances in a constantly changing work environment. They have to navigate dynamic construction sites with multiple teams working simultaneously, ensuring that each stage of the build process adheres to strict specifications. There are also time constraints. “We are often under the gun by operations to get the data collected, processed and returned as fast as possible,” says Grover. “We have to hit critical milestones.”
Despite these challenges, the rewards are significant. Surveyors at BIW take pride in their contributions to building some of the most advanced surface combatants in the world. The sense of accomplishment when a ship is delivered to the Navy and sets sail is unparalleled.
And then there’s the location. “Maine offers a lot of opportunities for people who enjoy the outdoors,” says Adams. “I love spending time with friends and family, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, all of that. So being at BIW gives me an opportunity to enjoy all the natural beauty that Maine has to offer.”
McCormick agrees, then adds: “It’s been a great start to my career, and I enjoy every second of the work we do here.”
To learn more about BIW and career opportunities, visit https://gdbiw.com/.
To talk to one of our experts and learn more about how to optimize your surveying potential with technology, please contact us.
