Survey
Maps the ground and finds what is worth digging: geology, imaging and data.
Frontier work hiring now: Find the ground worth digging: geophysics and data for lithium, copper and geothermal exploration, plus drone and satellite mapping.
On Earth
On Earth this is geology, surveying, GIS, remote sensing, data science and the AI and machine-learning work that turns sensor data into decisions.
In space
Orbiters like Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter map minerals and ice from above. Survey teams decide where landers go and where water ice sits close to the surface.
Roles on our board now
Real titles from current openings that lead toward Survey work. 22 internship · 1 entry · 133 experienced
- Software Engineer (15 open)
- 2027 Summer Intern (14 open)
- AI Tutor (9 open)
- Technical Program Manager (7 open)
- Senior AI Data & Analytics Engineer II (7 open)
- Applied AI Architect (4 open)
- Senior/Staff Software Engineer (4 open)
- Staff+ Software Engineer (4 open)
Core skills
- GIS and remote sensing
- Geology basics
- Image processing
- Statistics and ML
- Writing up findings clearly
Tools you'll see
- QGIS or ArcGIS
- Python (NumPy, rasterio, PyTorch)
- USGS and NASA PDS data
- Jupyter
Earth backgrounds that transfer
- Geologists and mine geologists
- Land surveyors
- GIS analysts
- Drone mapping pilots
- Data analysts
Starting out
Geology, geophysics or computer science with remote sensing work. Public Mars data from the PDS makes a strong student project.
Changing careers
Survey and GIS skills transfer directly. Data people can show a project on real Mars orbital images to stand out.
Academy track
The Survey Track: Geology, Geophysics, Mapping and Core track is open: 4 modules and a final test, free for crew members.
Survey ranks
Ranks reflect Mars Mining Academy progress. They are not job titles and do not mean employment. Everyone starts at Field Asst the moment they join and pick Survey. Ranks are worked out from the quizzes you pass, the certificates you earn and the projects you finish. You can't set them yourself.
Field Asst MM-R1
Join the department. Everyone starts here.
Survey Tech MM-R2
Pass 2 module quizzes in this department's track and fill in your resume basics: name, contact and target role, education and training, professional experience and skills.
Geologist MM-R3
Pass every module quiz in this department's track and finish early life, the work-style interview, passions and at least one portfolio item. Lateral transfer opens here.
Sector Foreman MM-R4
Earn the track certificate and finish a solo real-world project, submitted and reviewed. Coming: projects aren't open yet.
Chief Geo MM-R5
Finish a team project with other crew members. Coming: projects aren't open yet.
Survey Director MM-R6
Lead a team project and pass the capstone. Coming: projects aren't open yet.
Transfers
You serve in one department at a time and start at Field Asst (R1). Once you reach R3 in your department you can put in for a lateral transfer. You start at R1 in the new department, and every rank you earned before stays on your service record, which shows on your dashboard and your certificate verify page.
Before R3 you stay put. The one exception: if you picked wrong, you can change once in your first 7 days.
You can hold top rank in every department. That takes years, because the higher ranks need real-world projects and team work, not just quizzes.
Is this you?
- Maps and images make you curious
- You like finding the signal in noisy data
- You will happily spend a day on one rock layer
If you nodded at two or more, Survey is worth a look. Not sure? Take the quiz.