Maritime Archaeologist Project Manager

APTIM Environmental & Infrastructure LLC, a leading engineering and environmental firm with a thriving coastal engineering and resilience practice, is seeking a Maritime Archaeologist/Project Manager for our Tampa, FL office. The successful candidate will serve as a technical and regulatory lead for marine cultural resources projects, meeting or exceeding Secretary of the Interior (SOI) standards and functioning as a Qualified Maritime Archaeologist (QMA).

About the role

This is a high-impact role for an experienced professional who can step into active projects with minimal onboarding, lead cultural resources efforts independently, and produce defensible, regulator-ready deliverables. The position is primarily office-based, focused on project management, data interpretation, QA/QC, and reporting, with some offshore survey participation expected. APTIM supports offshore energy, coastal restoration, and marine infrastructure projects nationwide, requiring close integration between archaeology, marine geophysics, and engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead maritime archaeologist on projects requiring compliance with Section 106 and related federal and state regulations
• Act as or support the Qualified Maritime Archaeologist (QMA) responsible for project-specific archaeological interpretations, recommendations, and technical sign-off
• Manage maritime archaeology scopes across multiple concurrent projects, including planning, execution, budgeting, and schedule adherence
• Serve as Project Manager or technical lead and primary point of contact for clients and internal teams
• Interface directly with regulatory agencies (e.g., BOEM, SHPOs) and represent APTIM in technical discussions
• Lead the collection, review, and interpretation of marine geophysical datasets (sidescan sonar, magnetometer, sub-bottom profiler) for identification of potential cultural resources
• Direct anomaly screening, prioritization, and investigation strategies for archaeological targets
• Establish and enforce QA/QC procedures for archaeological data review, interpretation, and reporting
• Integrate geophysical data with archival research, historical context, and ground-truthing results
• Lead preparation and final QA/QC of technical deliverables, including Phase I archaeological assessments, remote sensing reports, and clearance/avoidance recommendations
• Ensure all deliverables are technically defensible, internally consistent, and regulator-ready
• Support proposal development, including technical approach, scope definition, and cost estimating
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff and contribute to the growth and development of the cultural resources team
• Provide some offshore support for critical project phases or technical oversight
• Contribute to business development and client engagement efforts
• Provide technical input for project planning and survey design

Requirements

• Master's degree (preferred) or Bachelor's degree in Maritime Archaeology, Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field
• 7+ years of relevant experience in maritime archaeology or marine cultural resources
• Meets Secretary of the Interior (SOI) Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology
• Demonstrated experience functioning as a Qualified Maritime Archaeologist (QMA) or equivalent lead role
• Proven ability to independently develop and defend archaeological interpretations and recommendations
• Extensive experience collecting, reviewing, and interpreting marine geophysical data for cultural resources identification
• Strong technical writing skills with a demonstrated record of regulator-accepted deliverables
• Experience with federal and state regulatory frameworks, including Section 106 compliance
• Experience supporting offshore energy, coastal restoration, or marine infrastructure projects
• Proven experience with geophysical survey methods and datasets (sidescan sonar, magnetometer, sub-bottom profiler, boomer)
• Proficiency with GIS platforms (e.g., ArcGIS)
• Experience preparing clearance/avoidance recommendations for offshore investigations (e.g., vibracores, borings, anchoring activities)
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of staff, equipment, and subcontracted resources
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment, both in-office and in the field, working across multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to operate independently with minimal oversight and contribute immediately to active projects
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to clients, regulators, and internal teams

About APTIM

APTIM enhances the quality of the environment, wellbeing of people, resilience of communities, and opportunities for employees to make a difference, not just a living. A leading professional solutions firm, we specialize in environmental, sustainability, resilience, and infrastructure solutions. Our team of experts provides these integrated solutions for forward-thinking government agencies, commercial and industrial clients, and energy customers. Together, we create sustainable and resilient communities for all.

Pay

As of the date of this posting, the current pay range for this position is $105K-$125K per year. Compensation depends on several factors including experience, education, key skills, geographic location of the position, client requirements, external market competitiveness, and internal equity among other employees within APTIM.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance through a benefits marketplace with multiple plan options and carriers
• Company-paid and optional life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave (eligibility based on company policy and applicable law)
• 401(k) plans with employer contributions (eligibility depends on business unit)