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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for GIS Engineer

💰 $75,000 - $130,000

EngineeringTechnologyData ScienceGeospatialInformation Technology

🎯 Role Definition

A GIS Engineer serves as the technical backbone of an organization's geospatial capabilities, bridging the gap between geographic information science and software engineering. This role is responsible for the entire lifecycle of spatial data and its supporting infrastructure, from database design and data pipeline automation to the development of custom web mapping applications and analytical tools. More than just a map-maker, the GIS Engineer architects and builds robust, scalable systems that enable advanced spatial analysis, data visualization, and location-based intelligence across the enterprise. They are the problem-solvers who ensure that location data is not only accurate and accessible but also fully integrated into business workflows to drive efficiency and innovation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • GIS Analyst
  • GIS Technician
  • Junior Software Developer (with GIS specialization)

Advancement To:

  • Senior GIS Engineer
  • Geospatial Data Architect
  • Geospatial Team Lead or Engineering Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Data Engineer
  • Solutions Engineer (Geospatial)
  • Product Manager (Geospatial Products)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, develop, and maintain robust, scalable enterprise geodatabases (e.g., PostGIS, Esri SDE, SQL Server Spatial) for storing and managing vast quantities of vector and raster data.
  • Architect and administer the full ArcGIS Enterprise suite, including Server, Portal, and Data Store, ensuring system health, performance, and high availability.
  • Develop, deploy, and maintain custom web-based mapping applications and dashboards using modern JavaScript frameworks (like React or Angular) and mapping libraries (e.g., Esri's ArcGIS API for JavaScript, Mapbox GL JS, Leaflet).
  • Automate complex and repetitive geoprocessing tasks and data ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) workflows using Python scripting, leveraging libraries such as ArcPy, GDAL, Pandas, and GeoPandas.
  • Create and publish a variety of web services (Map, Feature, Geoprocessing, Geocoding) and REST APIs to provide access to geospatial data and functionality for other enterprise systems.
  • Perform advanced, computationally intensive spatial analyses, including network analysis, suitability modeling, and spatio-temporal statistics, to derive actionable intelligence from geographic data.
  • Integrate diverse data sources, including real-time IoT feeds, GPS tracking data, aerial imagery, and third-party APIs, into a unified geospatial platform.
  • Manage the entire lifecycle of geospatial data, from acquisition and processing to the creation of standardized metadata (FGDC/ISO) and implementation of archival strategies.
  • Design and implement data quality control procedures to ensure the positional and attribute accuracy, completeness, and integrity of all geospatial data assets.
  • Provide expert-level technical support and troubleshooting for end-users on GIS software, custom applications, and data-related issues, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
  • Develop custom tools, add-ins, and widgets for desktop GIS software (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) to extend native functionality and streamline specialized workflows for analysts.
  • Conduct performance tuning of spatial databases by optimizing queries, indexing spatial columns, and configuring database parameters to ensure rapid data retrieval.
  • Collaborate with DevOps teams to containerize GIS applications and services using Docker and orchestrate their deployment in cloud environments with tools like Kubernetes.
  • Implement and manage security protocols for sensitive geospatial data, including configuring user roles, access permissions, and authentication within the GIS ecosystem.
  • Stay abreast of the latest industry trends, evaluating and recommending new geospatial technologies, software, and methodologies to drive continuous improvement.
  • Build and maintain data pipelines to process, clean, and transform raw remote sensing and satellite imagery into analysis-ready data products.

Secondary Functions

  • Support internal teams with ad-hoc spatial queries, data extraction, and exploratory analysis to answer specific business questions.
  • Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for GIS systems, data models, APIs, and automated workflows to facilitate knowledge sharing and future development.
  • Act as a technical liaison, collaborating with project managers and business units to translate complex business needs into detailed geospatial engineering requirements and technical specifications.
  • Actively participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, to ensure timely delivery of GIS projects.
  • Contribute to the broader organizational data strategy by advocating for the inclusion and proper governance of geospatial data assets.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Enterprise GIS Platforms: Deep expertise in the administration and architecture of the Esri ArcGIS Enterprise stack (Server, Portal, Data Store) or equivalent open-source solutions (GeoServer, QGIS Server).
  • Spatial Databases: Strong proficiency in designing and managing spatial databases like PostgreSQL/PostGIS, SQL Server Spatial, or Oracle Spatial, including performance tuning and advanced SQL.
  • GIS Programming & Scripting: Mastery of Python for automation and analysis, particularly with libraries such as ArcPy, GDAL/OGR, GeoPandas, and Shapely.
  • Web Development: Proficiency in front-end and back-end web development, including JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, and experience with mapping libraries (ArcGIS API for JavaScript, Leaflet, Mapbox) and frameworks (React, Flask, Django).
  • GIS Desktop Software: Advanced skills in ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS for data editing, complex analysis, and high-quality cartographic production.
  • Cloud Computing: Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), including deploying GIS servers on cloud infrastructure and using cloud-native location services.
  • Data Pipelines & ETL: Proven ability to design and implement robust ETL processes for geospatial data using tools like FME, Python, or other data integration platforms.
  • Spatial Analysis & Modeling: Strong understanding of core spatial statistics, raster analysis, network analysis, and geoprocessing concepts.
  • Version Control Systems: Competency in using Git and platforms like GitHub or GitLab for code management and collaborative development.
  • Containerization: Familiarity with Docker for containerizing applications and a basic understanding of orchestration with Kubernetes.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical Problem-Solving: The ability to deconstruct complex spatial problems, identify technical challenges, and architect effective, scalable solutions.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain highly technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and document work clearly.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A proactive and cooperative attitude, with a proven ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams of analysts, developers, and project managers.
  • Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to data quality, code accuracy, and system configuration, ensuring the reliability of all outputs.
  • Adaptability & Continuous Learning: A strong desire to stay current with the rapidly evolving field of geospatial technology and a willingness to learn and apply new tools and techniques.
  • Project Management: Solid organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, prioritize work effectively, and meet deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

A Master's degree or advanced certification in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Geographic Information Science (GIS)
  • Computer Science
  • Geomatics Engineering
  • Geography
  • Data Science
  • Environmental Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of hands-on experience in a GIS development, engineering, or administration role.

Preferred: Demonstrable experience architecting and managing enterprise-level GIS systems, building production-grade web mapping applications from the ground up, and automating complex data workflows in a cloud or hybrid environment. A portfolio of projects (e.g., via GitHub) is highly valued.

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