GIS Cartographer

SYSTRA; Montreal; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Montreal is seeking a GIS Specialist to support the ALTO high-speed rail project. The candidate will produce thematic maps and work with multidisciplinary teams to enhance transportation infrastructure. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is essential, along with 1-3 years of experience in GIS and cartography. Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and bilingual communication in French and English are required. Join a diverse team committed to sustainable solutions in the railway industry.

Benefits

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of professional experience in cartographic production or GIS mapping.
• Experience with transportation/infrastructure projects is an asset.
• Ability to create and maintain symbology libraries and templates.

Responsibilities

• Produce thematic and analytical maps using ArcGIS Pro.
• Collaborate with engineers and planners to translate requirements into maps.
• Manage quality control of map outputs before publication.

Skills

Strong proficiency in ArcGIS Pro

Communication skills in French and English

Attention to detail

Graphic sensibility

Education

Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Cartography, GIS, or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

SYSTRA Canada is part of the SYSTRA group, an international consulting and engineering group, a world leader in the design of transport infrastructures.SYSTRA Canada is an engineering and consulting firm whose primary focus is to offer transportation solutions, whether for passengers or goods: feasibility studies of building a new railway line, increasing the capacity of the existing infrastructure, privatization of a railway.

Context

Join SYSTRA Canada in shaping the future of Canada with this impressive ALTO high-speed rail project connecting Quebec City to Toronto, the largest infrastructure project in Canada in generations.

The ALTO high-speed rail project aims to improve the quality of life of our citizens, strengthen ties between communities, and stimulate economic growth.

Are you convinced that a more sustainable world is possible and that mobility is an integral part of thinking about the future of our planet? Come aboard with SYSTRA Canada and be part of the project that will revolutionize the railway industry in Canada!

Missions/Main Duties

As part of the GIS team supporting the ALTO project, you will produce high-quality thematic maps and visual deliverables that support consultation, analysis and decision-making for major transportation infrastructure projects. The role emphasizes strong cartographic design, symbology and template creation, bilingual communication (French/English), and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. You will work primarily in ArcGIS Pro, accessing data via ArcGIS Enterprise.

• Design and produce thematic and analytical maps (e.g., consultation maps, corridor analyses, environmental & infrastructure layers) using ArcGIS Pro.
• Create, maintain, and apply consistent symbology libraries, map templates, layout standards, and graphic representation rules tailored to different audiences (internal teams, clients, public consultation).
• Access and organise spatial data in the project’s ArcGIS Enterprise environment. Retrieve data from different sources (CAD, GIS, tabular, remote sensing) and convert / format as needed for cartographic production.
• Work closely with GIS analysts, engineers, planners, and other stakeholders to understand their requirements, translate them into clear map products, and ensure the maps meet both technical and visual standards.
• Ensure map accuracy, readability, and usability by applying cartographic design principles (colour, typography, hierarchy, readability).
• Perform basic spatial data processing, format conversion (e.g., CAD to shapefile/geodatabase), coordinate system conversion, and georeferencing as needed.
• Manage quality control of map outputs: check legend, scale, projection, symbology, layout, and metadata before publication.
• Support publishing of finalized map products to the portal (via ArcGIS Enterprise) and ensure users can access and interact with the maps when required.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of cartographic best practices, GIS technology trends, and software capabilities; contribute to continuous improvement of mapping workflows.
• Publish finalized map products through ArcGIS Enterprise and contribute to interactive web applications using Experience Builder and ArcGIS Dashboards.

Profile/Skills

Education : Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Cartography, GIS, Geomatics, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Years of experience : 1-3 years of professional experience in cartographic production, GIS mapping, or thematic map creation (experience in transportation/infrastructure projects is an asset).

• Strong proficiency in ArcGIS Pro for map creation, layout design, symbology, and visualization.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS Enterprise / ArcGIS Online for accessing data, sharing layers, and collaborating across teams.
• Demonstrable ability to create and maintain symbology libraries, templates, and map layouts suited to different audiences.
• Experience sourcing data from multiple formats (CAD, GIS, tabular, remote sensing) and converting/formatting data for cartographic use.
• Excellent graphic sensibility: understanding colour theory, typography, map readability, and visual hierarchy.
• Experience using QGIS, Adobe Illustrator, or similar graphic design software for map refinement. (asset)
• Experience in infrastructure/transportation mapping, corridor mapping, or thematic mapping for public consultation. (asset)
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, both in French and in English*

*Reasons for requiring bilingualism: You will have the opportunity to work with a varied clientele, including both French- and English-speaking companies. Bilingualism is therefore fundamental to building strong relationships with our customers, understanding their specific needs, communicating effectively in their preferred language and facilitating strategic meetings.

Personal and soft skills :

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: able to liaise with technical teams, understand their needs, and deliver map products accordingly.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to work under deadlines, and manage multiple tasks concurrently.

SYSTRA Canada is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. SYSTRA Canada has an equal access employment program and encourages women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, and people with disabilities to apply.

Note: In this description, the masculine gender is used for easy reading purposes and includes the feminine.