Principal GIS Consultant — GeoAI & Spatial Intelligence

WSP; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Thrive wellbeing programme

My Hour flexibility

Training & Chartership

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Principal Geospatial Consultant to lead GeoAI initiatives, developing production‑grade Python workflows and geospatial data pipelines. You will deploy AI across infrastructure and land projects, mentor junior staff, and shape the GeoAI approach within the practice. Strong Python, ArcGIS, and Esri experience are essential.

The role offers hybrid working across the UK with opportunities to influence major infrastructure schemes and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Proven GIS experience with Python automation and GIS outputs.
• Experience applying AI/ML to geospatial problems (object detection, classification).
• Strong knowledge of Esri platforms and data management.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop GeoAI solutions using Esri tools and open‑source frameworks.
• Write production‑grade Python toolboxes and data pipelines for ArcGIS environments.
• Integrate deep learning frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow) into geospatial workflows.
• Lead GeoAI project workstreams in utilities, land ownership, and environmental modelling.
• Collaborate with managers to scope, estimate, and assure GIS/GeoAI deliverables.
• Provide technical assurance and peer review for GeoAI outputs.

Skills

Python development

ArcPy

ArcGIS API for Python

geopandas

shapely

rasterio

GDAL

AI/ML for geospatial

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Hugging Face

FME

SQL

Esri platforms

Education

BSc or MSc in GIS/Geography/CS

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Enterprise

File or SDE geodatabases

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role…

As a Principal Geospatial Consultant with WSP, you’ll support multi-disciplinary projects within the Geospatial team as part of the Transformation & Digital Insights service line, with a particular focus on supporting complex infrastructure and land projects. Reporting to an Associate / Associate Director and collaborating with GIS, Geospatial, Data Science Data Engineering, AI and Technical Specialist teams, you’ll help the team grow both personally and technically to maintain top-tier client service.

As a Principal Geospatial Consultant specialising in GeoAI and Spatial Intelligence, you will sit at the intersection of GIS engineering and applied artificial intelligence—designing, building, and deploying advanced geospatial solutions across infrastructure, utilities, land and property, water, and environmental sectors.

This is a hands‑on technical role. You will develop production‑grade Python workflows, design and optimise spatial data pipelines, and integrate AI and machine learning frameworks into GIS environments to deliver scalable, data‑driven insights. You will act as a subject matter expert for both internal teams and clients, translating emerging GeoAI capabilities into practical, real‑world applications.

You will play a key role in shaping our GeoAI approach within the practice—defining methodologies, driving innovation, and embedding automation and intelligence across project delivery. Alongside this, you will mentor and support junior colleagues, fostering technical excellence and helping to grow our geospatial capability in line with market demand.

Join WSP at a time of growth and transformation, where you will play a key role in delivering geospatial solutions across major infrastructure schemes, supporting projects across sectors such as land management, property and planning, energy and transportation.

Strong technical skills in Esri platforms, scripting (preferably Python), FME, SQL, data management, and data science workflows along with a proactive, resilient mindset and exceptional problem‑solving abilities are required. The ideal candidate will have a customer focused mindset to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop GeoAI solutions—including object detection, feature extraction, change detection, and predictive spatial modelling—using both Esri tools and open‑source AI frameworks.
• Write production‑grade Python toolboxes, automation scripts, and spatial data pipelines for ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, and SDE environments.
• Integrate deep learning frameworks (e.g. PyTorch or TensorFlow) and ML libraries (such as scikit‑learn or Hugging Face) into geospatial workflows to solve client‑specific problems at scale.
• Lead technical delivery on GeoAI project workstreams across utilities network analysis, land ownership and registry data, and water / environmental constraint modelling.
• Collaborating with project managers and sector leads to scope, estimate, and quality‑assure GIS and GeoAI deliverables.
• Provide technical assurance and peer review of GeoAI and GIS outputs to ensure quality, robustness, and compliance with agreed standards.
• Produce clear technical documentation and methodology reports, and present findings to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Mentor and support junior GIS analysts and developers, reviewing code and promoting best practices in spatial data science.
• Stay current with Esri platform releases, emerging GeoAI tools, and relevant academic or industry research, contributing to internal capability development.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Strong professional experience in GIS, with a clear focus on Python development and automation.
• Strong Python skills: ArcPy, ArcGIS API for Python, geopandas, shapely, rasterio, GDAL.
• Practical experience applying AI/ML to geospatial problems (e.g. object detection, image classification, feature extraction, or spatial prediction).
• Working knowledge of at least one deep learning framework (PyTorch or TensorFlow).
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, and File or SDE geodatabases.
• Ability to communicate technical outputs clearly to non‑GIS audiences.
• Degree (BSc or MSc) in GIS, Geography, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

#AVY1

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work‑life balance

• At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It's important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

• We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

• We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

• To enhance work‑life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

• We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.