Senior Geospatial Data Scientist - Contract

Buro Happold Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Buro Happold Limited is seeking a Senior Geospatial Data Specialist on a contract (inside IR35) to deliver on a major international programme. You will own GIS workstreams, manage datasets, perform analysis, and produce client-ready maps and dashboards.

Lead the development of automated geospatial data processing, establish data quality standards, and provide technical guidance to other GIS resources while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders across borders.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in GIS, geospatial science, data science, or computer science.
• Seven or more years of relevant GIS project delivery experience preferred.
• Strong experience delivering GIS work on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS and/or QGIS, Python and geospatial databases.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of the project’s GIS workstream.
• Manage, validate, and integrate spatial and non-spatial datasets.
• Undertake geospatial analysis and translate findings into clear insights.
• Develop automated data processing and quality-control workflows.
• Establish and maintain standards for data quality, accuracy, mapping, and metadata.
• Produce clear maps, dashboards, and other client-ready outputs.
• Coordinate GIS inputs from internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Communicate progress, risks, dependencies, and technical requirements clearly.
• Provide technical guidance and QA to other GIS resources.

Skills

ArcGIS

QGIS

Python/ArcPy/GeoPandas

SQL/PostGIS

Geospatial ETL

GIS data governance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in GIS/Geospatial/Data Science

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

PostgreSQL

MS SQL Spatial

Job description

Are you a Geospatial Data Scientist looking to grow your expertise and make a difference on projects across the world? This is a contract opportunity (inside IR35). We are seeking an experienced Senior Geospatial Data Specialist to provide immediate project delivery support on a major international programme. You will take ownership of GIS activities, working with multidisciplinary teams to manage spatial data, undertake analysis, produce high-quality outputs, and maintain effective GIS standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of the project’s GIS workstream.
• Manage, validate, and integrate spatial and non-spatial datasets.
• Undertake geospatial analysis and translate findings into clear insights.
• Develop efficient, automated data processing and quality-control workflows.
• Establish and maintain standards for data quality, accuracy, mapping, and metadata.
• Produce clear maps, dashboards, and other client-ready outputs.
• Coordinate GIS inputs from internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Communicate progress, risks, dependencies, and technical requirements clearly.
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance to other GIS resources.

Essential experience

• Strong professional experience delivering GIS work on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Advanced capability in ArcGIS and/or QGIS.
• Proficiency in Python, ArcPy, GeoPandas, Pandas and SQL.
• Experience designing and managing spatial databases, particularly PostgreSQL/PostGIS or MS SQL Spatial.
• Strong geospatial ETL skills, including automated data processing and CAD/BIM-to-GIS integration.
• Experience establishing GIS data governance, quality assurance, and mapping standards.
• Ability to explain technical issues and analytical findings to client and project stakeholders.
• Proactive, delivery-focused approach with strong problem-solving skills.

Desirable experience

• Major infrastructure, master planning, or large development programmes.
• FME, web mapping, dashboards, or digital-twin environments.
• Cloud-based geospatial solutions using Microsoft Azure or AWS.
• 3D spatial data, point clouds or LiDAR.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in GIS, geospatial science, data science, or computer science.
• Ideally seven or more years of relevant experience.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers. Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.