Senior GIS Development Technician

National Highways; Manchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways in Manchester is seeking a Senior GIS Development Technician to support the creation, maintenance and continuous improvement of GIS systems and processes across the GIS and Registration team. You will back the GIS Development Manager as an SME in GIS and contribute to developing GIS solutions and services.

The role includes delivering projects, managing data quality, and supporting automated workflows, using Azure DevOps and Git.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in software and data engineering, computer science or GIS; or equivalent relevant experience.
• Expert user of Open Source and Esri geospatial services: QGIS, PostGIS and ArcGIS suite.
• Demonstrable experience delivering technical projects, system enhancements and service improvements, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards.
• Strong understanding of software development principles and practices, including testing, debugging, version control, deployment and support of applications, scripts and automated workflows, with experience using Azure DevOps (ADO) and Git to support Agile delivery.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), provide technical guidance and develop effective solutions to complex business and technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Manage, maintain and deliver the core GIS tools, applications and baseline data required by the Estates GIS team, ensuring data quality, availability and compliance with organisational standards.
• Deliver assigned projects, system enhancements and development activities to agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and standards.
• As a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in GIS, contribute to the development, testing, deployment and ongoing support of GIS applications, scripts and automated workflows, following established software development standards and best practices.
• Use Azure DevOps (ADO) to manage work items, development tasks, technical documentation and delivery activities, supporting effective planning and prioritisation within the team.
• Manage the provision of the latest epoch of vector cartographic products, ensuring the Estates team has access to reliable information required to monitor changes in the Strategic Road Network and our land portfolio.

Skills

GIS expertise

Open Source GIS

Esri ArcGIS

QGIS

PostGIS

Azure DevOps

Git

Agile delivery

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

GIS or CS degree

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

PostGIS

Azure DevOps

Git

Job description

National Highways has an exciting opportunity for a Senior GIS Development Technician to join the company in our Business Services Directorate. In this role you will be required to support and contribute to the creation, maintenance and continuous improvement of systems, applications and processes that drive efficiency across the GIS and Registration team and wider division. You will support the GIS Development Manager in managing a portfolio of system improvements, acting as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in GIS and contributing the development and support of GIS solutions and services. Please note that this is a 15 month Fixed Term Contract.

Please note this role will be based at our Manchester office. However, travel to our regional offices/ sites may be required.

• Manage, maintain and deliver the core GIS tools, applications and baseline data required by the Estates GIS team, ensuring data quality, availability and compliance with organisational standards.
• Deliver assigned projects, system enhancements and development activities to agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and standards.
• As a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in GIS, contribute to the development, testing, deployment and ongoing support of GIS applications, scripts and automated workflows, following established software development standards and best practices.
• Use Azure DevOps (ADO) to manage work items, development tasks, technical documentation and delivery activities, supporting effective planning and prioritisation within the team.
• Manage the provision of the latest epoch of vector cartographic products, ensuring the Estates team has access to reliable information required to monitor changes in the Strategic Road Network and our land portfolio.

About You:

• Professional qualification in software and data engineering, computer science or GIS; or equivalent relevant experience.
• Expert user of Open Source and Esri geospatial services: QGIS, PostGIS and ArcGIS suite, with experience managing enterprise GIS tools, applications and spatial datasets.
• Demonstrable experience delivering technical projects, system enhancements and service improvements, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards.
• Strong understanding of software development principles and practices, including testing, debugging, version control, deployment and support of applications, scripts and automated workflows, with experience using Azure DevOps (ADO) and Git to support Agile delivery.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), provide technical guidance and develop effective solutions to complex business and technical challenges.

About Us:

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Business Services plays a crucial role in supporting the efficient operation and growth of the strategic road network. We provide a wide range of essential services across the organisation, ensuring that all functions run smoothly and effectively. We work behind the scenes to support the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and services, ensuring that National Highways meets its commitments to safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Our key areas of focus include procurement, finance, human resources, IT, and strategic planning. We ensure the company operates efficiently, delivers projects on time and within budget, and meets the needs of stakeholders. By offering expert advice, managing resources, and driving operational excellence, we support National Highways in achieving its mission of maintaining and improving the road network across the country.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.