Geospatial Subject Matter Expert

Socket.dev; Suitland (MD); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Essnova Solutions, Inc. seeks an experienced Geospatial Subject Matter Expert (Geo SME) to lead geospatial architecture and modernization for GeoTAM initiatives supporting Census programs.

The role demands senior authority across geospatial systems, data management, and operations, with emphasis on MAF/TIGER and address data management. You will collaborate with program leadership, architects, developers, data scientists, and government stakeholders to ensure successful Census geospatial

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience supporting large-scale federal geospatial programs.
• Geospatial systems engineering, GIS architecture, geospatial databases, and spatial data management expertise.
• Experience with national-scale geospatial datasets (addresses, boundaries, roads, reference layers).
• Experience with Esri ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Pro, Enterprise geodatabases, Oracle Spatial, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, and comparable technologies.
• Leadership in geospatial modernization, cloud migration, or application transformation initiatives.
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary teams within federal IT environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise for Census geospatial programs including MAF/TIGER and address data management.
• Guide modernization of geospatial applications and services using cloud-native and open-source technologies.
• Support development and execution of geospatial architecture, engineering, and modernization roadmaps.
• Advise on enterprise geospatial data governance, quality, and standards.
• Lead requirements analysis and systems engineering for geospatial systems and apps.
• Support integration of geospatial data with Census programs and operations.
• Provide technical leadership for GIS, spatial databases, and geospatial analytics.
• Participate in architecture reviews, solution design, risk management, and stakeholder engagements.
• Mentor technical teams on Census standards and emerging geospatial tech.

Skills

Geospatial systems engineering

GIS architecture

Geospatial databases

Spatial data management

Cloud-native technologies

Open-source technologies

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring teams

Tools

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Pro

Enterprise geodatabases

Oracle Spatial

PostgreSQL/PostGIS

Other enterprise geospatial tech

Job description

Geospatial Subject Matter Expert (Geo SME)

Location: Suitland, MD (Hybrid)
Labor Category: Systems Engineer – SME (GeoTAM)
Position Type: Key Personnel

About Essnova Solutions

Essnova Solutions, Inc. is a technology and professional services company supporting federal government customers across complex IT, engineering, data, cybersecurity, and mission-support environments. We partner with government organizations to deliver innovative, scalable solutions that modernize critical systems, strengthen operations, and support mission success.

Essnova is seeking an experienced Geospatial Subject Matter Expert (Geo SME) to support the U.S. Census Bureau’s Geospatial Transformation and Application Modernization (GeoTAM) initiatives.

Position Overview

The Geospatial SME will serve as a senior geospatial authority providing strategic and technical leadership across geospatial architecture, MAF/TIGER modernization, address and geographic data management, geospatial application modernization, systems engineering, and geospatial operations.

This position will support geospatial capabilities critical to the Decennial Census, American Community Survey (ACS), and other Census Bureau programs. The Geo SME will collaborate with program leadership, architects, developers, data scientists, technical teams, and government stakeholders to support successful execution of Census geospatial modernization efforts.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise for Census geospatial programs, including MAF/TIGER, address data management, geocoding, boundary management, and spatial data integration.
• Guide modernization of geospatial applications and services using cloud-native and open-source technologies.
• Support the development and execution of geospatial architecture, engineering, and modernization roadmaps.
• Advise on enterprise geospatial data governance, topology management, data quality, and data standards.
• Lead requirements analysis and systems engineering activities for geospatial systems and applications.
• Support integration of geospatial data with Census operational and statistical programs.
• Provide technical leadership for GIS, spatial databases, geospatial analytics, and geospatial application development initiatives.
• Participate in architecture reviews, solution design, risk management, modernization planning, and stakeholder engagements.
• Support geospatial data management involving large, national-scale databases containing addresses, roads, boundaries, cartographic features, and geographic reference data.
• Mentor technical teams and provide guidance on industry best practices, Census standards, and emerging geospatial technologies.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience supporting large-scale federal geospatial, GIS, or geographic information programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in geospatial systems engineering, GIS architecture, geospatial databases, and spatial data management.
• Experience supporting national-scale geospatial datasets involving addresses, boundaries, roads, and geographic reference layers.
• Experience with technologies such as:
• Esri ArcGIS Enterprise
• ArcGIS Pro
• Enterprise geodatabases
• Oracle Spatial
• PostgreSQL/PostGIS
• Comparable enterprise geospatial technologies
• Experience leading geospatial modernization, cloud migration, or application transformation initiatives.
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary teams within federal IT environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Highly Desired Experience

Direct Decennial Census Program experience, particularly supporting one or more of the following:

• 2010 Census
• 2020 Census
• 2030 Census preparations
• Decennial operational systems
• MAF/TIGER modernization
• Address canvassing
• Geographic support systems
• Field operations support
• Geocoding and geographic processing activities

Desired Census Bureau Experience

Experience supporting U.S. Census Bureau programs or organizations such as:

• MAF/TIGER
• Geography Division programs
• American Community Survey (ACS)
• Economic Census
• Demographic Surveys
• Geographic Partnership Programs
• Geographic Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with topology data models and address standardization.
• Experience supporting federal geospatial modernization programs.
• Experience with geospatial data governance and data-quality initiatives.
• GISP, Esri, cloud, or systems engineering certifications.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Essnova Solutions, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Essnova is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants.