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Contract Geospatial Data Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Contemporaries

Data Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site

$57 - $63/hr

This long-term contract opportunity offers remote work flexibility and will focus on developing and ... Work with geospatial datasets and data formats such as NetCDF, GeoTIFF, HDF5, and other ...

Chenega MIOS

Mid Geospatial Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

Req ID: 40536 Summary Mid Geospatial Engineer Vienna, VA Are you ready to enhance your skills and ... Support data automation, migration, and database development efforts * Coordinate tasks with ...

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Contract Geospatial Data Engineer information

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$5

$46

$90

How much do contract geospatial data engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract geospatial data engineer in the United States is $46.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.82 and $57.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Geospatial Data Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Geospatial Data Engineer, you need expertise in GIS principles, spatial analysis, data modeling, and proficiency with languages like Python or SQL, typically supported by a degree in geography, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with technologies such as ESRI ArcGIS, QGIS, remote sensing platforms, and cloud-based geospatial systems, as well as certifications like GISP, is often required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you interpret complex data and collaborate across project teams. These skills ensure accurate, efficient handling of geospatial data crucial for informed decision-making in diverse industries.

What is the difference between Contract Geospatial Data Engineer vs GIS Analyst?

AspectContract Geospatial Data EngineerGIS Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in GIS, Geography, Computer Science; experience with GIS software and programmingBachelor's in Geography, GIS, or related field; proficiency in GIS tools
Work EnvironmentProject-based, technical, often remote or on-siteOffice or fieldwork, data analysis, map creation
Employer & Industry UsageTech firms, government agencies, environmental companiesUrban planning, environmental agencies, consulting firms

The Contract Geospatial Data Engineer focuses on building and maintaining GIS data systems, often requiring programming skills, while a GIS Analyst primarily analyzes spatial data and creates maps. Both roles are essential in GIS projects but differ in technical depth and responsibilities.

What are Contract Geospatial Data Engineers?

Contract Geospatial Data Engineers are professionals who specialize in managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data on a temporary or project-based contract. They use geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and data engineering tools to process location-based data for various industries such as urban planning, environmental science, or logistics. Unlike full-time employees, contract engineers typically work for a set duration or on specific projects, offering flexibility to employers and a variety of work for the engineer. Their expertise helps organizations make data-driven decisions based on spatial analysis.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract Geospatial Data Engineers when working with diverse datasets from multiple sources?

Contract Geospatial Data Engineers often encounter challenges related to data integration and quality control, as datasets can come in various formats, projections, and levels of accuracy. Ensuring compatibility and consistency across sources requires strong attention to detail and proficiency with geospatial tools such as GIS software and scripting languages. Additionally, contractors must quickly adapt to the unique workflows and expectations of different clients or teams, making effective communication and project management skills essential. These challenges are balanced by the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and expand expertise in different geospatial domains.
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Contract Geospatial Data Engineer jobs near you
Data Engineer

Data Engineer

Contemporaries

Durham, NC • On-site

$57 - $63/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Contemporaries Inc. is supporting the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in the recruitment of a Data Engineer to support environmental health and extreme weather research initiatives. This long-term contract opportunity offers remote work flexibility and will focus on developing and optimizing data infrastructure that supports scientific modeling, geospatial analytics, and computational research workflows.


Position Responsibilities:

  • Design and implement optimized database structures to support scientific modeling workflows.
  • Develop and maintain data schemas that ensure efficient querying and storage for large-scale scientific datasets.
  • Develop and enhance PTB, CHORDS, and HEW geospatial database management capabilities.
  • Work with geospatial datasets and data formats such as NetCDF, GeoTIFF, HDF5, and other environmental data standards.
  • Build, document, and maintain end-to-end model pipelines using reproducibility and version control standards.
  • Develop workflows utilizing R-based Targets and Python-based Snakemake frameworks.
  • Implement automated testing frameworks and validation protocols to ensure pipeline reliability and consistency.
  • Develop and test protocols for GPU-accelerated execution of R- and Python-based models.
  • Create documentation and best practices related to GPU resource allocation and performance monitoring.
  • Design, develop, and deploy Shiny applications for real-time data exploration and model output visualization.
  • Ensure visualization applications are user-friendly, performant, and integrated with existing data infrastructure.
  • Optimize R-based models through parallelization, vectorization, and algorithmic improvements.
  • Configure and optimize workflows within high-performance computing environments, including job scheduling and resource management.
  • Port performance-critical components to compiled languages such as C++ or Rust when appropriate.
  • Collaborate with scientific teams to provide technical guidance and support environmental health research initiatives.


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Environmental Science, or a related field.
  • Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in data engineering, software engineering, computational research support, or a related field.
  • Strong experience using the R programming language.
  • Experience designing and maintaining database structures supporting large-scale datasets.
  • Experience developing reproducible data pipelines and workflows.
  • Experience with shell scripting, including Bash.
  • Experience working in Linux-based computing environments.
  • Experience with batch job scripting and scheduling tools such as SLURM.
  • Experience developing interactive applications using Shiny.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working with geospatial or environmental datasets.
  • Familiarity with geospatial data formats such as NetCDF, GeoTIFF, and HDF5.
  • Experience using Python for workflow development or automation.
  • Experience utilizing Snakemake, Targets, or similar pipeline orchestration frameworks.
  • Experience supporting high-performance computing environments and GPU-enabled workflows.
  • Experience optimizing code through parallelization, vectorization, or compiled languages such as C++ or Rust.
  • Experience supporting environmental health, climate, or extreme weather research initiatives.
  • Experience supporting NIH, HHS, or other federally funded scientific research programs.
  • Experience contributing to technical documentation, scientific publications, or collaborative research efforts.

Company Description

Contemporaries is a government contracting firm who has been providing HR and Staff support to both federal and private organizations for over 35 years. Specializing in Administrative and related opportunities, while also working with Scientific, IT, Legal, Research, and related opportunities.