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Senior Geospatial Data Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Geospatial Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

$104K - $144K/yr

Req ID: 40535 Summary Senior Geospatial Engineer Vienna, VA Are you ready to enhance your skills ... Support data automation, migration, and database development efforts * Coordinate tasks with ...

Senior Geospatial Engineer

Vienna, VA

$104K - $144K/yr

Summary Senior Geospatial Engineer Vienna, VA Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your ... Support data automation, migration, and database development efforts * Coordinate tasks with ...

This role requires a deep understanding of geospatial data, strong analytical skills, and the ... Familiarity with programming languages (e.g., Python, R) for geospatial analysis and automation

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Senior Geospatial Data Engineer information

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$81K

$126.3K

$175K

How much do senior geospatial data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior geospatial data engineer in the United States is $126,328.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Senior Geospatial Data Engineer, you need advanced expertise in geospatial analysis, spatial databases, and programming languages like Python or SQL, often backed by a degree in GIS, computer science, or related fields. Familiarity with GIS platforms (such as ArcGIS or QGIS), cloud computing services, and big data frameworks is typically required, along with relevant certifications in GIS or cloud technologies. Strong problem-solving, communication, and project leadership skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are essential for designing and implementing scalable geospatial solutions that accurately support decision-making and organizational goals.

What is the difference between Senior Geospatial Data Engineer vs Geospatial Data Analyst?

AspectSenior Geospatial Data EngineerGeospatial Data Analyst
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in GIS, Computer Science, or related field; experience with GIS software and programmingBachelor's or Master's in Geography, GIS, or related field; proficiency in GIS tools and data analysis
Work EnvironmentData engineering teams, GIS departments, tech companies, government agenciesResearch teams, GIS departments, consulting firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageTech firms, environmental agencies, urban planning, transportationResearch institutions, government agencies, consulting firms

The Senior Geospatial Data Engineer focuses on building and maintaining geospatial data infrastructure, pipelines, and systems, often requiring programming and data engineering skills. In contrast, the Geospatial Data Analyst primarily interprets and visualizes geospatial data to support decision-making. Both roles require GIS knowledge but differ in technical depth and focus areas.

What are some typical challenges a Senior Geospatial Data Engineer faces when integrating diverse data sources?

One common challenge is ensuring data compatibility and consistency across various formats, such as raster, vector, and tabular data, which often originate from different providers or systems. Senior Geospatial Data Engineers must address issues like differing coordinate reference systems, data quality, and incomplete metadata. Collaborating closely with data scientists, GIS analysts, and software developers is crucial to develop robust pipelines and resolve integration issues efficiently. Staying updated with evolving geospatial technologies and standards also plays a key role in overcoming these challenges.

What is a Senior Geospatial Data Engineer?

A Senior Geospatial Data Engineer is a specialized data professional who designs, develops, and maintains systems that process and analyze spatial or geographic data. They work with large geospatial datasets, build data pipelines, and develop scalable solutions for mapping, location intelligence, and spatial analytics. These engineers often collaborate with data scientists, GIS specialists, and software developers to integrate geospatial data into applications and decision-making processes. Their expertise includes working with GIS software, spatial databases, and cloud-based geospatial tools. Senior-level engineers typically also mentor junior staff and help set technical direction for geospatial projects.
What cities are hiring for Senior Geospatial Data Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Geospatial Data Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Geospatial Data Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Geospatial Data Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Geospatial Data Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Geospatial Data Engineer jobs include:
Geospatial Data Engineer II

Geospatial Data Engineer II

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 103 rated laboratories


Job description

Requisition Id 16691
Overview:
The Geospatial Science and Human Security Division (GSHSD) is currently seeking world-class research and development professionals for the National Security Sciences Directorate within Oak Ridge National Lab. The geospatial data engineer will support the development of next generation data strategies that will support and deploy operational situational awareness products for sponsors across the Federal Government. We're looking for staff who bring fresh ideas from areas including information retrieval, distributed computing and storage, and data processing workflows. We need our staff to be flexible and be enthusiastic to take on problems across the organization as we continue to solve complex global scale problems in the areas associated with spatial computing.
The Geospatial Data Engineer will focus on the implementation of scalable data storage and processing solutions for high-volume and high-velocity data applications. The proposed solutions will include distributed computing that can be applicable for several geospatially focused research and development projects in the domains of energy, transportation, and other cross-disciplinary geospatial applications. The geospatial data engineer works with research scientists across the lab with the primary goal of researching and developing cutting edge solutions to complex problems posed by sponsors including DoD and DOE leveraging the lab's world-class resources.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • R&D: assist in conducting research and development to support project-specific applications.
  • Data Development: working alongside researchers to develop and deploy geospatial data storage and processing solutions.
  • Requirements Decomposition: working alongside researchers and project sponsors to capture, understand, integrate, and implement project requirements in developed system architectures and software.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: collaborating with a highly diverse and multidisciplinary team - from photogrammetrists, geographers, mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, and engineers - in research, development, integration, testing, and deployment.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Requires an B.S. or M.S. in the field of Geography, Data Science, Computer Science, or related fields with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
  • Experience with programming languages such as SQL, Python
  • Experience with Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to a scientific audience
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to changing needs
  • Demonstrated ability to present technical results to technical communities.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong commitment to a team environment

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or similar container platforms/concepts.
  • Experience with s3, parquet, Duckdb, zarr and related software and technologies is a plus
  • At least 2 years of experience working with geospatial data and processing workflows and assessing data sources for fit-for-purpose.
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative and frequently interacting teams of researchers.
  • Experience with software and data governance best practices including, but not limited to: Agile development; version control using Git/GitFlow or similar system; data retention life-cycles, and project management via systems like JIRA, Asana, etc.
  • Utilize open-source and commercial tools and approaches to solve complex problems including information retrieval/extraction, machine learning/deep learning, and networking

Special Requirements:
  • Export control, no clearance: This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:
For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
Relocation:
Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.
For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the "About" tab at jobs.ornl.gov.
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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