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Spatial Data Science Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Varsity Tutors

High School Geography Tutor

Kalamazoo, MI · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of physical geography, human geography, map reading and spatial analysis, climate ... Guides students through reading topographic and thematic maps, analyzing population data and ...

Varsity Tutors

High School Geography Tutor

Ann Arbor, MI · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of physical geography, human geography, map reading and spatial analysis, climate ... Guides students through reading topographic and thematic maps, analyzing population data and ...

Varsity Tutors

High School Geography Tutor

Detroit, MI · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of physical geography, human geography, map reading and spatial analysis, climate ... Guides students through reading topographic and thematic maps, analyzing population data and ...

University of Michigan

RESEARCH FELLOW

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

... spatial transcriptomics, neurophysiology, and advanced computational approaches. The lab is ... data analysis. Desired Qualifications* * Highly productive and goal-oriented with strong scientific ...

Trilon Group

... provide spatial and graphical interpretation of environmental analytical data, including but not ... chemistry or environmental science. * Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and/or ArcGIS Desktop.

Trilon Group

G.I.S.

Houghton, MI

Provide spatial and graphical interpretation of environmental analytical data, including but not ... chemistry, or environmental science * Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and/or ArcGIS Desktop

University of Michigan

RESEARCH FELLOW

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

... your scientific interests, and your specific reasons for applying to this lab, and contact ... Our work spans method development, data generation (snRNA-seq, snATAC-seq, MPRA, spatial omics ...

University of Michigan

RESEARCH FELLOW

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

... and spatial transcriptomics, ATAC-seq) and quantitative imaging (including confocal microscopy ... Analyze and interpret data using appropriate computational/statistical approaches; maintain ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsSpatial Data Science JobsSpatial Data Science Jobs in Michigan

Spatial Data Science information

See Michigan salary details

$38.8K

$113.1K

$154.7K

How much do spatial data science jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for spatial data science in Michigan is $113,060.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,800.00 and $119,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is spatial data science?

Spatial data science is a field that combines data science techniques with geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze and interpret spatial or location-based data. It involves collecting, processing, and visualizing data that has a geographic or spatial component, such as maps, satellite images, or GPS coordinates. Spatial data scientists use methods from statistics, machine learning, and computer science to solve problems related to urban planning, environmental monitoring, transportation, and more. The insights gained from spatial data science help organizations make better decisions based on the relationships and patterns found in geographic data.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Spatial Data Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Spatial Data Scientist, you need a strong background in statistics, geospatial analysis, and programming (often with Python or R), typically supported by a degree in geography, computer science, or a related field. Proficiency with GIS software (such as ArcGIS or QGIS), spatial databases (like PostGIS), and relevant certifications (e.g., Esri Technical Certification) is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills to interpret spatial data and convey insights to stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for extracting actionable insights from complex geospatial datasets and supporting informed decision-making.

What GIS jobs pay the most?

Senior GIS analyst, GIS manager, and geospatial data scientist roles tend to offer the highest salaries in the GIS field, often exceeding $80,000 to $100,000 annually depending on experience, location, and industry. These positions typically require advanced skills in GIS software, programming, and data analysis, with certifications like GISP enhancing earning potential.

What is the difference between Spatial Data Science vs Geospatial Analyst?

AspectSpatial Data ScienceGeospatial Analyst
Required CredentialsDegree in GIS, Geography, Data Science, or related fields; often includes certifications in GIS or data analysisDegree in Geography, GIS, or related fields; certifications in GIS software are common
Work EnvironmentData analysis, modeling, and programming; often in tech or research settingsMapping, data visualization, and GIS software use; typically in government, environmental, or urban planning agencies
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research institutions, urban planning, environmental agenciesGovernment agencies, environmental consultancies, urban planning firms

Spatial Data Science focuses on analyzing spatial data using advanced data science techniques, programming, and modeling. In contrast, Geospatial Analysts primarily work with GIS software to create maps and visualize spatial data. While both roles require GIS knowledge, Spatial Data Scientists often have stronger programming and statistical skills, working on complex data analysis projects, whereas Geospatial Analysts focus more on mapping and data visualization tasks.

Can data scientists make $300k?

Data scientists, including those specializing in spatial data science, can earn $300,000 or more at senior levels or in high-demand industries, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in machine learning, and proficiency in tools like Python or R. Achieving this salary often requires working in large companies, consulting roles, or locations with high living costs, and may involve additional responsibilities or leadership positions.

What does a spatial data scientist do?

A spatial data scientist analyzes geographic data to identify patterns, trends, and relationships using tools like GIS software and programming languages such as Python or R. They develop models, visualize spatial information, and support decision-making in fields like urban planning, environmental management, or logistics.

Is GIS a high demand job?

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) professionals, including those in spatial data science, are in high demand across industries such as urban planning, environmental management, and transportation. The increasing use of spatial analysis, remote sensing, and GIS tools like ArcGIS and QGIS contributes to strong job growth and opportunities for skilled workers.

What are some typical challenges spatial data scientists face when integrating geospatial data from multiple sources?

Spatial data scientists often encounter challenges like inconsistencies in data formats, varying coordinate reference systems, and differences in spatial resolution when integrating geospatial data from multiple sources. Addressing these requires familiarity with data transformation tools and a strong understanding of spatial data standards. Additionally, ensuring data quality and managing large datasets can be complex, so attention to detail and effective use of GIS software are crucial for successful integration.
What are popular job titles related to Spatial Data Science jobs in Michigan? For Spatial Data Science jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Spatial Data Science jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Spatial Data Science jobs in Michigan are:
Spatial Data Science jobs near you
Back-end Software Development Engineer

Back-end Software Development Engineer

FastTek

Dearborn, MI

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Back-end Software Development Engineer #1058857
Job Description:
  • Employees in this job function are responsible for designing, building, and operating high-throughput backend systems that ingest, process, and serve large volumes of telematics data from connected vehicle fleets.
  • They work at the intersection of distributed systems, data engineering, and API development — delivering reliable, low-latency services that power fleet intelligence products for commercial and enterprise customers.
  • Design and develop scalable, high-performance backend services and APIs that process and expose telematics data — including GPS, trip events, driver behavior, vehicle diagnostics, and sensor telemetry — at fleet scale
  • Build and maintain real-time and batch data pipelines that ingest high-volume vehicle event streams from messaging systems (e.g., Pub/Sub, Kafka) into data warehouses and operational stores

Skills Required:
GCP, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems, API
  • GCP - Experience deploying and managing services on Google Cloud Platform, including Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, IAM, and Cloud Functions. For example, designing and implementing a cloud-native application architecture using GKE (Google Kubernetes Engine) with Cloud SQL and Pub/Sub.
  • Big Data - Experience working with large-scale data processing frameworks such as Apache Spark, Dataflow, or BigQuery. For example, building ETL pipelines that process terabytes of daily event data and transform it for downstream analytics.
  • Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems - Experience developing or integrating AI/ML models and rule-based expert systems. For example, building a classification model using Vertex AI to predict customer churn, or implementing a rule engine that automates underwriting decisions.
  • API - Experience designing, building, and consuming RESTful or gRPC APIs. For example, developing a versioned REST API with OAuth 2.0 authentication that serves as the integration layer between a mobile application and backend microservices.

Skills Preferred:
Google Cloud Platform
  • Google Cloud Platform - Familiarity with advanced GCP services beyond core compute and storage, such as Vertex AI, Dataflow, Cloud Composer (Airflow), and BigQuery ML. For example, using Cloud Composer to orchestrate scheduled data pipelines that feed into a BigQuery data warehouse.

Experience Required:
  • Senior Engineer Exp: Prac. In 2 coding lang. or adv. Prac. in 1 lang.; guides.
  • 7+ years in IT
  • 5+ years in development

Experience Preferred:
  • Languages: Kotlin, Java, Python, or equivalent JVM/backend language
  • Frameworks: Spring Boot, gRPC, REST API design
  • Data: BigQuery, PostgreSQL, Redis, Bigtable, Kafka or Pub/Sub
  • Infrastructure: GCP (or equivalent), Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines
  • Practices: TDD, MLOps-adjacent data pipeline patterns, database performance tuning, API versioning

Education Required:
  • Bachelor's Degree

Education Preferred:
  • Certification Program

Additional Information:
  • Architect and optimize data access layers across heterogeneous storage systems — including relational databases (PostgreSQL, Cloud SQL), columnar warehouses (BigQuery), in-memory caches (Redis), and wide-column stores (Bigtable) — selecting the appropriate store for each access pattern
  • Collaborate with data engineers and analysts to design stored procedures, views, and query patterns in analytical databases that meet strict latency and throughput SLAs for reporting endpoints
  • Implement data aggregation, transformation, and enrichment logic — including time-series rollups, geo-spatial calculations, and unit/timezone conversions — to produce accurate, consistent reporting outputs
  • Build and enforce data contracts and schema evolution strategies to ensure backward compatibility and stability across upstream producers and downstream
  • API consumers Integrate backend services with cloud-native infrastructure (GCP, AWS, or Azure) including event-driven architectures, scheduled jobs, serverless functions, and container orchestration platforms (Kubernetes/GKE)
  • Instrument services with observability tooling — structured logging, distributed tracing, and metrics — and participate in on-call rotations to maintain high availability and reliability targets (SLO/SLA)
  • Apply security best practices including authorization scoping (e.g., segment- or fleet-scoped data access), secrets management, and data privacy controls in compliance with automotive and enterprise data regulations
  • Partner with product, data science, and platform teams in an agile delivery model — contributing to technical design reviews, code reviews, and architectural decisions for new capabilities on the telematics platform

Additional Info:
At FastTek Global, Our Purpose is Our People and Our Planet. We come to work each day and are reminded we are helping people find their success stories. Also, Doing the right thing is our mantra. We act responsibly, give back to the communities we serve and have a little fun along the way.
We have been doing this with pride, dedication and plain, old-fashioned hard work for 24 years!
FastTek Global is financially strong, privately held company that is 100% consultant and client focused.
We've differentiated ourselves by being fast, flexible, creative and honest. Throw out everything you've heard, seen, or felt about every other IT Consulting company. We do unique things and we do them for Fortune 10, Fortune 500, and technology start-up companies.
Our benefits are second to none and thanks to our flexible benefit options you can choose the benefits you need or want, options include:
  • Medical and Dental (FastTek pays majority of the medical program)
  • Vision
  • Personal Time Off (PTO) Program
  • Long Term Disability (100% paid)
  • Life Insurance (100% paid)
  • 401(k) with immediate vesting and 3% (of salary) dollar-for-dollar match

Plus, we have a lucrative employee referral program and an employee recognition culture.
FastTek Global was named one of the Top Work Places in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023!
To view all of our open positions go to: https://www.fasttek.com/fastswitch/findwork
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fasttekglobal
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fasttekglobal
Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fasttek
You can become a fan of FastTek on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasttekglobal/
AI & Hiring Disclosure
We use AI tools to support parts of our hiring process, such as reviewing applications and identifying potential matches. These tools are designed to promote efficiency, consistency, and fairness, and they are always used under human oversight.
All personal data collected is used solely for recruitment purposes, and you have the right to know, access, or request deletion of your data at any time, subject to legal limits.
If AI will be used in a video interview, you'll be informed in advance and asked for your consent, with the option to opt out.
Our tools are regularly reviewed to detect potential bias and to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and our commitment to inclusive hiring.
To learn more or exercise your rights, please contact us at info@fasttek.com.