Senior Geospatial Data Scientist at Buro Happold, London/Remote, £Contract Rate

Are you a Geospatial Data Scientist looking to grow your expertise and make a difference on projects across the world?

This is a contract opportunity (inside IR35).

We are seeking an experienced Senior Geospatial Data Specialist to provide immediate project delivery support on a major international programme. You will take ownership of GIS activities, working with multidisciplinary teams to manage spatial data, undertake analysis, produce high-quality outputs, and maintain effective GIS standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of the project’s GIS workstream.
• Manage, validate, and integrate spatial and non-spatial datasets.
• Undertake geospatial analysis and translate findings into clear insights.
• Develop efficient, automated data processing and quality-control workflows.
• Establish and maintain standards for data quality, accuracy, mapping, and metadata.
• Produce clear maps, dashboards, and other client-ready outputs.
• Coordinate GIS inputs from internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Communicate progress, risks, dependencies, and technical requirements clearly.
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance to other GIS resources.

Essential experience

• Strong professional experience delivering GIS work on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Advanced capability in ArcGIS and/or QGIS.
• Proficiency in Python, ArcPy, GeoPandas, Pandas and SQL.
• Experience designing and managing spatial databases, particularly PostgreSQL/PostGIS or MS SQL Spatial.
• Strong geospatial ETL skills, including automated data processing and CAD/BIM-to-GIS integration.
• Experience establishing GIS data governance, quality assurance, and mapping standards.
• Ability to explain technical issues and analytical findings to client and project stakeholders.
• Proactive, delivery-focused approach with strong problem-solving skills.

Desirable experience

• Major infrastructure, master planning, or large development programmes.
• FME, web mapping, dashboards, or digital-twin environments.
• Cloud-based geospatial solutions using Microsoft Azure or AWS.
• 3D spatial data, point clouds or LiDAR.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in GIS, geospatial science, data science, or computer science.
• Ideally seven or more years of relevant experience.