Senior GIS Specialist

AECOM is seeking a Senior GIS Specialist to be based in South Africa's Enterprise Capabilities office in Centurion. This position will support a team locally based in South Africa and Global Teams. As a part of AECOM's culture, it offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement which accommodates both office and out-of-office work schedules.

About Enterprise Capabilities

Fundamental to our Think and Act Globally strategy and digital adoption, Enterprise Capabilities (EC) is AECOM’s primary vehicle for workshare. Operating across geographic boundaries and time-zones, EC partners with regional and Global Business Line project teams to provide technical expertise, accelerate delivery and keep AECOM competitive in the industry.

With a team of over 3000 technical professionals located across nine countries and remote technical anchors, EC teams are trusted to deliver high-quality, specialist services that help to fill capability gaps, resourcing needs and technical constraints on projects of all scopes and sizes.

Start here. Grow here.

Here is what you will be doing:

As a Senior GIS Specialist, you will apply your expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial data management, spatial analysis and geospatial technologies to support a diverse portfolio of projects across the design, engineering and construction industry.

Working across business lines like Environmental, Transportation, Water, and Buildings & Places, you will provide technical GIS support throughout the project lifecycle, from project setup and data acquisition through to analysis, design support, visualisation, final delivery and quality management.

Leveraging the Esri technology stack across desktop, enterprise, web and mobile environments, together with ETL and data interoperability tools, such as FME, you will lead the development of high-quality geospatial data and solutions that support technical design, planning, decision-making and project delivery.

Working closely with Project Managers, GIS Leads, engineers, environmental specialists, planners, designers and other technical disciplines, you will translate project requirements into practical geospatial solutions and contribute to successful project delivery.

Experience working on projects outside South Africa would be advantageous.

This position will be based in Centurion, South Africa, with a hybrid working arrangement.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Implementation

• Design and maintain project-specific spatial databases and geodatabases, ensuring data integrity and appropriate schema design.
• Perform advanced spatial analysis to support project planning, design and decision-making, including suitability, spatial, network, proximity, terrain and multi-criteria analyses.
• Produce high-quality maps, spatial data products, web maps, applications and dashboards for internal and external clients.
• Develop web-based GIS solutions using ArcGIS Online/Enterprise, ArcGIS Experience Builder and ArcGIS Dashboards as well as field support tools ie. ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123
• Integrate GIS with other project technologies, including CAD, BIM, engineering design systems, APIs and field data platforms.

Automation & Workflow Efficiency

• Identify opportunities to automate GIS processes and improve project delivery efficiency.
• Develop automation scripts and tools using FME, Python/ArcPy, ModelBuilder and other appropriate technologies.
• Use Arcade and other configuration and scripting languages to enhance GIS applications and workflows.

Data Management, Quality & Governance

• Establish and maintain GIS data management, metadata and documentation standards.
• Ensure the quality, accuracy and consistency of spatial datasets and project deliverables.
• Undertake GIS QA/QC and support technical quality reviews in accordance with internal and client requirements.

Collaboration & Consulting

• Translate project and client requirements into practical GIS solutions, technical approaches and delivery plans.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to other GIS team members.
• Contribute to the development of GIS capabilities, standards, workflows and best practices across the business.

Experience supporting projects within one or more of the following sectors is highly desirable:

• Environmental: Environmental Impact Assessments, environmental planning, permitting, ecological assessments, natural resources, climate resilience, renewable energy and environmental constraints analysis.
• Transportation: Roads, rail, airports, public transport, transport planning, network analysis, corridor studies, route selection and transportation infrastructure.
• Water: Water resources, water and wastewater infrastructure, stormwater, catchment analysis, flood risk, pipelines and hydraulic infrastructure.
• Buildings & Places: Master planning, urban development, property, precinct planning, infrastructure planning, site analysis and multidisciplinary building projects.
• Other infrastructure and engineering sectors: Mining, energy, utilities, oil & gas, telecommunications, data centres and other major infrastructure projects.
• Experience across multiple sectors and within international project environments is advantageous.

Technical Skills & Technology

Essential

• ArcGIS Pro
• ArcGIS Online and/or ArcGIS Enterprise
• Spatial analysis and geoprocessing
• Geodatabase design and management
• GIS data management and QA/QC
• Map production and spatial visualisation
• 3D GIS, visualisation and viewshed analysis
• Remote sensing, LiDAR and raster analysis

Desirable

• FME Form and/or FME Flow and other ETL technologies
• Python / ArcPy and ModelBuilder
• Arcade
• SQL and relational databases
• ArcGIS Experience Builder / Web Experience and Dashboards
• ArcGIS Survey123 and Field Maps
• Integration of GIS with CAD/BIM environments
• APIs and web services
• Cloud and enterprise GIS architectures
• Open-source geospatial technologies such as QGIS, GeoPandas and GDAL
• Spatial databases such as PostgreSQL/PostGIS
• Data visualisation and business intelligence technologies, such as PowerBI or Tableau
• Experience with CAD eg. AutoCAD 2D, AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or MicroStation software

Here is what we are looking for:

• Degree in GIS, Geomatics, Geography, Surveying, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Urban and Regional Planning or a related discipline.
• 6+ years of professional GIS experience, preferably within an engineering, design, construction or environmental consultancy. Ability to independently manage and deliver technical GIS work packages with limited supervision.
• Strong understanding of GIS principles, spatial data management, coordinate reference systems and spatial analysis.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate technical requirements into practical GIS solutions.
• Proficiency in English, both written and verbal.

At AECOM, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.