GIS Specialist

Want to work with the most sought-after minds and most talked-about projects? Your experience of GIS in Engineering Consultancy might just make you our new GIS Specialist.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

Your next role

Buro Happld has a clear strategic plan, strong learning culture and entrepreneurial mindset that will allow you to thrive.

You’ll be part of something bigger than us all where sustainability, equity, social and performance outcomes matter. All of Buro Happold is committed to doing the right thing, even when that’s the hardest thing. This is a genuine opportunity to make impact - and leave real legacy.

Your key duties

Buro Happold is seeking an experienced and highly skilled GIS Specialist.

The GIS Specialist will be a full-time, on-site member of the Tuwaiq Reserve Project Core Team, including Buro Happold (BH) and the Client. The primary purpose of this role is to provide dedicated support to both the Buro Happold Core Team and the Client's Planning Team by enhancing their understanding of the site through advanced GIS analysis and spatial data management. The specialist will play a key role in supporting the Tuwaiq Reserve Planning Team's efforts to make informed planning decisions and contribute to the successful delivery of the project’s objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the GIS Lead for the Tuwaiq Reserve Project located in Riyadh, acting as the primary geospatial subject matter expert (SME) for the project team.
• Provide strategic guidance and insights on all GIS and spatial data-related matters, acting as the key point of contact between the Client and the Buro Happold (BH) Core Team.
• Contribute to geospatial innovation and development by leveraging the latest technologies and methodologies to support project goals.
• Perform a variety of advanced spatial analyses to derive critical insights and inform decision-making for the project.
• Develop, implement, and optimise workflows and models to streamline geospatial work processes.
• Oversee the management of spatial data, including data acquisition, storage, maintenance, and dissemination, to ensure data integrity and accessibility throughout the project lifecycle.
• Utilise GIS tools to accurately digitise spatial data from various sources, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Support the project's data analysis and mapping needs, creating high-quality visualizations

Your skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in GIS, Computer Science, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Significant years of experience in GIS role, preferably within large-scale environmental or urban planning projects.

Project Experience:

• Proven track record in delivering major GIS projects and tasks, particularly in the areas of planning, environment, mobility, and infrastructure.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting spatial analysis for various applications, including but not limited to site suitability assessments and environmental impact studies, with a specific focus on topographic impacts.

Technical Skill:

• Advanced knowledge of ESRI, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, AutoCAD, and FME analysis software and related tools, including spatial analysis, data management, and cartography.
• Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL for GIS automation and data analysis.
• Experience in handling large geospatial datasets, data cleaning, and integration from multiple sources.
• Strong skills and experience in managing databases, ideally with SQL Server or PostgreSQL, including handling a variety of spatial data formats.
• Experience creating web mapping solutions using ESRI or open-source technologies
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex spatial data and derive actionable insights.
• BENEFICIAL ONLY: Ability to innovate and expand capabilities in digital twin and virtual reality technologies, leveraging GIS data to create immersive, interactive digital models and environments

Soft Skills:

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in data management and analysis.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders effectively.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, while also managing individual tasks independently.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify innovative solutions and overcome challenges

The Project

The Tuwaiq Reserve is an expansive 3,300km² project nestled in the Arabian Peninsula’s heart, adjacent to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Reserve’s stunning desert landscapes, valleys, and rock formations make it a favoured destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, offering hiking, camping, rock climbing, and birdwatching opportunities. As Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision focuses on tourism and environmental conservation, the reserve aligns with these goals, aiming to become a prominent eco-tourism spot.

The reserve also boasts a variety of flora and fauna species representative of the Arabian Peninsula. It encompasses areas of high conservation importance, such as the Hima Huraymila National Park and Wadi Al-Haysiyah. Additionally, the Tuwaiq Reserve is also home to historical sites that offer a glimpse into the region’s past, adding a cultural and heritage dimension to its allure. Balancing ecological preservation with tourism development remains a challenge, driving ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility, visitor experiences, and environmental protection.

Several peri-urban settlements also exist within the Tuwaiq boundary the biggest and most dense of which are concentrated in its eastern region. These settlements, with the exception of Al Uyaynah, are relatively small in size. Al Uyaynah stands as the largest village within the reserve, housing a population of approximately 40,000 residents.

What we offer you

• Bring your knowledge and expertise to one of the world’s most respected consultancies.
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Attractive salary and benefits package
• A strong commitment to your continuous development. Whatever stage in your career, we have a learning and development programme that will enable and empower you
• Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
• An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won’t be far from the exceptional.

At Buro Happold, everyone else’s extraordinary is just our everyday. Apply today and be a part of our legacy.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing difference allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments, we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [email protected] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.