Geomatics Engineer

Geomatics engineers use terrestrial, marine, airborne and satellite sensors to gather data and develop information systems suitable for land use planning and landscape analysis. For example, they may acquire and integrate data for:

• spatial referencing networks for environmental monitoring
• deformation analysis
• legal boundary delineation
• precise engineering surveys, scientific studies and topographic mapping
• real time and post-mission data acquisition in support of positioning and navigation
• the development and implementation of Geographic Information Systems and GIS software applications.

Geomatics engineers use measurement related technologies such as:

• geospatial information systems
• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
• Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)
• airborne (manned and unmanned) and space borne photography
• ground based and airborne laser scanning systems (LIDAR)
• multispectral data collection and analysis
• industrial metrology
• computer hardware, software and firmware and related data acquisition system interfacing
• electronic distance, angle and height measurement and calibration
• digital cartography and GIS.

The data collected is made available either in the form of digital data repositories, conventional maps, GIS or attributed co-ordinate lists.

Geomatics engineers may specialize in areas such as the following.

Geodetic engineers are global surveyors involved in:

• establishing a global net of reference points by satellite and other extraterrestrial positioning methods
• designing and developing real time geospatial information systems
• determining the geoid (the basic reference surface for heights) from gravity and satellite altimetric measurements
• monitoring movement in the earth's crust and measuring variations in the shape and gravity field of the Earth
• establishing positions and water levels on the sea using satellite and radio positioning methods.

Land surveyors plan, direct and conduct legal surveys to determine and interpret the location of boundaries, contours and other natural or human-made features (for more information, see the Land Surveyor occupational profile).

Navigation and positioning engineers:

• develop and use navigation systems (for example, GNSS, INS) for positioning, navigating, guiding and controlling air, land and sea vehicles
• design and write custom software to integrate various hardware systems
• develop user interfaces for navigation and guidance systems.

Photogrammetric and remote sensing engineers:

• use terrestrial, airborne and space borne photography and other digital remote sensing techniques (for example ground based or airborne laser scanning systems) to collect information about specific features of the Earth
• direct the overall planning and development of mapping projects
• determine aerial photographic and remote sensing requirements and the type of acquisition and plotting equipment to be used
• determine the aerial photography and remote sensing techniques and computer software needed to meet the required standards of accuracy
• generate maps based on the information collected.

Geographic information systems engineers:

• organize different types of position related information into consistent databases
• develop software and analysis tools for using this information in urban planning and management, resource exploration, environmental management and land use studies.

Geomatics engineers may work in offices and laboratories or in the field, often in remote areas. Survey technicians usually do the required field work for land surveyors. Experienced engineers generally spend more time in office environments.

In the field, geomatics engineers may be required to lift equipment weighing up to 20 kilograms.

Geomatics engineers need the following characteristics:

• mathematical ability
• the ability to analyze spatial problems and measurements
• the ability to think logically and solve problems
• good communication skills
• good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

They should enjoy being innovative, doing work that requires precision, making decisions and supervising people, and having variety in their work.

Geomatics engineers work for:

• geomatics, survey or mapping firms
• positioning and navigation companies
• engineering and other high-tech companies
• building or defence contractors
• petroleum and mining companies
• remote sensing companies
• geographic information companies and software developers
• computer graphics companies
• public utilities
• municipal, provincial and federal departments.

Experienced geomatics engineers may become supervisors or administrators. Opportunities for advancement are particularly good for experienced geomatics engineers who have a sound technical background coupled with managerial skills.

Geomatics engineers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2131: Civil Engineers. In Alberta, 83% of people employed as civil engineers work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)
• Construction (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca

Geomatics Industry Association of Canada (GIAC) website: www.giac.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.