GIS Lead - Urban Design + Masterplanning

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

AECOM's Urbanism + Planning studio is currently seeking a GIS Lead, to be based in Dubai. This role goes beyond traditional GIS—it's about using spatial data and analysis as a design tool to shape better places. You’ll lead the development of innovative geospatial solutions and visualizations that support the creation of vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments.

You’ll play a central role in the urban design and masterplanning process, using GIS to analyze complex urban systems, test land use scenarios, assess environmental and social impacts, and visualize design concepts. Collaborating closely with urban designers, planners, landscape architects, and engineers, you’ll bring a geospatial perspective to projects shaping sustainable, resilient, and people-centered places.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct advanced spatial analysis to identify opportunities and constraints that guide design decisions.
• Support scenario planning and geodesign processes, testing different urban design concepts and their impacts.
• Produce high-quality visual content for reports, presentations, exhibitions, and public consultations that integrate seamlessly with urban design graphics.
• Work hand-in-hand with urban designers to integrate spatial data into the conceptualization, design, and refinement of projects.
• Lead the GIS function within the Urban Design and Planning team, managing spatial data infrastructure, systems, and workflows.
• Utilize GIS as a design tool to inform urban design strategies, including site analysis, land use planning, public realm design, and community development projects.
• Analyze urban systems—transportation networks, open spaces, land use, mobility, socio-demographics, and environmental assets—to support the development of strategic masterplans and urban frameworks.
• Analyze urban systems—transportation networks, open spaces, land use, mobility, socio-demographics, and environmental assets—to support the development of strategic masterplans and urban frameworks.
• Establish and maintain the GIS infrastructure, workflows, and data management systems, ensuring efficient delivery of high-quality spatial outputs.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources related to GIS components of large-scale masterplanning and urban design projects.

• Degree in Geography, GIS, Urban Design, Urban Planning, Architecture, or related fields. Master’s degree is a plus.
• 12+ years of GIS experience, ideally within an urban design or multidisciplinary design practice.
• Strong understanding of urban design principles, placemaking, public realm design, and city-making processes.
• Advanced proficiency in GIS platformsand their integration with design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, SketchUp, Grasshopper).
• Experience with 3D modeling tools and urban visualization platforms is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with scripting (Python, SQL) for data analysis and automation is an advantage.
• A keen eye for design, layout, and storytelling through maps, diagrams, and data-driven visuals.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex spatial information in a clear and engaging way to diverse audiences.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.