A geomatic engineer creates and maintains locational data collection systems. These systems are critical for a variety of applications, including car navigation systems and scientific surveys. This field, which incorporates a number of disciplines such as surveying, mathematics, and geology, offers advanced degrees. Government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations that engage in activities such as spatial surveying and design have job openings.
Physical maps that provide navigational information, as well as other types of map-based data, are built on the foundation of location data. Maps can convey a variety of information, including geological, demographic, and meteorological information. Geomatic engineers can create systems for collecting and storing location data. These systems may communicate with Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems and other data-recording reference points.
Using such systems may be required as part of the job. For example, a geomatic engineer might be part of an oil and gas exploration team. The engineer’s responsibilities would include gathering location data, marking relevant data, and ensuring that all material of interest is recorded on a detailed map that provides context for a survey location. Other engineers can join survey teams to help prepare home sites, collect data for scientific studies, and work on other location-based research and development projects. In order to provide reliable and useful information, this necessitates an understanding of not only spatial relations and location data, but also the discipline in which the data will be used.
Depending on the type of work a geomatic engineer does, the work environment can be diverse. Some are primarily employed in laboratories to work on system design. Others spend more time in the field as part of ongoing studies, testing equipment and collecting data. It is frequently necessary to be able to work as part of a team. Other engineers, designers, biologists, and other researchers who want to be able to use and manipulate location data may be part of such teams.
The amount of education required to work as a geomatic engineer varies. Higher education can lead to more job opportunities, such as research and academic positions. A four-year degree may be sufficient for activities such as surveying oil and gas sites. When considering a career as a geomatic engineer, it’s a good idea to look at the qualifications of people who work in the industry to get a better idea of what might be expected of job candidates.