GIS Engineer is also known as Geographic Information System Engineer is the one who makes maps and customized Geographic Information System applications. They have to collect geographical and spatial information. The maps made by GIS Engineer are useful to a number of sectors like defence, meteorology, oil, gas, telecommunications, infrastructure, environmental services and natural resource exploration etc.
GIS engineer is a kind of cartographers. This type of work involves a solid background in Computer Science and programming as you have to design various kinds of maps. Most GIS technicians work full time during typical business hours. They may work longer days when doing fieldwork.
GIS Engineer needs to hold a license for surveying issued by GIS Certification Institute (GISCI). He also works on software development and design maps and navigation system for mobile phones as well. GIS engineer on daily basis has to analyze and collect geographic data, compile data from surveys and images and has to update existing maps made by them.
Eligibility to become a GIS Engineer
Educational Qualification
The minimum qualification to become a GIS engineer is a B.Sc (Geography) or B.E (Geo-Informatics)
Age limit
There is no restriction with regard to the age of the candidate if he or she wants to be a GIS Engineer. However certain reputed colleges may set age limits to give admission to the relevant fields.
GIS Engineer Required Skills
To become a successful GIS Engineer the aspiring candidates must have following skills:
GIS Engineer should have familiarity with Ordnance Survey mapping and digitizing techniques.
- They should have numerical skills with the ability to analyze data and statistics.
- He should have great IT skills.
- GIS Engineer should have presentation skills.
- He should have the ability to work well under pressure.
- They should know how to work in a team.
- GIS Engineer should have self-motivation and a proactive attitude towards work.
How to become a GIS Engineer?
Aspiring candidates have to follow the below-given steps to become GIS Engineers:
Step 1
After passing the 10th class, the candidate should go for the non-medical stream in class 11 and 12th so as to have a detailed knowledge of Mathematics and Science. Aspiring candidates can also opt for Arts steam with Geography as one of the subjects.
Step 2
After completing 12th class from the non-medical stream, one needs to go for BE (Geo-Informatics) from some reputed Engineering Institutes like IIT's or NIT. As another option, the candidates can also go for B.Sc.(Geography) course from some reputed universities or institutes. For getting admission to some of the best Engineering Institutes in India the aspiring candidates may have to take some Engineering Entrance Exams like Joint Entrance Exam etc.
Step 3
After Graduation aspiring candidates can look for some Job in the field as Assistant GIS Engineer or go for Masters Degree courses like M.Tech (Geo-informatics) or M.Sc (Geo-informatics).
Step 4
To become an aspiring GIS engineer then the candidate needs to obtain Postsecondary Training in GIS Technology due to advanced technology in this field.
GIS Course providing institutes in India
• MDS University
• Shri Shivaji College
• Sri Krishnadevaya University
• Dept. of Geography, University of Allahabad
• Sam Higginbottom Institute Of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences (Allahabad Agriculture University)
• MNNIT Allahabad
• Bangalore University
• Alpen Associates
• Akhyansha Technology
• Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre
• Edge map Softwares [P] Ltd.
• Sunsoft Technologies Inc.
GIS Engineer Job description
GIS engineer has to create maps and applications related to navigation. Moreover, he has to update the existing maps. He has to analyze the relationship between geographic data sets in order to design different kinds of maps of different regions. He has to do a great research on GIS data and to analyze how the data can be best utilized.
Being a GIS Engineer you’ll have to work on:
- Applications development
- Information management within the public or commercial sectors
- Sales and marketing
- Spatial analysis.
GIS Engineer Career Prospects
GIS engineer is a great career option in today's scenario. He can work as GIS analyst, GIS manager, cartographer, photogrammetrist, land surveyors, serving technician, mapping technician and drafter. Job growth in GIS engineer’s field has increased from 18 to 29% in past few years. There is a drastic growth in this field.
GIS Engineer Salary
This career offers a handsome salary to its employees. The pay scale of GIS Engineer is Rs.40, 000 to Rs.50, 000 per month. With some experience and advanced certification, the professionals working in big companies/organizations can even get anything between Rs.115, 433- Rs.408, 514. In International market GIS engineer gets a salary up to $80,000 per year.
