Assistant Cartographer

Assistant Cartographer

Full Time | £26,451.00 | OSHQ Southampton

Start your career building the maps millions rely on every day

We are excited to share that we have an amazing career opportunity for people to join Ordnance Survey and our brilliant Cartography team.

Cartography is the art and science of creating maps—transforming real‑world information into clear, accurate visuals that help people understand and navigate the world around them.

Every day, people rely on our maps to:

• Explore the outdoors
• Deliver goods
• Plan cities
• Respond to emergencies

As an Assistant Cartographer, you’ll help create and maintain the data behind those maps—supporting how the UK navigates, plans, and functions. This role is ideal for people at an early stage in their career who are looking to build skills in a professional environment.

No previous cartography experience? That is absolutely fine.

We’re interested in your potential, curiosity, and willingness to learn.

Our Cartography team is behind the updates that keep OS maps accurate and reliable. We work to bring real‑world changes into our many products, supporting the world‑renowned mapping millions rely on.

From day one you’ll work with real mapping data and contribute to products used across the UK. You’ll:

• Edit and maintain geospatial datasets using agreed specifications
• Update maps with real‑world changes (roads, buildings, landscapes)
• Apply cartographic techniques and generalisation methods
• Identify and resolve data quality issues
• Ensure mapping data is accurate, consistent, and usable
• Collaborate with colleagues to deliver updates
• Work to defined quality standards and timescales
• Maintain accurate records of your work
• Support the use of new tools and technologies

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to spot and communicate data issues
• Problem‑solving and logical thinking
• Comfortable with technology (or keen to learn)
• Ability to work as part of multiple teams
• Good organisation and time management
• Willingness to learn and improve

• Interest in geography, maps, or how places connect
• Awareness of Great Britain geography
• Experience with data, systems, or visual tools

You’ll receive full training in:

• ArcGIS (Arc Map & Pro)
  You’ll use this to edit and update digital maps, adding real‑world changes like new roads or buildings and ensuring mapping data is accurate and up to date.
• Unique OS Technologies
  —custom‑built tools that streamline our data management and map making processes.
• Adobe, FME, Share Point and more—tools commonly used to design and refine map visuals, transform and organise data, and much more.

You’ll receive structured, on‑the‑job training and develop skills in:

• Cartography and map design
• Geospatial data handling
• Data quality and consistency
• Industry tools and workflows
• Teamwork, office skills and personal development

There’s a clear opportunity to progress into a Cartographer role within an estimated 2 years, giving you greater responsibilities, more autonomy and a wider skillset, fully supported by OS’s focus on getting the best from their people.

Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary and pension (OS contributed up to 12.07%)
• Performance‑related bonus where applicable
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Free subscription to OS Maps and access to wellbeing support
• Volunteering leave and matched fundraising
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring
• Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave

We have a fantastic HQ in Southampton, Hampshire. For initial onboarding and early training you will be required to attend in person for the full 5 days. Following that OS can accommodate Hybrid Working where you will be required to spend a minimum of 50% of your working hours in person.