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 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. These roles are 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.
About The Team
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. We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work.
What you’ll be doing
* 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 issuesEnsure 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
What we’re looking for
This role is designed for early career talent, so no prior experience is required.
Essential Skills & Behaviours
* 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
Desirable
* Interest in geography, maps, or how places connect
* Awareness of Great Britain geography
* Experience with data, systems or visual tools
Tools you’ll learn
* ArcGIS (ArcMap & Pro)
* Unique OS technologies – custom built tools that streamline data management and map making processes
* Adobe, FME, SharePoint and more – a range of tools used to design and refine map visuals, transform and organise data
Learning & career progression
* Cartography and map design
* Geospatial data handling
* Data quality and consistency
* Industry tools and workflows
* Teamworking, office skills and personal development
There’s a clear opportunity to progress into a Cartographer role within an estimated 2 years, which will give you greater responsibilities, more autonomy and a wider skillset.
The Rewards
* Competitive salary and pension (OS contribute 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
Location
We have a fantastic HQ in Southampton, Hampshire. For the 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.
Closing date
Sunday 28th June 2026 at 23:59pm
Security
OS conducts pre‑employment checks for anyone offered employment, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks (via Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS)).
Skills Required For This Role
Process Improvements, Service Delivery, Stakeholder Engagement
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