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. 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.

Who we are 

We are Ordnance Survey, Great Britain’s national mapping service and a pioneer in geospatial technology. With over 230 years of trusted data, we empower better decisions, deeper understanding, and meaningful connections to the places we live, move through, and care for. 

🧭 Working with us

You’ll join a supportive team and learn from experienced colleagues. At OS we work by three principles which unite our teams to deliver our Data & Destinations strategy for each other and our customers.

We will use these principles to guide our hiring and the way we work as we strive to make our work life more enjoyable, rewarding and beneficial to all.

• Clear the path – Cut the noise. Simplify. Move at pace
• Seek the story – Listen. Understand. Speak-Up.
• Do what matters – Prioritise. Focus on Value. Be intentional.

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. Now, we’re looking for people to join us and be part of that work.

👉 And working in Cartography you’ll see the real-world impact of your work every day.

🚀 What you’ll be doing

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

Find out more here A Beginner's Guide to Map Scales | OS GetOutside

🧠 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

You’ll Receive Full Training In

• ArcGIS (ArcMap & Pro) You’ll use this to edit and update digital maps, adding real-world changes like new roads or buildings and making sure mapping data is accurate and up to date.
• Unique OS technologies: You’ll be introduced to custom-built tools that streamline our many data management and map making processes.
• Adobe, FME, SharePoint and more. You will have the chance to try out a variety of tools commonly used to design and refine map visuals, transform and organise data, and much more.

📚 Learning & career progression

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
• 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. All fully supported by OS’s focus on getting the best from their people

💡 How we hire

Our process is designed to assess potential—not just experience.

• Apply with a well structured CV plus A separate personal statement telling us why you’re a great fit for the role (max 500 words) This is your chance to tell us about you—what motivates you, why this role interests you, and any hobbies, clubs, or activities you’re involved in.
• Complete an online learnability assessment. A short task designed to understand how you think, learn, and solve problems—no prior knowledge needed.
• After shortlisting, successful candidates will be invited to our OS Cartography Experience (around 2 hours). This is an interactive and engaging session where you’ll get a feel for life at OS—seeing our fantastic office, hearing from our Cartography team about their day-to-day work, and taking part in a short interview.
• Decision!

The Rewards

We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work.

Our Benefits Include

• 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 made an offer of 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