Innsbruck

Jobs in

Innsbruck

in the area of planning & geography jobs

As an alpine capital with a university and natural hazards research, Innsbruck offers unique career opportunities for geo-specialists in mountain regions.

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Innsbruck
Federal state:
tyrol
Population:
132,000
Known for:
University of Innsbruck, Alpine Research, Olympic City
Economy:
Tourism, Research & Development, Services
Quality of life:
Highest quality of life, mountains right outside the door, sports & nature

Working and living in Innsbruck: Your career in Austria's alpine tech city for geoinformatics and spatial planning

An overview of the city

Innsbruck — the state capital of Tyrol with around 132,500 inhabitants — is a vibrant university town in the heart of the Alps with a unique mix of alpine charm and technological innovation. As a two-time Olympic city (1976, 2012) and gateway to the Tyrolean Alps, Innsbruck offers an exceptional quality of life. But behind the tourist splendor lies a dynamic job market: Innsbruck is a center for geoinformatics and GIS technology, with global corporations such as VertiGIS. As a place of work, Innsbruck impresses with a strong university, modern city administration and a culture of innovation. For specialists in the geospatial, planning and environmental sectors, Innsbruck is an attractive market with growing job opportunities, combined with an unparalleled alpine quality of life — no other German-language job market for GIS and spatial planning offers this mix.

Labor market for geoinformatics, spatial planning and environmental occupations

The job market in Innsbruck offers surprisingly good and growing prospects for specialists in the geospatial, planning and environmental sectors. With the University of Innsbruck as a research hotspot, a modern city administration and leading GIS companies such as VertiGIS, Innsbruck has developed into a regional center for geoinformatics and spatial data processing.

Geoinformatics & GIS — VertiGIS as a global player

Innsbruck is home to VertiGIS GmbH, one of the leading European GIS software companies with over 1,000 employees worldwide. VertiGIS develops software solutions for asset management, spatial data collection and web GIS applications — based at Wilhelm-Greil-Straße 17, the company is the largest tech employer in the city. GIS Jobs Innsbruck are constantly being created at VertiGIS: GIS consultants, geoinformatics specialists, GIS developers and data engineers work on international projects using Esri technology. Geoinformatics Innsbruck job offers at VertiGIS offer attractive conditions and development opportunities. In addition, the city of Innsbruck itself uses a modern GeoHub system — career opportunities in the urban GIS sector arise regularly.

Spatial planning & urban planning

The city of Innsbruck is planning ambitiously: sustainable district development, alpine-friendly mobility and climate adaptation are central topics. The Office for Urban Planning, Urban Development and Integration and specialized planning offices offer job opportunities for spatial planning Innsbruck for city planners, spatial planners and traffic planners. Vacancies are being created in the areas of land use planning, district development and mobility research. Alpine topography requires specialized planning skills — specialists with experience in mountain town planning are particularly in demand.

Surveying & City Surveying

The Office of Urban Surveying and Statistics operates a modern survey and geoinformation system, including the urban natural status map and technical surveys. Surveyors and geomatists find secure job opportunities in the public sector here. Innsbruck Surveying Vacancies are regularly created for modern surveying technology and GIS administration.

Environment, hydropower & nature conservation

Tyrol is a land of hydropower — TIWAG-Tiroler Wasserkraft AG based in Thaur (near Innsbruck) offers environmental jobs in Innsbruck and hydraulic engineering positions for waterworks engineers, hydrologists and environmental engineers. The city of Innsbruck itself has ambitious climate goals: The Climate Protection Office and Environment Agency generate job opportunities in the areas of sustainability management, biodiversity and climate adaptation. The proximity to the Alps and sensitive ecosystems makes environmental professionals particularly valuable.

Research & University

The University of Innsbruck is an engine for geoinformatics jobs: The Institute of Geography with its Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing working group employs scientists, doctoral students and assistants. With a focus on alpine research (remote sensing, 3D surveying, natural hazards), the university offers unique job opportunities in research and teaching for geographers and geoinformatics specialists.

Quality of life and infrastructure

Living in Innsbruck — alpine town for young professionals

Living in Innsbruck is more expensive than the Austrian average, but cheaper than Munich or Zurich. Rents are in the upper middle range; purchase prices for condominiums have almost doubled in ten years. Popular districts include the old town for an urban atmosphere, Wilten with academic flair (near the university), Hötting as an artists' quarter and Mariahilf as family-friendly. The housing market is tight, but the range of modern new buildings is growing. For young professionals: Good new construction projects (e.g. in the Hörtwag district), affordable shared apartment options and an increasing range of co-living spaces.

Transport connections & mobility — European hub

Innsbruck's transport connections are excellent: Direct rail connections to Vienna (10h), Munich (2h), Zurich (3h) and Italy allow flexible commuting. Innsbruck Airport offers European connections; Salzburg and Munich can be reached quickly. Public transport is excellent: trams, buses and the new tram line 5 connect all parts of the city. For commuters: The Tyrol tariff system allows cheap monthly and annual tickets. Cycling is a tradition — the “Stadtrad Innsbruck” bike sharing system (830,000 rentals 2024!) and developed cycle paths make Innsbruck a cycling city. By car: Autobahn A13 and federal roads allow quick access and exit.

Leisure & relaxation — alpine outdoor paradise

Innsbruck's work-life balance is unbeatable: The Alps start right on the doorstep — skiing in winter (Stubai Glacier 45 min, Ötztal 1h), mountaineering, climbing and hiking in summer are weekend standards. The alpine zoo and the giant circular paintings in the panorama are cultural tips. Cultural: Classic Tyrolean theatre, the festival house for concerts, museums on art history and Tyrolean culture. Lake bathing at nearby Walchsee and Ötztal. For families: excellent schools, parks, playgrounds and child-friendly mountain huts. Innsbruck is regularly listed among the top 10 most livable cities in Germany — with unparalleled proximity to nature combined with urban infrastructure.

career prospects

The University of Innsbruck: Research hotspot for alpine geoinformatics

The University of Innsbruck is one of Austria's leading research universities and offers world-class teaching and research with the Department of Geography and the Faculty of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. The institute researches intensively in geoinformatics, remote sensing, process modelling and alpine geomorphology. With bachelor's degree programs in geography (with intensive geoinformatics education) and master's programs such as “Geography: Global Change — Regional Sustainability”, the institute trains the next generation of geoinformatics professionals.

Career opportunities: Research assistant positions, doctoral positions (with funding up to 30h/week), postdocs and lecturers arise regularly. The university cooperates closely with VertiGIS, the city administration and regional stakeholders — practical experience is guaranteed.

VertiGIS: Think globally, develop locally

VertiGIS is an international GIS software group with global significance — and its roots lie in Innsbruck (founded in 1995 as SynerGIS). With branches in Vienna, Bonn and Munich, Innsbruck remains a development and consulting center. For GIS specialists, VertiGIS is a springboard: internationally recognized technology (ESRI-based), customer projects across Europe, continuing education opportunities and home office options. The company recently fully integrated the Austrian subsidiary SynerGIS GIS & FM Solutions — new jobs are constantly being created.

Future trends & job prospects

Innsbruck is benefiting from several mega trends:

  • GIS boom: VertiGIS is growing globally and is constantly looking for skilled workers
  • Alpine digitization: Alpine regions invest in geodata infrastructures
  • Hydropower & renewables: TIWAG and regional energy projects create environmental jobs
  • University networking: Strong research-industry collaborations

For GIS professionals and geoinformatics specialists, Innsbruck is one of the most attractive job markets in the German-speaking region in the long term.

Top employers in Innsbruck

Innsbruck offers a unique employer landscape for specialists in the geospatial, planning and environmental sectors. From the world's leading GIS software company VertiGIS to modern city administration to a renowned university with a focus on geoinformatics — the Innsbruck employer landscape is specialized and dynamic. This overview presents the top employers for geoinformatics specialists, GIS specialists, spatial planners and environmental professionals in Innsbruck and the region.

Public employers and authorities

City of Innsbruck — Office for Urban Surveying and Statistics (Department of Surveying and Geoinformation)

The Office for Urban Surveying and Statistics is the central geoinformation authority of the city of Innsbruck. With the modern GeoHub system, the urban city map (map.innsbruck.gv.at) and comprehensive geodata services, the Office operates a state-of-the-art GIS infrastructure for administration and the public. Geomaticians, surveyors, GIS specialists, and geodata engineers work to collect, manage, and provide geospatial data. Vacancies are regularly created in the areas of surveying, geoinformation and GIS administration. The office is a pioneer in modern geodata management in Austria.

Relevant positions: surveyors, geomatists, GIS technicians, surveyors, geodata managers
www.innsbruck.gv.at

City of Innsbruck — Office for Urban Planning, Urban Development and Integration

The Office of Urban Planning shapes Innsbruck's spatial development: Sustainable district development, climate adaptation, alpine mobility concepts and land use planning are central tasks. The Office employs city planners, spatial planners, traffic planners and architects. With ambitious projects and a modern understanding of planning, the City of Innsbruck offers attractive job offers for spatial planning Innsbruck for specialists who want to help shape sustainable urban development.

Relevant positions: Spatial planners, urban planners, traffic planners, project managers, architects
www.innsbruck.gv.at

TIWAG-Tiroler Wasserkraft AG (location in Thaur, near Innsbruck)

TIWAG is Austria's largest producer of hydropower and one of the region's most important employers. Based in Thaur, TIWAG employs waterworks engineers, hydropower engineers, hydrologists and environmental engineers for hydropower, water management and network infrastructure projects. TIWAG creates environmental jobs in Innsbruck in the areas of water ecology, pipeline documentation (with GIS) and infrastructure management. Vacancies are attractive and offer security in the public sector.

Relevant positions: Waterworks engineers, hydrologists, environmental engineers, GIS technicians, pipeline documentation, project engineers
www.tiwag.at

private companies

VertiGIS GmbH — The global GIS software player with roots in Innsbruck

VertiGIS is one of the world's leading providers of GIS software and spatial asset management solutions — and Innsbruck is one of its global development and consulting centers. Based at Wilhelm-Greil-Straße 17, VertiGIS employs over 200 people in Austria, many of them in Innsbruck. The company develops software solutions based on Esri technology for utilities, government agencies and companies.

GIS jobs in Innsbruck at VertiGIS: Consultant GIS (m/f/x), Senior Consultant/Project Manager GIS, GIS Developer, GIS Data Engineer, GIS and WebGIS Administrator. Job offers in Geoinformatics Innsbruck are constantly being created. VertiGIS is known for good working conditions, international projects, hybrid work options, and continuing education programs. For GIS specialists, VertiGIS is a top address with career prospects in software development, consulting and project management.

Relevant positions: GIS Consultant, Senior GIS Consultant, GIS Developer, Data Engineer, GIS Administrator, Project Manager
www.vertigis.com | Career page

ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH (Innsbruck location)

ILF is a leading engineering firm specializing in water management, energy and environmental planning. Based in Innsbruck, the office employs water construction engineers, environmental engineers, geoinformatics specialists and GIS specialists. Vacancies are regularly created for projects in the fields of hydropower, hydrogeology and GIS-based spatial analyses. ILF is known for high-quality engineering work and international projects.

Relevant positions: Waterworks engineers, environmental engineers, geoinformatics specialists, GIS specialists, hydrogeologists
www.ilf.com

BERNARD Group ZT GmbH (location in Hall in Tyrol, near Innsbruck)

The BERNARD Group is a family-run, specialized engineering firm for infrastructure, water and environmental planning. Based in Hall in Tyrol (15 minutes from Innsbruck), the office employs hydrogeologists, hydraulic engineering specialists, project engineers and environmental engineers. Vacancies arise for construction water management, infrastructure projects and hydraulic engineering projects. The BERNARD Group is a traditionally strong employer with stable positions.

Relevant positions: Hydrogeologists, Hydraulic Engineering Specialists, Project Engineers, Environmental Engineers, Trackers
www.bernardgruppe.at

Local surveying and geometry offices

Innsbruck and the region have several established surveying and geometry offices that carry out property surveys, technical surveys and engineering surveys. Surveyors, geomatists and surveyors will find stable job opportunities here using modern surveying technology, drone use and digital recording methods.

Relevant positions: surveyors, geomatists, surveyors, drone pilots
→ Search for local geometry offices in the Innsbruck region

Research and education

University of Innsbruck — Department of Geography

The Institute of Geography is one of Austria's leading research institutions with an international reputation. With a focus on physical geography (alpine hydroclimatology, natural hazards), human geography (urban and development research) and Geoinformatics & Remote Sensing the institute offers excellent career opportunities. The intensive geoinformatics training and the GIS laboratory with the latest equipment make the institute a hotspot for spatial data processing.

Career opportunities: Research assistants, doctoral students (with regular employment up to 30h/week), postdocs and lecturers. With a focus on alpine applications (3D measurement, remote sensing, natural hazard modelling) and cooperation with VertiGIS, city administration and regional partners, the institute offers practice-oriented research.

Relevant positions: Research assistants, doctoral students, postdocs, lecturers, research assistants
www.uibk.ac.at/geography

University of Innsbruck — Faculty of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

The Faculty of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is one of Austria's largest geoscientific research institutions. With the Department of Geography, Department of Geology, Department of Meteorology and Geophysics, the faculty is researching human-environment relationships, natural hazards and climate change. Scientific positions arise regularly; the faculty also offers apprenticeships and research assistants for students.

Relevant positions: Research assistants, doctoral students, postdocs, research assistants
www.uibk.ac.at/geosciences

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