Karlsruhe

Jobs in

Karlsruhe

in the area of planning & geography jobs

With KIT, State Office for Geoinformation and tech companies, Karlsruhe offers excellent career opportunities for geo-specialists in the southwest.

profile

Karlsruhe
Federal state:
Baden-Württemberg
Population:
310,000
Known for:
KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), Fächerstadt, Federal Constitutional Court
Economy:
IT & Software, Research, Public Administration
Quality of life:
High quality of life, mild temperatures, proximity to the Rhine

Working and living in Karlsruhe

Working and living in Karlsruhe: Your career location for environment, planning and geodata

An overview of the city

Karlsruhe, the fan city with around 310,000 inhabitants, is a city of innovation and science in the heart of Baden-Württemberg. As home to the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), a university of excellence and the strongest research German university in engineering and natural sciences, as well as the seat of important federal courts, Karlsruhe combines scientific excellence with legal significance. The city impresses with its unique fan-shaped layout, which starts from the castle, its location between the Black Forest and the Rhine plain and its proximity to France. Karlsruhe as a place of work scores points with KIT as a leading research institution, innovative companies such as Disy Information Systems and INTERGEO as the world's leading geomesse, and a lively start-up scene. Living in Karlsruhe means Baden lifestyle, mild climate, bicycle city atmosphere and a city that combines research and quality of life. For professionals who want to combine a career in Karlsruhe with scientific excellence and Baden flair, the Fächerstadt is a first-class choice.

Labor market for environmental and planning occupations

Karlsruhe's job market offers outstanding prospects for specialists in the environmental, planning and geodata sectors. As an innovative city, Stadtplanung Karlsruhe is working on future-oriented projects ranging from sustainable urban development to KIT's “Quartier Zukunft — Labor Stadt” laboratory and climate-friendly transformation. The city is pursuing climate goals and focusing on sustainable mobility, the innovative Karlsruhe model (TramTrain system) and research projects on the transport revolution.

GIS Jobs Karlsruhe benefit from the exceptional density of GIS expertise: Disy Information Systems as a leading provider of business intelligence and location intelligence for public organizations, the annual INTERGEO as the world's leading expo for geoinformation in Karlsruhe and numerous other GIS companies create a unique ecosystem. The Office for Urban Development operates a modern geodata infrastructure. Environmental planners in Karlsruhe find a wide range of tasks in a city that is a leader in sustainability research thanks to KIT-ITAS (Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis).

Karlsruhe's particular strength lies in the combination of KIT research and practical implementation: The Karlsruhe Transformation Center for Sustainability and Cultural Change, the “Quartier Zukunft” real laboratory, research on sustainable mobility and climate protection make Karlsruhe a pioneer. Geodata jobs in Karlsruhe are created by the city, by companies such as Disy, at the Federal Institute of Hydraulic Engineering (BAW) based in Karlsruhe and numerous engineering firms. Karlsruhe surveyors benefit from Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences with the excellent Geodesy and Navigation degree program.

Vacancies in Spatial Planning Karlsruhe include positions at the city, at planning offices such as Mailänder Consult and at KIT. Geoinformatics Karlsruhe is in an excellent position: KIT offers geodesy and geoinformatics, and the Institute of Regional Science (IfR) is researching spatial planning and urban development. The unique combination of University of Excellence, GIS Industry, INTERGEO and sustainability research makes Karlsruhe one of the most attractive locations for specialists in the environmental and planning sectors.

Quality of life and infrastructure

Working in Karlsruhe means living in a city with a high quality of life and a mild climate. The cost of living is in the middle area of Baden-Württemberg, well below Munich or Stuttgart. Living in Karlsruhe offers a wide range of options: From central districts such as Südstadt and Weststadt to Oststadt and suburbs, the city offers attractive residential areas. The housing market is tight but more relaxed than in other major cities in Baden-Württemberg.

Transport connections are excellent: Karlsruhe is located on important rail lines and is a hub between Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Basel and Strasbourg. The Karlsruhe model as an innovative TramTrain system combines light rail and regional rail and is considered a role model worldwide. Baden-Airpark Airport and Stuttgart and Frankfurt airports are easily accessible. Karlsruhe is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Germany. Karlsruhe's work-life balance benefits from the location: The Upper Rhine, the Black Forest, the Vosges and France are on the doorstep. The mild temperatures make Karlsruhe one of the warmest major German cities.

Karlsruhe is culturally lively: The castle, the ZKM (Center for Art and Media) as one of the most important media arts institutions in the world, the Baden State Theatre, museums and a lively bar scene characterize the city. The proximity to France, the student atmosphere and Baden comfort create a special flair. Karlsruhe offers good schools and a family-friendly environment for families. The region between the Black Forest, the Rhine and the Palatinate offers a wide range of excursion options.

career prospects

Karlsruhe's job opportunities for environmental, planning and geospatial professionals are among the best in Germany. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a university of excellence, the strongest German university in engineering and natural sciences (Leiden University Ranking 2025) and offers first-class research and teaching with the Geodesy and Geoinformatics degree program, the Institute of Geography and Geoecology, the Institute of Regional Sciences (IfR) and ITAS.

ITAS (Institute for Technology Assessment and System Analysis) researches sustainability, energy transition, mobility transition, real laboratories and social transformation. The Institute of Regional Studies offers the Regional Science/Spatial Planning degree program and researches urban and regional development. Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences offers the Geodesy and Navigation degree program with excellent practical training. This density of universities creates a unique environment for the career of environmental engineer in Karlsruhe.

Job offers for spatial planning Karlsruhe will continue to increase as a result of innovative research and practical projects. INTERGEO, the world's leading annual trade fair for geoinformation in Karlsruhe, brings the global geo-community together. For qualified specialists, Karlsruhe is therefore not only a research city with a university of excellence, but also a location with a unique GIS economy, sustainability research and quality of life in Baden.

Top employers in Karlsruhe

Leading employer for environmental, planning and geospatial occupations in Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe offers a unique employer landscape for specialists in the environmental, planning and geodata sectors. The subject city combines KIT as a university of excellence, city administration, innovative companies in Karlsruhe such as Disy Information Systems, the Federal Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and specialized planning offices to form a dynamic career ecosystem. The exceptional concentration of employers Karlsruhe in the areas of GIS, sustainability research and geodesy as well as the strong demand for environmental jobs Karlsruhe and GIS companies Karlsruhe make the city a top location for specialists in these industries.

Public employers and authorities

City of Karlsruhe — Office for Urban Development
The Office for Urban Development is shaping the future of the fan city. The challenges include sustainable urban development, climate adaptation and the integration of innovative mobility concepts such as the Karlsruhe Model. City planners, spatial planners and urban developers work closely with KIT, in particular with the “Quartier Zukunft” real laboratory. Karlsruhe Jobs City Council offers career opportunities in a research city.

Federal Institute of Hydraulic Engineering (BAW)
The Federal Institute of Hydraulic Engineering is the largest and most efficient consulting and research institution for German traffic water engineering with headquarters in Karlsruhe and an additional location in Hamburg. BAW is part of the division of the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) and advises the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV). The Geotechnical Department operates a geotechnical test laboratory with exceptional equipment at the Karlsruhe site. Civil engineers, hydraulic engineers, geotechnicians, surveyors, geoinformatics specialists, environmental engineers and geologists work on infrastructure projects for federal waterways. BAW offers secure jobs in the federal service with infrastructure responsibility.

Karlsruhe Regional Council
The Karlsruhe Regional Council is the state authority for the administrative district of Karlsruhe and is responsible for regional planning, environmental protection, water management, nature conservation and transport. Spatial planners, environmental engineers, hydraulic engineers and administrative lawyers process approval procedures and planning approvals. The authority offers secure career prospects in the public sector in Baden-Württemberg.

Private companies and research institutions

Disy Information Systems GmbH
Disy Information Systems, founded in 1997 in Karlsruhe, is a leading provider of data analysis and reporting (business intelligence) solutions for public organizations in German-speaking countries. With modern software and a passion for technical issues in the area of BI and location intelligence, Disy creates the basis for quick, data-based decisions. The solutions are based on disy Cadenza, a product that combines data analysis, reporting and location intelligence in a unique way.

GIS developers, geoinformatics specialists, software engineers, data analysts and GIS consultants are working on innovative solutions for environmental agencies, local governments, utility companies and public sector clients. Disy is the leading GIS company in Karlsruhe and offers career opportunities in an innovative technology company with social relevance.

HINTE Expo and Conference GmbH/INTERGEO
HINTE organizes INTERGEO, the world's leading expo and conference platform for geoinformation, geodata and pioneering applications. More than 700 exhibitors from 42 countries and 20,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries make INTERGEO the central innovation hub for the geo-sector. HINTE's head office is in Karlsruhe. INTERGEO takes place every year in German cities and is the most important event for the geo-community worldwide.

Mailänder Consult GmbH
Mailänder Consult is one of the largest engineering firms in Baden-Württemberg with locations in Karlsruhe, Stuttgart and Frankfurt am Main and over 250 employees. The company offers innovative planning services in the areas of transport, environment and building construction. The environmental and landscape planning department consists of around 70 experienced experts from various disciplines such as geoecology, biology, geography, environmental planning and land management. Environmental planners, landscape planners, traffic planners, biologists, environmental experts in Karlsruhe and engineering specialists work on a wide range of projects. Mailänder Consult is one of Baden-Württemberg's most renowned planning offices.

EnBW Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg AG
EnBW is one of Germany's largest energy suppliers with headquarters in Karlsruhe. The company is a leader in the energy revolution and invests heavily in renewable energy, wind power and electric mobility. Energy engineers, environmental engineers, renewable energy project managers and sustainability experts are working on the climate-neutral energy supply of the future. EnBW is an attractive employer at the forefront of energy transformation based in Karlsruhe.

Research and education

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) — Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS)
ITAS is a leading global research institution for technology assessment, sustainability research and transformation research. The institute researches energy transformation, mobility turnaround, real laboratories, social transformation and sustainable urban development. The “Quartier Zukunft — Labor Stadt” real laboratory and the “Karlsruhe Transformation Center for Sustainability and Cultural Change” are showcase projects of transdisciplinary sustainability research.

Environmental scientists, urban researchers, mobility researchers, social scientists, sustainability experts and interdisciplinary researchers work on cutting-edge research with societal relevance. ITAS offers scientific positions with a focus on applied sustainability research, real-world laboratory methodology and transformation. Close cooperation with the City of Karlsruhe enables practice-oriented research.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) — Institute of Regional Science (IfR)
The Institute of Regional Studies offers research and teaching in spatial planning, regional science, urban and regional development. The institute researches transformative cities, sustainable housing, climate justice and spatial transformation. The Regional Science/Spatial Planning degree trains spatial planners. Spatial planners, urban researchers and geographers work on interdisciplinary research projects. The IfR offers scientific positions with practical relevance and transdisciplinary approaches.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) — Geodesy and Geoinformatics degree program
KIT offers the Bachelor's degree in Geodesy and Geoinformatics with an interdisciplinary orientation and connection to computer science and geosciences. The degree program teaches modern methods and tools for collecting geospatial data, GPS, augmented reality, machine vision and artificial intelligence. Geodesists, geoinformatics specialists, surveyors and GIS specialists receive practical training. KIT offers scientific career opportunities in geodesy and geoinformatics.

Karlsruhe University — Geodesy and Navigation degree program
Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences offers a bachelor's degree in Geodesy and Navigation with a strong practical focus. The degree program trains geodesy and navigation engineers with a focus on surveying, GIS, spatial planning, environmental protection and community planning. Karlsruhe surveyors are trained here on a practical basis and in small groups (max. 30 students). The university offers career opportunities in applied teaching and research.

Explore more cities

Geo-Jobs Bern: GIS, Geodesy & Environmental Employer
Canton of Bern

Bern

With swisstopo, BAFU and international organizations, Bern as the federal capital offers top career opportunities for geo-specialists.
Geo-Jobs Karlsruhe: GIS, Geodesy & Environmental Employer
Baden-Württemberg

Karlsruhe

With KIT, State Office for Geoinformation and tech companies, Karlsruhe offers excellent career opportunities for geo-specialists in the southwest.
Geo-Jobs Freiburg: GIS, Environment & Geodesy Employer
Baden-Württemberg

Freiburg

As a green city, Freiburg offers ideal career opportunities for geo-specialists in environmental protection, GIS and sustainable urban planning.
Geo-Jobs Zürich: GIS, Geodesy & Environmental Employer
Zurich Canton

Zurich

Zurich is the Swiss center for geo-jobs with ETH, swisstopo and international tech companies with the highest salaries.
Geo-Jobs Vienna: GIS, Urban Planning & Environmental Employer
Vienna

Vienna

Vienna offers geo-specialists excellent career opportunities in GIS, geodesy and urban planning with international employers and a high quality of life.
GIS & Urban Planning Jobs Münster: Top Employer
North Rhine Westphalia

Münster

How Münster is convincing as a place to work and live.

More articles

4.11.2025

Why geo-job ads often don't perform

GoGeoGo provides SEO technology — but without clear job titles, salary transparency and easy application, even the best platform remains ineffective.
Read article
1.11.2025

GIS salary Germany 2025: The complete guide for geoinformatics specialists

The ultimate guide shows you what GIS professionals in Germany really earn in 2025 — from starting with 48,000€ to senior level with 85,000 points, including city and industry comparisons, payroll tips and freelancer hourly rates.
Read article
1.11.2025

Surveyor training: entry & jobs

The training to become a surveyor combines work in the field with modern measurement technology and GIS/CAD evaluation in the office. It is a 3-year, recognized training course (shortening possible), which is in demand both in authorities and in companies.
Read article