
Linz — the state capital of Upper Austria with around 200,000 inhabitants — is a dynamic, underrated city on the Danube that has developed from its industrial past into a modern tech and innovation center. Johannes Kepler University shapes the city as a science hub; VOESTALPINE and other international companies make Linz an economic powerhouse. For specialists in the geospatial, planning and environmental sectors, Linz is a growing, attractive job market with stable demand for geoinformatics specialists, surveyors and environmental specialists. Working in Linz means working in a city that combines tradition and innovation — with modern city life, excellent infrastructure, low living costs and close proximity to nature (Danube, Alps).
The job market in Linz and Upper Austria offers good and stable prospects for specialists in the geospatial, planning and environmental sectors. With Johannes Kepler University as a research location, a modern city administration and important industrial companies with geo-requirements, Linz has developed into an up-and-coming place of work for geoinformatics specialists and spatial planners.
Geoinformatics & GIS
Linz and Upper Austria have a growing GIS sector: Linz City Council is continuously modernizing its geoinformation system; the city council is regularly looking for geomatists and GIS specialists for surveying and 3D modelling. With a focus on modern technologies (3D building data, CAD/GIS, databases), GIS Jobs Linz are created in urban areas. In addition, industrial companies, infrastructure operators and specialized planning offices offer continuous job opportunities for geoinformatics specialists.
Spatial planning & urban planning
The City of Linz plans ambitiously: Sustainable urban development, district renewal and mobility transformation are key projects. The municipal authority (Office for Urban Development) and private planning offices offer job opportunities for spatial planning Linz for city planners, spatial planners and traffic planners. Danube riverbank development and new urban districts generate job offers for urban planning Linz. As a region with a strong economy, Upper Austria offers additional regional planning projects.
Surveying & geomatics
The surveying and cadastral authority of Upper Austria based in the region continuously employs surveyors, geomatists and surveyors. Modern surveying technologies (drones, 3D laser scanning) create secure job opportunities for survey jobs in Linz in the public sector. The public sector offers security and development prospects.
Environment, Water Management & Nature Conservation — Danube Management
The Danube shapes Linz: Hydropower companies (e.g. associations with projects in Upper Austria) and environmental authorities offer job opportunities for hydraulic engineering specialists, hydrologists and environmental engineers. The magistrate (environmental agency) is looking for specialists for water protection, nature and species protection, biodiversity and climate protection. Environmental jobs in Linz are created in the context of flood protection, river restoration and urban ecology.
Industry & energy transition
Upper Austria is the center of the industrial and energy revolution in Austria. VOESTALPINE and other large companies are investing in GIS solutions for line management, site planning and data analysis. Renewable energy projects (wind, solar, biomass) with GIS requirements are constantly being developed. Geoinformatics specialists find jobs here Renewable Energy Linz with growing demand.
Living in Linz — Affordable & Attractive
Living in Linz is affordable in German-speaking countries — rents are 30-40% cheaper than in Munich or Vienna; purchase prices are stable. Popular districts include the old town with historic charm and gastronomy (art museum, theatre), Urfahr-Umgebung on the northern shore with young and progressive, St. Magdalena with greenery and family, Franckviertel with artistic flair. The housing market is balanced; modern new construction projects (e.g. Winterhafen district) are constantly being developed. Linz offers great value for young professionals and families.
Transport connection — central in Austria & Europe
Linz's transport connections are excellent: The main train station is a central hub with direct connections to Vienna (2h), Salzburg (1.5h), Graz and Prague. The public transport network is modern — trams and buses (including express buses) connect all parts of the city optimally. By car: A1, A3, A7 motorways allow quick exits and entrances. The Danube is a nice alternative for cyclists — the extensive Danube cycle path network is legendary (Danube cycle path!). Special feature: With the “OÖVV Card” (Oberösterreich-Verkehrsverbund), you can travel cheaply across the entire federal state.
Leisure & relaxation — Danube, Alps & culture
Linz's work-life balance benefits from a unique mix: The Danube with riverside hikes, cycling (Danube cycle path is one of the most beautiful in Europe!) , boat trips; the Alps are 1-2 hours away for skiing in winter, mountaineering in summer; lakes (Attersee, Traunsee) are quickly accessible. Cultural: Linz is the cultural capital — the Ars Electronica festival, world-class art museum, modern theatre and vibrant music scene. The Danube riverbank is a leisure oasis with restaurants, bars and events. For families: Excellent schools, parks, playgrounds and child-friendly museums (hands-on!).
The University of Linz: A research powerhouse
Johannes Kepler University (JKU) is Austria's largest university for Upper Austria with 23,000 students and 3,600 employees. With four faculties (Technology & Natural Sciences, Economics & Society, Law, Medicine) and four schools (LIT — Linz Institute of Technology is known for AI and Data Science), the JKU offers strong research. In the area of geography and geoinformatics, the university (in association with Salzburg) offers bachelor's and master's degree programs with a focus on GIS, remote sensing and geosimulation. With partnerships between research and industry, the JKU Science Park is an innovation center.
Career opportunities: Research assistants, doctoral students and postdocs are created regularly. The JKU cooperates closely with city administration, industry and regional players — practice-oriented research is its core strength.
Industry & Economy: VOESTALPINE & Co.
Upper Austria is the center of industry and energy transition. Companies like VOESTALPINE invest in digital infrastructure, GIS solutions and data analysis. The energy revolution is continuously creating job opportunities in renewable energy with a focus on GIS.
Future trends & job prospects
Linz and Upper Austria benefit from:
For geo-specialists, Linz is an up-and-coming, stable job market with good prospects.
Linz offers a diverse and growing employer landscape for specialists in the geospatial, planning and environmental sectors. From a modern city administration with a focus on technology to leading industrial companies to a renowned university with a focus on geoinformatics — Linz's employer landscape is demanding and dynamic. This overview presents the top employers for geoinformatics specialists, spatial planners, surveyors and environmental specialists in Linz and the region.
The Linz City Council, Department of Planning, Technology and Environment (with Surveying and Geoinformation) is the central authority for urban surveying, geoinformation and spatial planning. With a modern GIS system, 3D building data and a geoinformation portal, the city operates a state-of-the-art geodata infrastructure. Geomaticians, surveyors, GIS specialists, and 3D modeling professionals work on urban development, surveying, and spatial analyses.
Vacancies arise regularly for positions in the areas of surveying, geoinformation, CAD/GIS and 3D modelling. The magistrate is known for modern technology and a flexible working environment.
Relevant positions: Geomatists, surveyors, GIS specialists, 3D modelers, surveyors
→ www.linz.at
The planning department of the Linz City Council shapes the spatial development of a modern city. With projects such as Danube Riverside Transformation, District Development and Mobility Planning, the city offers attractive job opportunities for spatial planners, city planners and transport planners. Vacancies for spatial planning Linz are regularly created for professionals who want to help shape Linz.
Relevant positions: Spatial planners, urban planners, traffic planners, architects, project managers
→ www.linz.at
The Environment Agency is responsible for climate protection, nature conservation, biodiversity and environmental protection in the city. With a focus on Danube management, flood protection and urban ecology, the Office employs environmental engineers, biologists, landscape ecologists and conservation experts. Environmental jobs in Linz are created regularly.
Relevant positions: environmental engineers, biologists, landscape ecologists, climate protection managers, conservation experts
→ www.linz.at
The surveying and cadastral authority of Upper Austria continuously employs surveyors, geomatists and surveyors for modern surveying technology and geoinformation systems. With SAPOS services and digital recording, the authority offers secure job opportunities in the public sector.
Relevant positions: surveyors, geomatists, surveyors, GIS technicians
→ www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at
VOESTALPINE is one of the leading European steel companies based in Linz — a mega employer for the region with over 50,000 employees worldwide. The company uses GIS intensively for line management, site planning, infrastructure digitization and spatial data analysis. Geoinformatics specialists, GIS specialists and data analysts find jobs here with an international focus and technological demands. VOESTALPINE is known for development opportunities and employee benefits.
Relevant positions: Geoinformatics specialists, GIS specialists, data engineers, infrastructure planners, project engineers
→ www.voestalpine.com
Verbund AG is Austria's largest energy company with a focus on hydropower. With projects in Upper Austria (Danube, rivers), Verbund employs hydraulic engineering specialists, hydrologists, environmental engineers and GIS specialists for pipeline management, power plant planning and environmental monitoring. Jobs are being created in the areas of hydropower, flood protection and restoration.
Relevant positions: Hydraulic engineering specialists, hydrologists, environmental engineers, GIS specialists, project engineers
→ www.verbund.com
Linz and the region have several established planning and engineering firms specializing in spatial planning, landscape planning and environmental planning. Spatial planners, landscape architects, environmental engineers and GIS specialists find a wide range of job opportunities here on local and supra-regional projects.
Relevant positions: Spatial planners, landscape architects, environmental engineers, GIS specialists, project managers
→ Search for local engineering offices in Linz
Linz and the region have several specialized surveying and geometry offices with modern technology (drones, laser scanning, CAD/GIS). Surveyors, geomatists and surveyors find stable job opportunities here.
Relevant positions: surveyors, geomatists, surveyors, drone pilots
→ Search for local surveying offices in Linz
Johannes Kepler University is one of Austria's largest universities with 23,000 students and a strong research focus. In the area of geoinformatics and geography, the JKU (in association with the University of Salzburg) offers bachelor's and master's degree programs with intensive GIS, remote sensing and geosimulation training. The Faculty of Engineering & Natural Sciences, with 59 institutes, researches spatial analyses, data modelling and urban systems.
Career opportunities: Research assistants, doctoral students and postdocs are created regularly. The JKU cooperates closely with city, industry and regional players.
Relevant positions: Research assistants, doctoral students, postdocs, lecturers, research assistants
→ www.jku.at
The Linz Institute of Technology is JKU's technology-focused school with a focus on AI, data science, and machine learning. With a growing focus on spatial data analysis and location intelligence, research opportunities are being created for geoinformatics specialists with an IT background.
Relevant positions: Research engineers, doctoral students, data scientists with a geo-focus
→ www.jku.at
The University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria offers practice-oriented studies in engineering and sustainability. With bachelor and master programs in environmental technology, sustainability engineering and applied geoinformatics, the FH offers practice-oriented career opportunities.
Relevant positions: Scientific Staff, Doctoral Students, Lecturers
→ www.fh-ooe.at