Overview
Join Esri`s team and build backend systems that power mission critical geospatial applications supporting Defense and Intelligence operations.
As a Software Development Engineer II, you will design and develop scalable backend services and APIs that enable complex data processing, system integration, and real time analytics. Your work will directly support high impact operational systems, helping organizations transform large scale data into actionable insights.
You will collaborate with cross functional teams to build reliable, high performance systems that operate across secure, distributed environments.
This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving complex backend challenges and want to apply their skills in mission drive environments where performance and reliability matter.
Esri has a Relocation Assistance Program and can provide support with relocating to the Washington DC area for this position.
Responsibilities
- Build backend services that power geospatial processing, automation, and user-facing capabilities
- Develop APIs, proxies, and integration services using Node.js and Python
- Create and maintain backend tooling that extends ArcGIS Enterprise in containerized environments
- Develop and maintain geoprocessing services, automation scripts, and operational workflows
- Build connectors and ingestion pipelines across diverse enterprise data sources
- Support deployments across cloud-native and on-prem environments
- Improve reliability and performance through API design, testing, monitoring, and observability
- Collaborate with platform, DevOps, and GIS teams to translate requirements into production solutions
Requirements
- 2+ years of professional backend software engineering experience
- Professional experience developing backend services using Python, JavaScript/Node,js and Java
- Experience designing and building REST APIs and service-based architectures
- Experience extending or integrating with ArcGIS Enterprise or similar enterprise geospatial platforms
- Familiarity with geoprocessing workflows, proxies and middleware services and automation of GIS or data processing tasks
- Experience working in containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes, or similar)
- Solid fundamentals in API design, software/system design, and testing and debugging distributed services
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills
- US citizenship with Active or Current (within 2 years of active) Top Secret Security Clearance with SCI eligibility
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or STEM related field
Recommended Qualifications
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or Stem related field
- Esri certification
- CompTIA Security + certification
- Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP)
- Experience with monitoring, logging, and observability tools
- Exposure to DevSecOps practices and secure development pipelines
- Experience with ArcGIS Enterprise SDKs, automation frameworks, or platform extensions
- Experience building services for geospatial analysis, data pipelines, or map services
- Familiarity with enterprise authentication, proxies, and secure service architectures
- Experience with relational and spatial databases (PostgreSQL,PostGIS, SQL Server, and more)
- Exposure to event-driven architecture, batch processing, or distributed data workflows
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Total Rewards
Esri’s competitive total rewards strategy includes industry-leading health and welfare benefits: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance for employees (and their families), 401(k) and profit-sharing programs, minimum accrual of 80 hours of vacation leave, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Base salary is one component of our total rewards strategy. Compensation decisions and the base range for this role take into account many factors including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
The Company
At Esri, diversity is more than just a word on a map. When employees of different experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures come together, we are more innovative and ultimately a better place to work. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is unified under our mission of creating positive global change. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a destination but an ongoing process. We are committed to the continuation of learning, growing, and changing our workplace so every employee can contribute to their life’s best work. Our commitment to these principles extends to the global communities we serve by creating positive change with GIS technology. For more information on Esri’s Racial Equity and Social Justice initiatives, please visit our website here.
If you don’t meet all of the preferred qualifications for this position, we encourage you to still apply!
Esri is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Esri Privacy Esri takes our responsibility to protect your privacy seriously. We are committed to respecting your privacy by providing transparency in how we acquire and use your information, giving you control of your information and preferences, and holding ourselves to the highest national and international standards, including CCPA and GDPR compliance.
Skills Required
- 2+ years of professional backend software engineering experience
- Professional experience developing backend services using Python, JavaScript/Node.js and Java
- Experience designing and building REST APIs and service-based architectures
- Experience extending or integrating with ArcGIS Enterprise or similar enterprise geospatial platforms
- Familiarity with geoprocessing workflows, proxies and middleware services and automation of GIS or data processing tasks
- Experience working in containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes, or similar)
- Solid fundamentals in API design, software/system design, and testing and debugging distributed services
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills
- US citizenship with Active or Current (within 2 years of active) Top Secret Security Clearance with SCI eligibility
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or STEM related field
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or STEM related field
- Esri certification
- CompTIA Security+ certification
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP)
- Experience with monitoring, logging, and observability tools
- Exposure to DevSecOps practices and secure development pipelines
- Experience with ArcGIS Enterprise SDKs, automation frameworks, or platform extensions
- Experience building services for geospatial analysis, data pipelines, or map services
- Experience with relational and spatial databases (PostgreSQL, PostGIS, SQL Server, and more)
- Exposure to event-driven architecture, batch processing, or distributed data workflows
Esri Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Esri and has not been reviewed or approved by Esri.
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Healthcare Strength — Feedback suggests health coverage is a standout, with full company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums frequently cited as uncommon and valuable. Comprehensive options, including mental health support and FSAs, reinforce confidence in core healthcare benefits.
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Affordable Benefits — Feedback suggests employer-paid premiums lower out-of-pocket costs, which many view as a meaningful offset to lower cash pay in some roles. This affordability underpins satisfaction with total compensation even when salaries are seen as moderate relative to tech hubs.
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Retirement Support — Feedback suggests 401(k) matching and profit sharing are valued components that strengthen long-term financial security. These programs contribute to a perception of stability and a well-rounded total rewards package.
Esri Insights
What We Do
As a leading location intelligence platform provider (Forrester Wave 2020), Esri empowers leaders with innovative tools to help create sustainable prosperity. Esri's customers drive digital transformation by embracing the power of location. We pioneer problem solving with GIS to help you see what others can’t. We build ArcGIS, the world’s most powerful mapping & spatial analytics software. ArcGIS software and apps combine mapping and data analytics to deliver location intelligence and meet digital transformation needs for organizations of all sizes.
