Geospatial Data Engineer

IDR, Inc.; Oakland (CA); Remote; USD 103,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

IDR, Inc. is seeking a Geospatial Data Engineer for a remote contract opportunity (California preferred).

The role targets a senior data engineer with extensive experience building geospatial/raster pipelines on AWS and integrating modern ETL/data ecosystems, collaborating closely with tech and business stakeholders to deliver reliable data products. Responsibilities include designing scalable geospatial data pipelines, leveraging AWS, PySpark, Python, SQL, and Apache Sedona; handling raster

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, GIS, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in data engineering/ETL ecosystems.
• AWS geospatial engineering: building and running geospatial/raster pipelines natively on AWS.
• PySpark, Python, SQL.
• Apache Sedona experience.
• Strong understanding of coordinate reference systems (EPSG, NAD83 vs WGS84).
• Experience with large-scale raster processing and multi-band imagery.
• Familiarity with remote sensing imagery cataloging/versioning (STAC).

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable geospatial data pipelines and ETL/ELT workflows, with emphasis on raster + satellite imagery processing at scale.
• Build and optimize solutions using AWS, Spark/PySpark, Python, SQL, and Apache Sedona.
• Implement ingestion strategies for massive, frequently changing raster datasets (tiling, spatial pruning, predicate/spatial pushdown, partial reads, selective/incremental ingestion).
• Perform geospatial operations at scale (raster-vector joins, sampling pixels near assets, NDVI, multi-band imagery handling).
• Work with common spatial and raster formats including Shapefile, GeoJSON, GeoParquet, GeoPackage, KML, and raster formats such as GeoTIFF / Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF (COG).
• Apply best practices around data modeling and warehousing concepts (dimensional modeling, historical datasets, slowly-changing dimensions).
• Support orchestration and scheduling using tools such as Airflow, Dagster, or equivalent.

Skills

AWS geospatial pipelines

PySpark

Python

SQL

Apache Sedona

Geospatial raster processing

Coordinate reference systems

Education

BA/BS in CS/Engineering/GIS or related field

Tools

Airflow

Dagster

Geospatial data formats (GeoTIFF/GeoParquet)

Job description

IDR is seeking a Geospatial Data Engineer to join one of our top clients for a remote contract opportunity (California preferred). This role is ideal for a senior Data Engineer with deep experience building and running geospatial/raster data pipelines natively on AWS, who can also build and optimize modern ETL/data ecosystems and partner closely with technical and business stakeholders to deliver reliable data products.

Position Overview for the Geospatial Data Engineer:

• Design, build, and maintain scalable geospatial data pipelines and ETL/ELT workflows, with strong emphasis on raster + satellite imagery processing at scale


• Build and optimize solutions using AWS, Spark/PySpark, Python, SQL, and Apache Sedona


• Implement efficient ingestion strategies for massive, frequently changing raster datasets (e.g., tiling, spatial pruning, predicate/spatial pushdown, partial reads, selective/incremental ingestion)


• Perform geospatial operations at scale (e.g., raster-vector joins, sampling pixels near assets, band math such as NDVI, multi-band imagery handling)


• Work with common spatial and raster formats including Shapefile, GeoJSON, GeoParquet, GeoPackage, KML, and raster formats such as GeoTIFF / Cloud-Optimized GeoTIFF (COG)


• Apply best practices around data modeling and warehousing concepts (dimensional modeling, historical datasets, slowly-changing dimensions)


• Support orchestration and scheduling using tools such as Airflow, Dagster, or equivalent

Requirements for the Geospatial Data Engineer:

• BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, GIS, or a related quantitative field (or equivalent experience)


• 5+ years of experience in data engineering / ETL ecosystems


• Strong hands‑on experience with:
  
  
  • AWS geospatial engineering (Required): building and running geospatial/raster pipelines natively on AWS
  
  
  • PySpark, Python, SQL
  
  
  • Apache Sedona
  
  


• Strong understanding of coordinate reference systems (e.g., EPSG codes, NAD83 vs WGS84)


• Experience with large-scale raster processing and multi-band imagery (storage/compute implications, efficient processing patterns)


• Familiarity with remote sensing imagery cataloging/versioning (e.g., STAC or equivalent)

What’s in it for you?

• Full Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, and more


• Opportunity to get in with an industry leading organization

Why IDR?

• 25+ Years of Proven Industry Experience in 4 major markets


• Employee Stock Ownership Program


• Dedicated Engagement Manager committed to you and your success


• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance


• ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® Client and Talent Award winner 12 years in a row

$75-$81/hr