Software Development Engineer II – Back-End (Mission-Focused | ArcGIS)

Esri; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 97,240 - 162,240; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Esri is seeking a Software Development Engineer II to design and develop scalable backend services powering mission‑critical geospatial applications. You will build APIs and proxies with Node.js and Python, extend ArcGIS Enterprise, and create geoprocessing workflows for diverse data sources. This role supports secure, distributed environments and relocation to St.

Louis, MO is available. You should have 2+ years in backend engineering, proficiency in Python/Node/Java, REST API design, and

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional backend software engineering experience.
• Proficient in Python, JavaScript/Node, and Java.
• Experience designing and building REST APIs and service-based architectures.
• Experience extending or integrating with ArcGIS Enterprise or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with geoprocessing workflows and automation of GIS tasks.
• Experience with containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong API design, software architecture, and testing skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• US citizenship with an active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, GIS, or STEM field.

Responsibilities

• Build backend services powering geospatial processing and automation.
• Develop APIs, proxies, and integration services using Node.js and Python.
• Extend ArcGIS Enterprise in containerized environments.
• Create geoprocessing services and operational workflows.
• Build data ingestion pipelines across enterprise sources.
• Support cloud-native and on-prem deployments.
• Improve reliability via API design, testing, and observability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional GIS and DevOps teams.

Skills

Backend development

Python/Node/Java

REST APIs

Containerization

Distributed systems

Security clearance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Math/GIS

Tools

ArcGIS Enterprise

Docker/Kubernetes

Job description

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‑driven environments where performance and reliability matter. Esri has a Relocation Assistance Program and can provide support for relocating to the St. Louis, MO 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, 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, 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 an 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 a STEM‑related field.

Recommended Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or a 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.

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, a 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. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is $97,240 USD – $162,240 USD.

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 [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e‑mail address.