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

ESRI; Vienna (VA); On-site; USD 97,240 - 162,240; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401(k) and profit-sharing programs

80 hours of vacation leave annually

Twelve paid holidays annually

Job summary

ESRI is looking for a Software Development Engineer II to join their team in Virginia, USA. You will design and develop backend systems that power critical geospatial applications. Your role will involve building reliable backend services and APIs for complex data processing and operational workflows.

Ideal candidates will have 2+ years of experience in backend software engineering, a solid understanding of Python and JavaScript, and a Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM field. The position offers relocation assistance and a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional backend software engineering experience.
• Experience designing and building REST APIs and service-based architectures.
• Familiarity with geoprocessing workflows and automation of GIS tasks.

Responsibilities

• Build backend services for geospatial processing and automation.
• Develop APIs and integration services using Node.js and Python.
• Improve reliability and performance through API design and testing.

Skills

Backend software engineering experience

Python

JavaScript/Node.js

API design

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, GIS, or STEM

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

ArcGIS Enterprise

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 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

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.

A reasonable estimate of the base salary range is $97,240—$162,240 USD.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e‑mail address.