Software Development Engineer I - Applied Research & Prototyping

Overview

In this position, you will use your Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, and modern software engineering experience to research, prototype, and implement emerging technologies that support geospatial, AI-enabled, real-time, and data-driven software systems.

This team supports a range of products and innovation initiatives in the Professional Services R&D Center. As a software engineer, you will work with senior and principal engineers to evaluate promising technical approaches, build rapid prototypes, and help transition viable concepts into maintainable production software. You will be part of a collaborative team of dynamic and passionate engineers who develop capabilities that help users solve complex operational, spatial, and technology challenges.

The Professional Services division is the consulting and implementation arm of Esri. We break ground in new markets, push the technology envelope, and ultimately deliver transformational solutions to high profile clients worldwide. The Professional Services organization is comprised of nearly 1,000 talented business and technical professionals who strive every day to help our users be successful.

Responsibilities

• Use Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript to evaluate, prototype, and implement emerging software capabilities
• Design and develop proof-of-concept applications, services, APIs, integrations, and data-driven workflows
• Research and prototype approaches involving AI, computer vision, spatial intelligence, real-time systems, sensor integration, and automation
• Investigate technical areas such as imagery and video processing, indoor and built-environment intelligence, digital twins, operational monitoring, and AI-assisted workflows
• Collaborate with senior engineers, architects, and product teams to assess technical viability, tradeoffs, and production implementation paths
• Help evolve viable prototypes into scalable, maintainable, and testable production software
• Build software that follows industry-standard design patterns, development methodologies, testing practices, and deployment models
• Work effectively in an Agile Scrum team environment

Requirements

• 1+ years of professional, internship, academic, or project experience supporting similar software development responsibilities
• Strong foundation in software engineering principles, algorithms, and data structures
• Experience with software development using Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript
• Experience building web services, APIs, integrations, or data-driven applications
• Ability to analyze software, algorithms, and technical approaches and identify improvements
• Understanding of databases, data modeling, and distributed systems concepts
• Ability to rapidly learn new technologies and evaluate technical tradeoffs
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or STEM related field

Recommended Qualifications

• Experience working on an Agile software development team
• Experience with modern web frameworks such as React, Node.js, Next.js, NestJS, Express, Angular, or similar technologies
• Experience developing REST based webservices or GraphQL APIs
• Working knowledge of SQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or other relational and non-relational databases
• Familiarity with AI, machine learning, large language models, agentic systems, or computer vision technologies
• Experience working with imagery, video, sensors, IoT, telemetry, streaming data, or real-time systems
• Knowledge of cloud-native development, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, or DevOps practices
• Knowledge of the ArcGIS platform, spatial data, mapping technologies, or location-based systems
• Knowledge of source control and issue management systems
• Master's degree in computer science, mathematics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or STEM related field

About Esri

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 askcareers@esri.com 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.

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