Geospatial Software Engineer II

About the role

The Geospatial Science and Human Security Division (GSHSD) is seeking a Geospatial Software Engineer II to support the development of next-generation software and data strategies that enable operational situational awareness products for sponsors across the Federal Government. The role focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining user-facing geospatial applications that power focused research and operational solutions across domains such as energy, transportation, and other cross-disciplinary applications.

Responsibilities

• Software Engineering (R&D): design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain software for geospatial applications and operational products.
• Frontend, Backend, or Full Stack Focus (based on fit):
  • Frontend: Build responsive web UIs and geospatial visualization experiences; integrate with APIs; improve usability, accessibility, and performance.
  • Backend: Build and operate APIs, services, and data pipelines; optimize performance and reliability; integrate with storage and compute platforms.
  • Full-Stack: Own features end-to-end from UI through services and data layers; ensure cohesive design and smooth delivery.
• Requirements Decomposition: work with researchers to capture requirements and translate them into software designs and implementations.
• Quality, Security, and Reliability: Write automated tests, participate in code reviews, and contribute to CI/CD following secure-by-design practices.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: collaborate with multidisciplinary teams through development, integration, testing, and deployment.

Qualifications

• Requires an B.S. or M.S. in the field of Geography, Data Science, Computer Science, or related fields with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• Proficiency in one or more languages such as TypeScript/JavaScript, Python, Java, C++, or Go
• Experience with modern software engineering practices: git-based workflows, documentation, testing, and code reviews
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to changing needs
• Demonstrated ability to present technical results to technical communities
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong commitment to a team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with at least one of the following categories:
• Frontend: TypeScript/JavaScript and a modern framework such as React, Angular, or Vue; experience integrating UIs with APIs and building responsive, accessible interfaces (geospatial visualization tools such as Mapbox GL, Cesium, OpenLayers, or Leaflet are a plus).
• Backend: Designing and building RESTful APIs and/or gRPC services; experience with databases and storage technologies (e.g., PostgreSQL/PostGIS, SQL/NoSQL, object storage such as S3) and data processing workflows/formats (e.g., ETL/ELT, Parquet; DuckDB/Zarr a plus)
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, or similar container platforms/concepts
• Familiarity with software engineering best practices (e.g., Agile development, Git/GitFlow, CI/CD) and project tracking tools such as JIRA or Asana
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative and frequently interacting teams of researchers
• Experience utilizing open-source and commercial tools and approaches to solve complex problems (e.g., information retrieval/extraction, machine learning/deep learning, networking)
• Experience working with geospatial data and processing workflows and assessing data sources for fit-for-purpose

Special Requirements

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

Relocation

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.