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

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 offers a Relocation Assistance Program and can provide support with relocating to the Redlands, CA 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

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

Benefits

• 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
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Pay

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