Esri

Software Development Engineer I - Applied Research & Prototyping

Esri$79K — $133K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 1+ years of relevant software development experience (professional, internship, or academic)
  • Strong foundation in software engineering principles and data structures
  • Proficiency in Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript for software development
  • Experience creating web services, APIs, or data-driven applications
  • Ability to analyze and suggest improvements to software and algorithms
  • Understanding of databases and distributed systems
  • Strong problem-solving and communication skills
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, GIS, or related field

Responsibilities

  • Evaluate, prototype, and implement new software capabilities using Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript
  • Design proof-of-concept applications and APIs
  • Research AI, computer vision, spatial intelligence, and automation techniques
  • Investigate areas such as imagery processing and AI-assisted workflows
  • Collaborate with engineers and product teams for technical assessment
  • Evolve prototypes into scalable, maintainable production software
  • Follow industry-standard development practices and methodologies
  • Work effectively in an Agile Scrum environment

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, and vision
  • 401(k) with profit-sharing programs
  • Minimum of 80 hours of vacation leave
  • Twelve paid holidays per year
  • Opportunities for personal and professional growth
Full Job Description
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.

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


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

$79,040-$133,016 USD

About Esri

Esri is a global leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Redlands, California. Esri's software is used by governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations worldwide to analyze and visualize data in order to make better decisions. The company's flagship product, ArcGIS, is a powerful mapping and analytics platform that allows users to create, manage, and share geographic information. Esri has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, and works to promote environmental stewardship and social equity through its products and services.
Learn more about Esri
Size
11,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1969

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