GIS Software Developer

About the Company

Azavea is known for developing geospatial software, geographic information systems (GIS), web applications, and data-processing tools. In 2023, Azavea was acquired by Element 84, a geospatial technology company that develops software and data pipelines for analyzing Earth observation and other complex datasets. Its work has supported civic, environmental, infrastructure, and public-interest projects. <Cite refs={["turn137043search0","turn137043search2","turn137043search11"]}/>

Job Overview

The GIS Software Developer role focuses on designing, building, and maintaining software that processes, analyzes, and visualizes geographic data. The developer will work with software engineers, GIS specialists, and project stakeholders to create reliable geospatial applications and data services.

The ideal candidate combines software engineering fundamentals with an interest in mapping technologies, spatial databases, geospatial analytics, and data visualization. This role may involve developing mapping interfaces, building geospatial APIs, processing spatial datasets, and improving the performance of location-based applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain GIS software and geospatial applications.
• Build web-based mapping tools and interactive geographic data visualizations.
• Develop services and APIs that process, query, and deliver spatial data.
• Work with vector and raster datasets for geographic analysis and visualization.
• Integrate geospatial services, mapping libraries, and third-party data sources.
• Work with spatial databases such as PostgreSQL and PostGIS.
• Implement data-processing workflows for geographic and Earth observation datasets.
• Improve application performance, scalability, reliability, and data-processing efficiency.
• Write automated tests, troubleshoot defects, and maintain high-quality code.
• Collaborate with software engineers, GIS analysts, designers, and project managers.
• Maintain technical documentation, data-processing procedures, and software specifications.
• Use version control and code review practices to support collaborative development.
• Apply secure coding practices and protect sensitive or restricted geographic data.
• Contribute to software deployment, monitoring, and ongoing application maintenance.

Required Skills

• Experience in software development, GIS programming, or geospatial application engineering.
• Proficiency in Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Scala, or another relevant programming language.
• Understanding of GIS concepts, coordinate reference systems, projections, and spatial data formats.
• Familiarity with spatial databases and SQL.
• Knowledge of REST APIs, web services, and data integration.
• Understanding of algorithms, data structures, debugging, and software testing.
• Experience using Git or another version control system.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience with PostGIS, GeoServer, GDAL, GeoJSON, or similar geospatial tools.
• Familiarity with mapping libraries such as Leaflet, OpenLayers, or MapLibre.
• Experience with cloud platforms, containerization, or distributed data processing.
• Understanding of raster processing, remote sensing, or spatial analytics.
• Familiarity with open-source software development and collaborative repositories.
• Experience building data-intensive applications or geospatial visualization systems.
• A portfolio of GIS, mapping, spatial analysis, or geospatial software projects.

Benefits

Potential benefits may include health insurance, paid time off, retirement savings options, parental leave, and professional development opportunities. Current benefits and eligibility should be confirmed with Element 84.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Visa sponsorship
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person