Application Guide

How to Apply for Software Engineer - Federal Geospatial (Hub-Remote: DC or Philly Metro)

at Element84

🏢 About Element84

Element84 is a small, mission-driven company focused on building geospatial data platforms for federal clients, often working with open-source technologies like STAC and OpenLayers. Their hub-remote model values collaboration while offering flexibility, and they prioritize work-life balance and continuous learning.

About This Role

As a Software Engineer on the Federal Geospatial team, you'll build and maintain full-stack applications that process and visualize geospatial data at scale, directly supporting critical government missions. Your work will involve everything from backend services to frontend interfaces, ensuring high reliability and security in AWS environments.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start your day with a standup to sync with your team, then dive into coding a new feature for a geospatial data portal—perhaps writing Python backend services or debugging a React component. After lunch, you'll review a teammate's pull request, run automated tests, and deploy a Lambda function to staging. You might end the day researching a Clojure library to improve performance.

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🎯 Who Element84 Is Looking For

  • Experienced full-stack developer with 5+ years, comfortable in Python and JavaScript, and eager to learn Clojure and React.
  • AWS-savvy engineer who can design and deploy serverless applications using S3, IAM, and Lambda.
  • Strong problem-solver with a knack for debugging complex systems and a commitment to automated testing and CI/CD.
  • Collaborative team player who values code reviews and is excited about geospatial data and open-source tools.

📝 Tips for Applying to Element84

1

Tailor your resume to highlight AWS and full-stack experience, especially any work with geospatial data (e.g., STAC, GDAL, or map libraries).

2

In your cover letter, mention specific federal geospatial projects or open-source contributions that align with Element84's mission.

3

Showcase your ability to write clean, testable code by linking to a GitHub repo with examples of Python, JavaScript, or Clojure projects.

4

Emphasize your experience with agile development and taking ownership of features from story to deployment.

5

Research Element84's blog or GitHub to mention specific tools they use (e.g., STAC, PySTAC, or their work on Earthdata) in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for geospatial technology and its impact on federal missions.', 'Your hands-on experience with AWS services (S3, IAM, Lambda) and full-stack development.', 'Your collaborative mindset and commitment to code quality through testing and reviews.', 'Your adaptability and interest in learning Clojure and React if not already proficient.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Element84's open-source projects on GitHub, especially their work on STAC and Earthdata.
  • → Read their blog posts about federal geospatial projects or their 'Hub-Remote' work model.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the STAC specification and its role in geospatial data interoperability.
  • → Check out their case studies or client testimonials to understand the impact of their work.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you debugged a complex issue in a large codebase. What tools and approaches did you use?
2 How would you design a serverless data processing pipeline on AWS for geospatial imagery?
3 Walk us through your experience with automated testing. How do you ensure high test coverage?
4 Explain the concept of STAC (SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog) and how you might use it in a geospatial app.
5 Given a React frontend and a Clojure backend, how would you approach implementing a new feature end-to-end?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't apply without demonstrating any interest in geospatial technology—it's central to the role.
  • Avoid generic cover letters; mention Element84's specific projects or values.
  • Don't overlook the requirements for 5+ years experience; if you're close, emphasize your depth in AWS and full-stack work.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Element84!

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