Careers.

Software Engineer – 12 Months Fixed Term

Earthwave is looking for an established Software Engineer with several years of professional experience to develop tools and applications that enable our Earth Observation (EO) research projects. The candidate will primarily focus on developing our backend services, with additional opportunities to contribute to frontend components. Experience in Earth Observation and Spatial Analysis is not required but a keen interest in mastering these is essential for succeeding across our diverse project portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

The candidate will report to Earthwave’s Software Engineering Manager. They will work closely with Earthwave’s Data Scientists and other Software Engineers, as well as with similar staff and academics working for our consortium partners.

The role is hybrid, based out of Earthwave’s central Edinburgh office, and you must be UK-based, with the right to work in the UK. 

The core responsibilities of the role are:

  • Design, develop, maintain, and support cloud-hosted applications for multiple tools and services, contributing work to both the frontend and the backend.
  • Implement the contents of Algorithm Definition Documents prepared by Data Scientists.
  • Develop and maintain company and project websites.
  • Contribute to the company’s IT function via administration of some cloud and physical assets.
  • Contribute to company-wide code reviews and pull request processes.
  • Manage your own workload and understand project dependencies and timelines.
  • Get stuck in with a variety of other tasks across the small business as needed and/or where you find it interesting.

Essential Skills

  • Two or more years professional experience in a technical software development role.
  • The candidate must possess strong Python development skills.
  • Experience working with relational and/or NoSQL database technologies.
  • Experience designing and implementing robust REST APIs.
  • Experience working on at least one project with a pre-existing codebase of significant size.
  • Experience with Git and continuous integration/continuous development (CI/CD) practices.
  • Be fun, creative, curious and committed with the ability to work independently.

Desirable Skills

The following skills are not essential, but we will consider them favourably when selecting between applicants:

  • Background in remote sensing or other domain handling real or simulated sensor measurements. 
  • CI/CD tools including Docker, GitHub Actions and Pulumi.
  • Javascript/Typescript (NextJS, React and CesiumJS).
  • Cloud computing services, particularly Google Cloud Platform or OVHCloud.
  • Linux systems administration and lifecycle management, utilising automation tools such as Ansible.
  • Experience leveraging High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments to optimise large-scale data processing.

Do you have any other skills you’d like to share with us? Let us know – we are a small company and therefore always welcome new expertise!

What does it mean to work with us?

  • We are a small but growing team with a range of different backgrounds really enjoying the challenge of running a small business in the space sector. This is an exciting time to join us, since you’ll help to shape the company of the future!
  • We care about the environment and all our projects and services are focused on understanding, predicting and preventing the effects of climate change on our planet. We take pride in the quality and efficiency of our work as we think a topic as serious as climate change deserves care and attention. If you think the same, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to work with us!
  • We enjoy a range of different working styles, working from home some days while gathering in our Edinburgh office on other days. Our staff enjoy both flexible and hybrid working, as well as flexi-time schemes.
  • We believe a healthy work-life balance leads to a healthier business.
  • We are committed to Fair Working principles; we strive for a positive work environment that values our employees, and we respect individuals’ differences.
  • You’ll enjoy benefits including dental insurance, a professional subscriptions scheme, a fitness scheme, a cycle to work scheme and the ability to purchase additional annual leave days beyond your standard entitlement.
  • We have fun working, since we truly care about the work that we are doing.

To apply, please send your CV to us at jobs@earthwave.co.uk. In addition, please provide a Python script of 300 lines or less (not including imports and comments, and with a limit of 120 characters per line) illustrating your technical skills.