AI/ML Software Architect & Lead Developer (SAFEPLACE)
We are seeking an AI/ML Software Architect to join our team in Madrid, Spain, focusing on the architecture and development of next-generation AI-enabled geospatial and crisis management platforms for the SAFEPLACE project and other ESA-related initiatives.
In this role, you will lead both the architecture and hands‑on software development of scalable AI‑enabled geospatial and crisis management platforms combining AI/ML technologies, geospatial services, modern web applications, and cloud‑native backend systems.
The position requires a strong software engineering background with active participation in implementation activities across frontend, backend, AI/ML, geospatial, and deployment layers. The role goes beyond LLM integration and requires solid full‑stack and geospatial engineering expertise.
You will contribute to the development of advanced operational platforms supporting floods, wildfires, and civil protection use cases through real‑time data integration, AI‑driven analytics, and geospatial visualization technologies.
Tasks and activities
- Defining, implementing and maintaining the overall software architecture for AI-driven crisis management platforms and geospatial applications.
- Designing scalable backend systems and APIs using Python and FastAPI.
- Developing modern frontend applications using React for operational dashboards and geospatial visualization interfaces.
- Integrating geospatial technologies including Cesium and GeoServer for 2D/3D Earth observation and mapping services.
- Designing, integrating, and optimizing AI/ML services, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), semantic search, and intelligent assistant capabilities.
- Developing production‑grade frontend and backend software components as part of the operational development team.
- Implementing AI/ML services, APIs, geospatial services, and web applications directly in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Contributing actively to coding, integration, debugging, testing, and deployment activities across the software stack.
- Participating in technical prototyping, feature implementation, and operational software delivery.
- Designing and maintaining containerized environments using Docker and support deployment pipelines.
- Building and optimizing relational and geospatial database solutions using PostgreSQL/PostGIS.
- Collaborating with AI engineers, frontend developers, geospatial specialists, and crisis management experts to align technical solutions with operational needs.
- Defining software engineering best practices, architecture standards, testing strategies, and DevOps workflows.
- Ensuring system scalability, maintainability, reliability, and cybersecurity compliance.
- Contributing to technical documentation, architectural design reviews, demonstrations, and stakeholder presentations.
- Supporting integration activities with ESA and international partner systems.
- Participating in technical decision‑making and mentoring of development teams.
Skills and experience
The following skills and experience are mandatory:
- A Master’s degree and a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.
- Proven experience as a hands‑on Software Architect, Lead Developer, or Senior Full‑Stack Engineer in complex software systems, combining software architecture responsibilities with active development and implementation work.
- Strong hands‑on experience in full‑stack software development encompassing frontend (React), backend (Python, FastAPI), containerisation (Docker), and relational/geospatial databases (PostgreSQL/PostGIS).
- Expertise with geospatial technologies, including Cesium, GeoServer, and geospatial APIs and mapping services.
- Strong knowledge and hands‑on experience with AI/ML technologies, including large language models (LLMs), RAG architectures, AI service integration, and semantic search with vector databases.
- Experience designing distributed and scalable backend architectures.
- Familiarity with REST APIs, microservices, and cloud‑native architectures.
- Exposure to Git-based development workflows and CI/CD pipelines.
- Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and international teams.
- Fluent in English with excellent communication and technical documentation skills.
The following skills and experience are considered highly desirable:
- Experience with Earth Observation (EO), GIS, or satellite data processing systems.
- Knowledge of PostGIS spatial queries and geospatial data pipelines.
- Experience with cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or equivalent).
- Familiarity with Kubernetes and orchestration platforms.
- Exposure to safety‑critical, crisis management, or emergency response systems.
- Knowledge of AI model deployment and MLOps practices.
- Experience working in ESA or European institutional projects.
- Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices for operational platforms.
- Understanding of Spanish is highly desirable
Why should you apply?
- You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
- We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward‑thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
- To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
- Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro‑diverse applicants or those with a disability or long‑term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.