Geospatial UI / UX Engineer (52218)

Description

Who We Are

The Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS) at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a nonprofit geospatial technology enterprise dedicated to expanding access to modern technologies that enable sustainable and equitable outcomes. Our mission is to connect critical environmental and social information across sectors-empowering better decisions about land, water, and people.

The Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS) is a nonprofit geospatial technology enterprise established at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Founded to help bridge the gap between policy and practice, our mission is to enable people and the planet to meet the pace of change by expanding access to new technologies for more sustainable and equitable outcomes for all.

Our award-winning team brings decades of applied expertise and end-to-end GIS capabilities to liberate and connect key information across sectors, crafting innovative solutions for mission-focused organizations. By embracing whole-system thinking with state-of-the-art technology, our work enables better decision-making and unlocks the power of land, water, and people. Using tools like satellite data and artificial intelligence, CGS accelerates positive change in key focus areas, including Ecosystem Conservation, Water Scarcity & Quality, Social Equity, and Sustainable Infrastructure.

CGS was founded at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, which seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, the Lincoln Institute integrates theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide and has office locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix, Arizona; and Beijing, China.

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy Mission

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions. We organize our work around three impact areas : land and water; land and fiscal systems; and land and communities. We envision a world where cities and regions prosper and benefit from coordinated land use planning and public finance; where communities thrive from efficient and equitable allocation of limited land resources; and where stewardship of land and water resources ensures a livable future.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Geospatial UI / UX Engineer who will lead user experience research, interface design, and user testing for CGS's suite of web applications, dashboards, and data portals. This role bridges design and front-end development, ensuring that our products are intuitive, accessible, and aligned with the diverse needs of users in the water data ecosystem.

The ideal candidate combines strong user-centered design and research skills with hands-on front-end implementation experience, capable of transforming complex environmental data into usable and engaging digital products. This position will work closely with front-end and back-end developers, data scientists, and stakeholder-engagement staff to prototype, test, and refine high-quality interfaces that make water data truly usable.

What You'll Do

User Research & Design

Lead user research and usability testing to understand stakeholder needs across scientific, policy, and public audiences.

Develop personas and user stories that inform design priorities and product features.

Convert scientific, policy, and operational workflows into actionable user requirements and design prototypes (wireframes, mockups, and interactive UI flows) using Figma or similar tools.

Establish and maintain design systems, accessibility standards, and brand-aligned visual styles across web applications.

Collaborate with project leads and partner organizations to align design goals with real-world workflows and decision contexts.

Participate in agile sprint planning, product reviews, and collaborative design critiques.

Document design guidelines, UX research findings, and interface logic for future development and scaling.

Front-End Development

Serve as the bridge between design intent and technical implementation across the product suite.

Collaborate with software developers to implement designs as responsive, accessible web interfaces using HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript frameworks (React preferred) and geospatial data visualization libraries (e.g., Plotly, D3.js, Mapbox, Leaflet).

Conduct iterative prototyping and user testing within active development cycles.

Collaborate with developers to ensure design feasibility and advocate for usability and accessibility throughout the development lifecycle.

Qualifications

What You'll Need

Bachelor's degree in human-computer interaction, design, computer science, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

3+ years of professional experience in UI / UX design for web applications, ideally involving complex scientific data content.

Proven ability to conduct user research, usability sessions, and iterative design with diverse user groups.

Strong proficiency in Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or equivalent design tools.

Familiarity with front-end development frameworks (Vue.js, React, or similar).

Knowledge of web accessibility standards and inclusive design practices.

Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams including developers, scientists, and policymakers.

Experience with user interfaces for multidimensional arrays

Experience with user interfaces with context rich, complex data models with many entity types and relationships

Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.

Support smooth transition of prototypes into production environments with clear documentation and design rationale.

U.S Citizenship, or legally authorized to work in the United States with no need for sponsorship, either now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with data visualization tools and geospatial frameworks (Leaflet, Mapbox, ArcGIS JS API, Plotly, D3.js).

Background in environmental, water, or sustainability domains.

Experience establishing or maintaining design systems or component libraries.

Familiarity with Git-based workflows, prototyping integration, and agile product development.

Working knowledge of Python or experience integrating with REST or OGC APIs.

Our Benefits

Include but are not limited to (a) 3x employer contribution towards retirement matching your employee contribution up to 15%, (b) health insurance, (c) dental insurance, (d) vision insurance, (e) 100% reimbursement of the health care deductible through a health reimbursement account, (f) short-term disability coverage, (g) long term disability coverage, (h) paid parental leave, (i) voluntary insurances such as accident insurance, (j) health care flexible spending, (k) dependent care flexible spending, (l) paid time off for holidays, vacation, personal, sick, bereavement, and jury duty, (m) office closure between December 24 - Jan 1 each calendar year, (n) flexible schedule and option for a compressed 4 day workweek, (o) tuition and staff development reimbursement, (p) pet insurance, and (q) Employee Assistance Program.

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest to join the team; why you are qualified; and what relevant expertise and experience you offer. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Compensation Overview

The salary market range for this role is posted above and dependent on level of education and years of experience. We value internal and external equity and encourage those who may be missing qualifications to submit their materials still.

Our Values

Cooperation and Teamwork, Forthright Feedback, Initiative, Acceptance of Responsibility, Multicultural Sensitivity

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment by hiring, training, promoting, and carrying out personnel procedures with respect to compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, or terminations, on the basis of individual merit, experience, and ability without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture, length of hair, protective hairstyles or cultural or religious headdresses), color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic / civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, military service, serious medical condition, expunged juvenile record, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, status as a victim, credit information, homelessness status, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by law or otherwise.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Non-Smoking Organization

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a Non-Smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times and on all property owned, leased, or under the control of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy at all times, including, but not limited to indoor and outdoor grounds, walkways and sidewalks, parking lots, company vehicles, and private vehicles parked on Lincoln Institute of Land Policy property.

MA Polygraph Statement

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.