Cartographic Experience Designer - UX/UI Marketing

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Cartographic Experience Designer - UX/UI Marketing Company: Esri Location: Redlands, CA Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing Operations / UX/UI Design Date Posted: September 23, 2025 Experience Level: 2-5 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and produce cutting-edge geographic experiences for Esri's global website and marketing touchpoints, blending cartographic knowledge with UX/UI principles to enhance user engagement.
• Execute end-to-end technical workflows for map creation, encompassing story conception, data discovery, management, and production at scale using ArcGIS and other Esri products.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with brand, content strategy, and a dedicated mapping visualization team to develop static, animated, and interactive maps that effectively communicate complex geographic data.
• Contribute to the foundational cartographic principles and technical documentation for Esri's map design style guide, ensuring consistency and quality across all visual outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits at the intersection of marketing, cartography, and UX/UI design, focusing on translating complex geographic information into engaging and understandable visual narratives for a broad audience. The emphasis on "experience designer" suggests a focus on the user journey and interaction with geographic content, rather than purely technical cartographic production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design teammates, strategists, writers, researchers, and business stakeholders to produce static, animated, and interactive maps for Esri.com and marketing campaigns.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of mapmaking workflows and production systems to enable high-quality cartography at an enterprise scale.
• Help define the foundational cartographic principles for Esri's map design style guide and contribute to clear, practical technical documentation.
• Storyboard, design, prototype, and build engaging interactive web experiences that effectively showcase Esri software capabilities to diverse audiences.
• Work with UX researchers to conduct usability studies, gathering insights into interactive expectations and measuring the success of cartographic designs using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Explore and invent novel techniques to showcase the power of ArcGIS, identifying new ways to connect the power of geography to emerging audiences.
• Act as a mapping evangelist, staying abreast of emerging trends, sharing expertise, mentoring junior team members, and championing the value of geographic thinking within the community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design, technical execution, and strategic contribution. The emphasis on "production systems" and "enterprise scale" indicates a need for efficient and repeatable processes, crucial for a large organization like Esri. The "mapping evangelist" aspect suggests an outward-facing role requiring strong communication and advocacy skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Geography, Cartography, Computer Science, Data Visualization, Urban Planning, Architecture, or Information Design. Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in a field relevant to geographic thinking and cartographic production.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated professional experience in geographic information system (GIS) technology.
• Outstanding written, verbal communication, and presentation skills, with a clear passion for geographic storytelling.
• Ability to make complex geographic ideas understandable to non-cartography audiences.
• Foundational comprehension of cartographic principles and data visualization techniques.
• Experience in designing and producing static and interactive maps.
• Proficiency in collaborating with cross-functional teams, including designers, strategists, and researchers.

Preferred Skills:

• JavaScript (JS), HTML, CSS, and front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js).
• Experience with Git and GitHub for version control and collaborative development.
• Database management skills, particularly with PostgreSQL and SQLite.
• Proficiency in video/animation software such as AfterEffects, Premiere Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.
• Experience with 3D modeling/rendering software like Blender, Cinema 4D, or Maya.
• Master's degree in Geography, Cartography, Computer Science, Data Visualization, Urban Planning, Architecture, or Information Design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills indicate a strong leaning towards digital design and development, particularly for web-based interactive experiences. For operations professionals, understanding the technical stack and how it supports the delivery of marketing content is key. Experience with animation and 3D modeling suggests an emphasis on visually rich and dynamic content.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A link to an online portfolio or PDF samples of recent work is mandatory for application.
• Samples must clearly communicate your approach to evidence-driven problem-solving on real-world projects.
• Demonstrate skills in developing evidence-based insights and design solutions through a mix of low- and high-fidelity deliverables.
• Showcase examples of interactive web experiences with a focus on geographic data visualization.
• Include projects that highlight your ability to translate complex data into clear and compelling visual narratives.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase experience in contributing to or defining mapmaking workflows and production systems for scalable output.
• Provide examples of how you've applied foundational cartographic principles to design style guides or technical documentation.
• Demonstrate a structured approach to storyboarding, designing, and prototyping interactive experiences.
• Include instances where you've collaborated with UX researchers to conduct usability studies and gather feedback to inform design iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is critical for this role. Candidates should curate examples that not only showcase aesthetic design but also a robust process for problem-solving, data interpretation, and user-centered design within a cartographic context. For operations professionals, demonstrating an understanding of scalable workflows and design system contributions would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $74,880 - $124,800 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Industry-leading health and welfare benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees and their families.
• 401(k) and profit-sharing programs.
• Minimum accrual of 80 hours of vacation leave per year.
• Twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with a focus on delivering high-quality cartographic and design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a UX/UI and cartography role with 2-5 years of experience in the Redlands, CA area. The comprehensive benefits package reflects Esri's commitment to employee well-being and long-term engagement. The "minimum accrual of 80 hours of vacation leave" is a baseline, suggesting potential for increased accrual with tenure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Geographic Information System (GIS) Software and Services. Esri is a global leader in GIS technology, empowering organizations worldwide to make data-driven decisions and solve complex challenges. Company Size: Esri is a large, established technology company, which implies robust processes, a significant market presence, and opportunities for large-scale impact. Founded: Esri was founded in 1969, giving it a long history of innovation and expertise in the geospatial domain.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a dedicated mapping visualization team, working closely with brand and content strategy teams.
• This suggests a collaborative environment where cartographic expertise is integrated into broader marketing initiatives.
• Reporting likely involves a design lead or manager within the marketing or product design department.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on user-centered design principles and data-driven insights derived from usability studies.
• Focus on creating "cutting-edge geographic experiences" and "engaging interactive web experiences."
• Commitment to storytelling and making complex geographic data accessible to diverse audiences.
• Development of scalable production systems and adherence to design style guides indicates a structured approach to creative output.

Company Website: https://www.esri.com/careers/4800281007?gh_jid=4800281007

📝 Enhancement Note: Esri's culture is deeply rooted in its mission to advance understanding and address global challenges through GIS. For a marketing UX/UI role, this translates to a focus on using geographic data for positive impact and clear communication. The company's size suggests opportunities to influence large-scale projects and processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is likely at an intermediate level, requiring foundational experience and the ability to work with some autonomy, while also contributing to team processes and strategy. Reporting Structure: The role reports into a team focused on mapping visualization and marketing, likely under a Design Manager or Director. Collaboration with brand, content strategy, and UX research teams is integral. Operations Impact: The Cartographic Experience Designer directly impacts Esri's external brand perception and customer engagement by creating compelling visual narratives that showcase the power and accessibility of GIS technology. This role bridges the gap between technical capabilities and market communication, influencing how potential users understand and adopt Esri's solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialize further in interactive web design, animation, or 3D visualization for cartographic applications.
• Transition into lead design or art direction roles within marketing or product teams.
• Develop expertise in UX research methodologies specifically for geospatial data.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of Esri's visual storytelling and brand expression through geographic data.
• Gain exposure to diverse subject matters (urban systems, marine, demographics, etc.) through project work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth in this role can lead towards senior design positions, specialized technical expertise in interactive mapping or 3D visualization, or management roles within design or marketing operations. The opportunity to work with a variety of data types and applications provides a broad foundation for career development within the geospatial industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role at Esri's headquarters in Redlands, CA. This implies a traditional office environment with opportunities for in-person collaboration and engagement. Office Location(s): Redlands, California, United States. This location offers a Southern California setting with access to various amenities and a strong tech community presence.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative office space designed to foster teamwork and cross-pollination of ideas among design, marketing, and GIS professionals.
• Access to Esri's proprietary GIS software and potentially specialized hardware for design and visualization will be provided.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with team members, stakeholders, and potentially leadership to refine designs and strategies.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility potentially available based on team needs and project deadlines. The focus will be on delivering high-quality outputs and meeting project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role at Esri's headquarters offers immersion in a company culture dedicated to geospatial innovation. The collaborative workspace is designed to facilitate the creative process and knowledge sharing, which is crucial for a role that blends technical skills with design thinking.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and relevant experience.
• Technical/Design Assessment: Potential for a skills-based exercise or case study focused on map design, data visualization, or interactive prototyping.
• Team/Hiring Manager Interviews: Discussions about experience, approach to problem-solving, collaboration style, and fit with the team's workflow and company culture.
• Presentation: Candidates may be asked to walk through their portfolio, explaining their design process, rationale, and the impact of their work.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent the required skills, particularly those involving geographic data, interactive web design, and storytelling.
• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, design, testing), the tools used, and the final outcome/impact.
• Highlight Cartographic Elements: Emphasize how you translated geographic concepts into visual designs, your understanding of map projections, symbology, and spatial data representation.
• Demonstrate UX/UI Thinking: Explain your user-centered approach, how you considered user needs, and how you tested or iterated on designs.
• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to speak in detail about your design choices, challenges faced, and how you measured success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Esri's products and the types of maps and data visualizations they produce.
• Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a mixed audience of technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Be prepared to discuss emerging trends in cartography, data visualization, and interactive web design.
• Consider how you would approach a hypothetical project involving a specific type of geographic data (e.g., demographic, environmental, transportation).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and the potential for a design challenge means candidates must meticulously prepare their work to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also a robust, repeatable process for delivering impactful visual solutions. Understanding Esri's core business and how GIS is applied across various industries will be crucial for framing responses.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• GIS Software: ArcGIS (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS StoryMaps) - foundational knowledge is key.
• Design & Prototyping: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator for vector graphics, Photoshop for raster editing), Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD.
• Web Technologies (Preferred): JavaScript (JS), HTML, CSS, front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js).
• Version Control (Preferred): Git, GitHub.
• Database Management (Preferred): PostgreSQL, SQLite.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to track user engagement with interactive maps.
• Familiarity with usability testing tools and methodologies to gather qualitative and quantitative data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, understanding how marketing content is delivered and tracked within a CRM (like Salesforce) or marketing automation platform could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in ArcGIS is a given, but the preferred skills in web development and design tools are critical for creating interactive experiences. For operations professionals, understanding how these design outputs integrate into marketing workflows and digital platforms is a valuable perspective.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to explore and invent new techniques for showcasing geographic data.
• Collaboration: Working closely with diverse teams (brand, content, UX researchers) to achieve common goals.
• Data-Driven: Utilizing insights from usability studies and data analysis to inform design decisions.
• Storytelling: A passion for communicating complex ideas and making geography accessible through engaging narratives.
• Excellence: Producing high-quality cartography at an enterprise scale.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional teamwork is central to the role, requiring effective communication and partnership with various departments.
• Expect a culture that values constructive feedback and iterative design processes, informed by user research and team input.
• Will involve sharing expertise and championing the value of geographic thinking across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with a design-centric, user-focused approach within a technically sophisticated environment. For operations candidates, demonstrating an understanding of how design processes integrate with marketing strategy and how data informs decisions will resonate well.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating complex, multi-faceted geographic data into easily understandable and visually appealing narratives for diverse audiences.
• Balancing the technical requirements of GIS and web development with creative design principles.
• Producing high-quality cartography at an enterprise scale while maintaining innovation and design integrity.
• Staying current with rapidly evolving trends in UX/UI design, data visualization, and geospatial technology.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in interactive web design and front-end development specific to geospatial applications.
• Gain advanced skills in animation, video production, and 3D modeling for enhanced storytelling.
• Become an expert in Esri's product suite and its application in marketing and user experience.
• Develop leadership skills through mentoring and contributing to strategic design initiatives.
• Attend industry conferences and training to stay at the forefront of cartographic and UX/UI design trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for growth by combining specialized cartographic knowledge with in-demand UX/UI and digital design skills. The challenges are inherent to working with complex data and cutting-edge technology, providing ample room for skill development and career advancement within the geospatial industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex dataset for a non-technical audience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your cartographic storytelling and communication skills).
• "Walk us through a project where you collaborated with a UX research team. How did their insights influence your design decisions?" (Highlight your understanding of user-centered design and cross-functional collaboration).
• "How do you approach establishing foundational cartographic principles for a design style guide? What key elements would you include?" (Demonstrate your understanding of design systems and process definition).
• "What are some emerging trends in interactive web mapping or data visualization that you find exciting, and how might they be applied at Esri?" (Showcase your industry awareness and forward-thinking).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Esri's mission and its role in advancing geographic understanding?" (Align your passion with the company's purpose).
• "How do you see your skills contributing to Esri's marketing efforts and showcasing the power of GIS?" (Connect your abilities to the company's business objectives).
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative atmosphere." (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your role and the project's objective. Then, detail your process (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, final delivery). Conclude with the results and impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality images, interactive demos, or short video clips to showcase your best work. Ensure any interactive elements are smooth and functional.
• Narrative: Tell a compelling story about each project, focusing on the problem you solved and the value you delivered. Explain your design rationale clearly and concisely.
• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved user satisfaction, conversion rates).

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to elaborate on your portfolio pieces, focusing on the "why" behind your design choices and the measurable impact of your work. Understanding Esri's product suite and its application in various industries will allow you to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Cartographic Experience Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Esri careers page.
• Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases relevant cartographic and UX/UI design projects, and clearly articulates your problem-solving process. Prioritize interactive web experiences and data visualization examples.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 2+ years of experience in cartographic production, GIS technology, UX/UI design, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Practice: Rehearse walkthroughs of your portfolio projects, focusing on explaining your design decisions, process, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your understanding of Esri's products and the geospatial industry.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Esri's mission, products, recent marketing campaigns, and their commitment to geographic storytelling. Understand their values and how your contributions align with them.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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