We solve business problems using data-driven maps, spatial analysis,
and web-based interactive maps. We've built a world-class
reputation by emphasizing technical excellence, customer service, and high
ethical standards.
We receive many
applications each month. We particularly notice inquiries from people who have
earned high marks in college; have outstanding personal references; and have top-notch
communications skills.
We design and build software, analyze user requirements,
present alternative solutions, and
follow-up to ensure customer needs are met long-term. While geography and
cartography play a role, they are not prerequisites.
Downtown Seattle location
One Union Square, Floor 30
Our three step application process is intended
to be as painless as possible. We can't promise to acknowledge your application if
you do not include the information we have requested.
Before you apply
Read the Job Description linked above?
Perused our web site to understand who we are and
what we do?
Understand our hiring process as outlined on this
page?
Step
1--Resume, cover letter & Skills matrix
Please send:
Cover letter and resume and job skills matrix.
Please include:
-- Current residence (city/state);
-- USA citizenship or other work authorization;
-- College/university GPA; and
-- Confirm you want a permanent position, not a short-term
assignment.
College/university
transcript: Can be a photocopy; it doesn't have be a "certified
copy".
Writing sample: At least 5 pages from a
report, article or letter written entirely by you. It can be about
anything and does not have to be about software, GIS, or maps.
References: 3 work-related names, with phone numbers and
email addresses.
Work samples: e.g., sample code, sample GIS maps, or other items related to
the specific position.
Step
3--Interview
Personal visit &
interview. This is usually essential. In exceptional cases,
if you cannot visit Seattle, we can try phone interviews.
We are a small company. We tend to shy away from hierarchy and job
titles. We try to set up our work flow and procedures to be as
automated as possible, avoiding paper where we can. Each team
member has a lot of individual autonomy and responsibility.
We are all "consultants" to each other. Everyone's opinion is
important. We prefer permanent full-time employees, not
contractors or part-timers.
Location
Our Seattle office is in downtown Seattle, in the One Union
Square building. It's a modern, even a classy, building. We
like it because it is easy to find; has convenient bus
and ferry connections; and has bike racks in the parking garage.
Our office is open, without private individual offices. All
Washington State office building
are 100% non-smoking.
Customer-focus
We go way out of our way to satisfy our clients. This is good
business, and it creates a positive dynamic between us and our clients.
It is more fun to work with clients that like us and our work.
Long-term customer satisfaction is more important that short-run project
profitability.
Stability and Growth
We are a 15-year old company with a history of measured growth.
We continue to be recognized by our customers and suppliers
as an outstanding performer. For example, in each year since 2000, MapInfo Corporation
has awarded us its "Business Partner of the Year" award for North America.
We earn revenue from services and product sales. For example, clients pay us for custom
software engineering on a per-hour basis. We also earn revenue by selling spatial
software, digital maps, and other data. We set goals for our business and work
teams, but no one is paid on a "commission" basis. Salaries are reviewed
at least annually; usually more often. Besides salary, other benefits for full-time
permanent staff include the following:
Annual profit sharing bonus
Vacation
Sick leave
Medical benefits
Dental
Optical
Transit pass
Retirement/Savings program with employer match
Charitable contributions matching
Hybrid/Low emissions car purchase subsidy.
Although not a formal benefit, we also have staff
retreats and attend professional conferences and educational events from
time-to-time. We offer job flexibility and other non-tangible
benefits.
Seattle and
the Puget Sound area are known for fresh air, stunning mountains, music, and a huge variety of
recreational opportunities. It is the home of Microsoft, Adobe, Boeing, Starbucks,
Nordstrom,
Amazon and other energetic well-known companies. Yes, the traffic
can be bad and it does rain. Judge for your self after checking these
links:
By car or ferry from/to Seattle:
3 hours to
- Mt. Rainier,
North Cascades, or
Olympic National Parks;
3 hours to
- Vancouver, BC/Portland/Victoria, BC.
Non-stop air travel from/to Seattle:
4 hrs to
- Anchorage/Dallas/Chicago;
5-6 hrs to
- Honolulu/Mexico/NYC/Boston/Miami;
10 hrs to
- London/Amsterdam/Copenhagen/ Paris/Frankfurt/Tokyo/Seoul/Taipei/Beijing.
At this time,
SGSI is not hiring people without US citizenship, green cards, or equivalent permanent
work authorization.
In general it is hard for non-US citizens to get permission to work in the
USA. If you are a foreign national, without a USA work visa, we may still be able to
hire you. The U.S. does issue a limited number of so-called "H1-B"
visas. Only a limited number of these visas are issued each U.S. fiscal year (begins
October 1). The quota for the visas is typically fully used up by approximately
June. The process of applying for an H1-B visa involves extra work and risk for us,
and only applies to applicants with at least a University-level Bachelor's
degree. For an exceptional candidate, we are willing to consider it.
Because of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
Canadian citizens and Mexican citizens have a somewhat easier time obtaining work
authorizations in the US. We are not able to give you legal advice on how to get US
work documents. You might want to search the WWW or Usenet to find information about
the "TN-1" permit for Canadian citizens or the "H1-B" visa option for
citizens of non-NAFTA countries.
For all applicants, and particularly if you are a non-USA
citizen, we won't be able to consider you unless you can supply all of the information we
need.
You can't judge a book
by its cover. Government regulations aside, we believe it is unwise, unkind, and bad
business to discriminate in employment based on race, religion, ethnic origin, marital
status, sexual preference, age, non-job-related disabilities and the like. We happen
to like diversity. SGSI is committed to and supports equal opportunity in the
workplace, free from discrimination based on factors that are un-related to job
performance.
