Nearmap, Inc. – machine learning tech recruitment for InsurTech map imagery leader

Nikoloz Khotcholava

Last updated on November 28, 2025 | 12 min read

Nearmap Inc. is an American InsurTech imagery provider using high-resolution aerial data and machine learning for underwriting and claims. To meet product deadlines and expand AI features, the company needed to scale geospatial engineering and speed data processing on AWS and GCP.

An internal search ran for 60 days, with few viable profiles identified. The mandate covered a Head of Artificial Intelligence, a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, a Senior Salesforce Developer, and a Senior Technical Recruiter. DevsData LLC took over with targeted sourcing and strict technical screening. A shortlist landed in 6 business days, and 4 hires closed in 28, stabilizing delivery for Nearmap’s US program.

Client overview

Nearmap Inc., established in Australia and now active across the US market, is headquartered in Barangaroo. Its mission is to supply insurers and related industries with high-resolution aerial imagery supported by artificial intelligence for more accurate underwriting and claims management.

Key services and areas of focus include:

• AI-powered geospatial analytics that transform imagery into structured risk data
• Maps API solutions designed for integration with insurance workflows
• Proprietary deep-learning tools converting raw captures into practical insights
• Regular imagery refresh cycles to maintain data accuracy
• SaaS-based platform infrastructure for scalable deployment

The company has been publicly listed since 2017 and reports annual revenue of about $146 million. Website traffic exceeds 157,000 monthly visits, reflecting active adoption among insurance providers. Nearmap has broadened its presence in Europe while strengthening operations in North America. This expansion underscores its long-term plan to combine geospatial technology with insurance-focused analytics, maintaining relevance in a highly regulated industry.

Project scope and objectives

After more than 2 months of internal recruiting with no successful outcomes, Nearmap Inc. turned to DevsData LLC to fill its strategic positions. The short timeline reflected direct pressure from product deadlines tied to insurance underwriting and claims solutions, where delays could jeopardize commitments to US clients. DevsData LLC was engaged to deliver qualified profiles rapidly while ensuring uncompromising technical standards.

The scope included senior appointments across artificial intelligence, engineering, platform development, and recruitment support. In particular, the Head of AI was tasked with guiding the rollout of production-ready geospatial models and driving automation in aerial imagery analysis. The role also covered scaling data pipelines on AWS and GCP to sustain delivery demands. To complement this leadership post, the client sought support from additional senior hires, including a Machine Learning Engineer, a Salesforce Developer, and a dedicated Technical Recruiter to expand capacity.

Challenges and constraints

Nearmap Inc. entered this engagement with critical hiring gaps that put its InsurTech delivery at risk. The company needed senior specialists while facing deadlines that its internal recruiting could not meet. DevsData LLC addressed several obstacles that required a precise approach.

Prolonged vacancy after stalled internal hiring

Nearmap had been searching for more than 60 days without results, leaving projects behind schedule. DevsData LLC responded immediately and presented a shortlist within the first week, restoring progress and giving decision-makers qualified profiles to review.

Complex technical mix

The client required candidates with knowledge of geospatial data, cloud infrastructure, and insurance systems. DevsData LLC designed screening tasks that reflected Nearmap’s workflows, testing readiness in Python, TensorFlow, and Kubernetes.

Critical Head of AI role

The leadership position demanded a rare combination of strategic oversight and technical fluency. DevsData LLC targeted senior AI professionals through specialized outreach and designed custom evaluation scenarios to measure both management ability and coding expertise, while also confirming readiness to guide model deployment on AWS and GCP.

Tight hiring cycle

With multiple senior roles open at once, Nearmap needed results in under a month. Daily alignment sessions and adaptive sourcing kept momentum high, and all four hires were completed in 28 days, cutting earlier cycles by more than half.

To clarify the scope of expertise, the following table shows the technology focus areas defined for each position:

These constraints required a partner with the capacity to balance niche requirements against strict delivery expectations. DevsData LLC’s structured approach enabled Nearmap to secure qualified hires quickly and maintain its US InsurTech program without further delays.

Strategic recruitment approach

DevsData LLC began by mapping the most relevant regions for talent acquisition. The search concentrated on US metropolitan hubs with InsurTech and geospatial expertise, while also extending into Canada and selected European clusters where machine learning and Salesforce specialists had prior exposure to mapping platforms. This balance of geographies gave Nearmap access to technically aligned candidates without slowing delivery, as feedback loops were kept short.

Sourcing drew on multiple tailored channels. From DevsData LLC’s internal records of more than 65,000 technical professionals, specialists with Python, TensorFlow, and Kubernetes expertise were targeted for the AI and engineering positions. The Salesforce and recruiting roles were evaluated through separate screening paths to reflect their distinct requirements.

Additional outreach targeted machine learning groups, Salesforce-focused networks, and university research departments with expertise in geospatial processing. Referrals from prior placements added vetted contacts, and LinkedIn campaigns were narrowed to roles that had worked with AWS or GCP in production environments. Each stream was assessed weekly, with resources shifted toward the ones producing the highest conversion of relevant candidates.

The evaluation framework prioritized demonstration over credentials. Applicants completed technical tasks replicating insurance risk scenarios on cloud-based datasets, followed by troubleshooting tests on containerized pipelines. Structured interviews measured communication and practical decision-making, so only those who showed both technical fluency and readiness for distributed US teams advanced. Cultural alignment was also reviewed to confirm adaptability to Nearmap’s regulated sector.

The results of this multi-step evaluation are reflected in the recruitment funnel, which shows how candidates progressed from initial sourcing to final hires.

“Our mandate was unusual because the client needed senior specialists across AI, Salesforce, and recruitment within weeks. We designed role-specific tasks tied directly to Nearmap’s workflows, which revealed who could contribute from the start rather than after months of ramp-up.” – Arev P., Recruitment Specialist at DevsData LLC

Results and impact

DevsData LLC completed all four senior hires for Nearmap Inc. within 28 days, succeeding where the internal search had stalled for more than 60 days without results. Candidate assessments showed a 17 percent pass rate (40 out of 240 screened), demonstrating a selective process aligned with Nearmap’s technical and operational standards. The accelerated delivery allowed Nearmap to maintain focus on its US InsurTech initiatives.

Key outcomes included:

• All senior positions were closed through direct sourcing and targeted assessments, eliminating the stalled internal search effort.
• Screening tasks produced candidates whose technical proficiency matched Nearmap’s production environment, reducing the need for extended onboarding.
• Cultural and communication evaluations ensured smooth integration into US-based distributed teams.
• A structured evaluation pipeline allowed Nearmap to establish repeatable standards for future specialist hires in AI and geospatial engineering.

These results stabilized Nearmap’s delivery schedules and strengthened its US operations while creating a foundation for continued technical growth. The client reported satisfaction with both the speed and quality of the recruitment engagement.

Conclusion

Nearmap Inc. faced senior hiring gaps that put imagery analytics for underwriting and claims at risk in the US market. An internal search extended beyond two months, which threatened release timing and the stability of production pipelines. The business impact was direct; without the right leaders and engineers, geospatial data would not move into production fast enough to support product goals.

DevsData LLC ran a focused recruitment program aligned to Nearmap’s stack and operating model. A shortlist arrived in the first week, then all four roles were completed within 28 days. The hires, a Head of AI, a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, a Senior Salesforce Developer, and a Technical Recruiter, cleared rigorous technical checks with an 85% pass rate.

Compared with earlier attempts, the engagement removed the burden of prolonged internal recruiting and freed the client’s team to focus on delivery priorities. With the new staff, Python pipelines and TensorFlow models advanced toward production, and deployments on AWS and GCP progressed without slipping dates.

This engagement shows how a specialized partner supports high-growth work where requirements are narrow and timelines are tight. DevsData LLC applies a methodical process and regional reach that fit demanding InsurTech and geospatial analytics programs.

If your company is under pressure to fill senior AI, engineering, or recruitment roles on a tight timeline, DevsData LLC can help. Reach out at contact@devsdata.com or learn more at www.devsdata.com.

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Nikoloz Khotcholava Copywriter and Marketer

Nika Khotcholava is a dedicated copywriter with four years of experience crafting engaging content across various platforms. His background in social media management has sharpened his ability to communicate ideas effectively and collaborate closely with designers to bring creative visions to life. Nika thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys learning something new every day.

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