Lead API Developer

Lead the design, development, testing, and deployment of RESTful APIs and microservices.

Define API architecture, standards, best practices, and development guidelines.

Develop secure, scalable, and high-performance API solutions.

Design and implement API integrations between internal systems and third-party applications.

Work with authentication and authorization protocols, including OAuth 2.0, JWT, and OpenID Connect.

Manage API lifecycle activities, including versioning, documentation, monitoring, and maintenance.

Collaborate with architects, business analysts, DevOps teams, and other stakeholders.

Conduct code reviews and ensure code quality, security, and performance standards.

Troubleshoot complex API issues and optimize application performance.

Implement API gateways, rate limiting, caching, logging, and error-handling mechanisms.

Mentor developers and provide technical leadership to the engineering team.

Support CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and deployment processes.

Ensure compliance with security standards and organizational policies.

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

7+ years of experience in software development and API engineering, including technical leadership.

Strong experience developing RESTful APIs and microservices.

Proficiency in one or more backend programming languages, such as Java, Python, C#, JavaScript/Node.js, or Go.

Strong knowledge of API design principles, HTTP protocols, JSON, and XML.

Experience with API gateways such as Apigee, Kong, AWS API Gateway, or Azure API Management.

Knowledge of authentication and authorization mechanisms, including OAuth 2.0, JWT, and OpenID Connect.

Experience with relational and NoSQL databases.

Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.

Experience with Git, CI/CD, automated testing, and Agile development methodologies.

Strong leadership, communication, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.