Lead Enterprise API & Platform Engineer

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc. (SGA) is searching for a Lead Enterprise API & Platform Engineer for a direct placement assignment with one of our premier Insurance clients.

Locations: NYC (Hudson Yards), Holmdel, NJ, or Bethlehem, PA
Hybrid: 3 days onsite per week

This is a senior enterprise platform leadership role within the client's API Center of Excellence (COE), focused on API-first architecture, AI-native enablement, and enterprise modernization. The Lead Engineer will help define and execute the technology components of the API Hub Services, influence enterprise standards, and guide engineering teams to deliver scalable, secure, and future-ready platforms.

This role blends deep technical expertise with architectural ownership and strategic influence, working closely with principals, enterprise architects, product leaders, and senior engineering stakeholders across the organization.
Responsibilities API & Platform Strategy

• Serve as a senior technical advisor for enterprise API standards, architecture patterns, orchestration, gateways, mediation, and observability platforms.
• Drive cohesive API-first platform design and scalable enterprise integration strategies.
• Contribute to and help execute the evolution of API Hub Services aligned with the firm's API-centric modernization roadmap.

Modernization & AI-Native Enablement

• Define architecture patterns, strategies, and reusable templates to modernize APIs and platforms for AI-native capabilities, including agent-to-agent communication and intelligent system integration.
• Support transformation of legacy systems into cloud-native, API-centric and composable architectures.

Platform & Cloud Engineering

• Design and implement secure, cloud-native platforms using microservices, service mesh technologies (Istio, AWS Lattice), and container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Play a key role in API Gateway, Agent Gateway, monitoring, and observability platform initiatives.
• Ensure platforms are scalable, resilient, and aligned with enterprise reliability and security expectations.

Lifecycle Governance & Standards

• Drive API lifecycle governance including versioning, deprecation, migration strategies, and platform observability.
• Partner with enterprise architects and senior leaders to define standards, evaluate technologies, and publish strategic roadmaps balancing short-term execution and long-term vision.

Enterprise Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with product managers, engineering leaders, and architects to influence key architectural and platform decisions.
• Mentor engineering teams on best practices for API design, platform engineering, and AI integration.
• Foster a culture of engineering excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Tools, Platforms & Emerging Technologies

• Lead or support the evaluation, selection, and adoption of enterprise platforms and tools supporting API development, security, and scalability.
• Track emerging technologies and assess their applicability to the enterprise technology stack.
• Support audit readiness, risk assessments, and compliance with security and data privacy standards.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in software engineering, architecture, and enterprise platform delivery.
• Deep expertise in cloud-native and modernization architectures, including microservices, event-driven systems, and composable architecture (MASA).
• Strong hands-on experience with backend and platform technologies such as Java/Spring Boot, Python, or .NET/C#; full-stack exposure (React, Node.js, TypeScript) is a plus.
• Extensive experience building scalable APIs using REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and asynchronous protocols, with strong grounding in Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and enterprise integration patterns.
• Proven experience designing and implementing platforms using service mesh (Istio, AWS Lattice), Docker, Kubernetes, and API Gateway platforms (AWS strongly preferred).
• Hands-on experience with Kafka, Apache Camel, or similar messaging and integration frameworks.
• Strong database experience across SQL and NoSQL platforms.
• Familiarity with DevOps and infrastructure-as-code tools including Terraform, Jenkins, GitHub/GitLab CI/CD.
• Advanced knowledge of API and cloud security, including OAuth 2.0/2.1, JWT, mTLS, RBAC/ABAC, Zero Trust, rate limiting, DDoS protection, and OWASP API Top 10.
• Experience with observability and monitoring tools such as OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, Grafana, and OpenSearch.
• Proven ability to mentor engineers, influence technical direction across teams, and operate effectively in complex, cross-functional enterprise environments.
• Experience participating in technology audits, compliance reviews, and risk mitigation efforts.
• Experience with emerging protocols (MCP, A2A, ACP) is preferred but not required.

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.
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