API Architect

Job Title: API Architect

Work Location: Atlanta, GA (Hybrid)

Type: Contract

Day to Day Job Duties:

• Design, implement, and deploy API solutions across cloud-native environments, with a focus on AWS and distributed systems
• Lead the development and delivery of API and microservices-based solutions, including hands-on coding and technical leadership
• Collaborate with business leaders, product owners, and cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into scalable API architectures
• Define and enforce API design standards, guidelines, and best practices across the organization
• Create architecture designs and technical deliverables aligned with enterprise strategy and infrastructure standards
• Manage and prioritize API and product feature backlogs in an Agile environment
• Develop and maintain public and private APIs supporting multiple lines of business
• Ensure high availability, scalability, and performance of API platforms and distributed systems
• Work closely with QA/testing teams to ensure software quality and resolve defects
• Provide application support including troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and on-call support
• Participate in client discussions to understand requirements and provide consulting to internal stakeholders
• Build strong relationships with business, operations, and technology teams to deliver innovative solutions
• Contribute to enterprise architecture strategy, including evolving systems, policies, and governance frameworks

Basic Qualifications: (what are the skills required to this job with minimum years of experience on each)

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in software engineering, API development, and distributed systems
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in API design and development (RESTful APIs, microservices architecture)
• Minimum 3+ years of experience working with cloud platforms (preferably AWS: API Gateway, Lambda, ECS/EKS, SQS/SNS, etc.)
• Strong experience in designing and building scalable, highly available distributed systems
• Hands-on experience with API management, versioning, security (OAuth2, JWT), and governance
• Experience with Agile SDLC, backlog management, and working with product owners
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Java, Python, Node.js)
• Experience with cloud messaging and event-driven architectures
• Strong understanding of system integration patterns and ground-to-cloud connectivity
• Experience in debugging, testing, and production support of enterprise applications
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across business and technical teams

Travel:

• This position may require occasional travel (10–30%) depending on project and stakeholder needs.

Degree:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent work experience

Nice to Have: (But not a must)

• Experience in API platform strategy and enterprise-wide governance
• Exposure to multi-region and multi-cloud architectures
• Experience with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform/CloudFormation/CDK)
• Knowledge of GraphQL, gRPC, or event-driven API patterns
• Prior experience in financial services or regulated industries
• Experience mentoring teams or leading architecture initiatives