Java API Architect

JD

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished API Architect to join our Technology Division in Buffalo, New York. In this hybrid role, you will lead the design, governance, and strategic evolution of enterprise-grade API ecosystems serving our banking and financial services platforms. You will play a pivotal role in enabling digital transformation by building secure, scalable, and standards-compliant API architectures that support mission-critical banking operations.

This is a high-impact role requiring exceptional communication skills, deep operational knowledge, and the ability to conceptualize and drive architectural solutions across business processes and technology ecosystems.

Engineering Capability:

The API Architect is expected to demonstrate deep, hands-on engineering proficiency across the full API lifecycle. Key engineering capabilities include:

API Design & Development

1. Design, build, and maintain enterprise-scale REST, GraphQL, XML and event-driven (AsyncAPI) APIs.
2. Define and enforce API contracts, schemas, and versioning strategies across product teams.
3. Champion API-first development practices and developer experience (DX) across the organization.
4. Lead proof-of-concept (PoC) implementations for new API patterns and emerging integration paradigms.

Integration & Middleware Engineering

5. Architect integration patterns using enterprise message brokers (Kafka, RabbitMQ), and API gateways (Kong, AWS API Gateway, MuleSoft etc).
6. Design and govern event-driven and microservices architectures within a banking context.

Cloud & DevOps Engineering

7. Architect cloud-native API solutions on AWS.
8. Champion CI/CD pipelines for API deployment (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Nexus, Maven, Sonar).
9. Ensure API observability through distributed tracing, structured logging, and APM tooling (Splunk, AppDynamics, Prometheus).

Technical Experience:

Required Technical Skills

1. 10+ years of progressive software engineering experience, with at least 3+ years in a dedicated API architecture role.
2. Expert-level knowledge of RESTful API principles, OpenAPI / Swagger 3.x specification, and JSON:API standards.
3. Strong proficiency in programming languages & framework: Java, Springboot, Kotlin, Python, Node.js, Linux
4. Proven experience with API gateway configuration, rate limiting, throttling, caching, and traffic management policies.
5. Hands-on experience with SOA, microservices, and domain-driven design (DDD) architecture patterns.
6. Experience with OAuth 2.0, SAML, JWT for API authentication and authorization.

Banking-Specific Technical Experience (Preferred)

7. Experience designing APIs for core banking platforms (Temenos, Finacle, FIS, Jack Henry, or similar).
8. Familiarity with open banking frameworks FDX, Open Banking UK, PSD2, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) 1033 regulations.
9. Exposure to payment network APIs: Visa, Mastercard, ACH, SWIFT, Fedwire, and real-time payments (RTP/FedNow).
10. Knowledge of financial data standards: ISO 20022, XBRL, FpML, and FINRA reporting requirements.
11. Experience integrating with credit bureau APIs (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and KYC/AML service providers.

Tooling & Platform Proficiency

12. API Lifecycle Management: MuleSoft, Kong, AWS API Gateway.
13. Testing: JUnit, Postman, Insomnia, JMeter
14. Databases: Relational (Oracle, PostgreSQL), NoSQL (MongoDB, Redis, Cassandra), and data streaming (Kafka Streams).
15. Containerization & Orchestration: Docker & Containerization, Kubernetes, Helm, OpenShift.

Governance & Security:

The API Architect will play a critical role in maintaining the integrity, security, and compliance posture of all API assets across the enterprise.

API Governance Framework

1. Establish and operate an API Center of Excellence (CoE) defining governance policies, review processes, and API lifecycle management procedures.
2. Participate in Architecture Review Boards (ARBs) to evaluate new API proposals and ensure compliance with enterprise standards.
3. Define API maturity model assessments and drive consistent API quality scores across business units.
4. Manage the enterprise API catalog and developer portal ensuring accurate, up-to-date documentation and self-service onboarding.
5. Enforce versioning policies, deprecation timelines, and sunsetting processes to reduce technical debt.

Regulatory & Compliance Alignment

6. Ensure API designs comply with applicable banking regulations including PCI-DSS, SOX, GLBA, FFIEC guidance, and NY DFS cybersecurity regulations (23 NYCRR 500).
7. Implement data residency, data minimization, and privacy-by-design principles across all API designs.
8. Maintain comprehensive API audit logs and access trails required for regulatory examinations and internal audit functions.
9. Coordinate with Risk, Compliance, and Legal teams on API-related data governance and third-party vendor assessments.

Qualification and Education:

1. Master s or bachelor s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.
2. 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with 3+ years in API architecture or enterprise architecture roles.
3. Demonstrated experience leading architecture in a regulated industry
4. Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executive and non-technical stakeholders.
5. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering scalable enterprise solutions