API & Service Layer Architect

Overview

Remote
$70 - $100
Contract - Independent
Contract - 6 Month(s)
No Travel Required

Skills

API Architecture
Backend Development
Authentication & Security
Database
Azure Cloud Services
Integration Patterns
DevOps

Job Details

API & Service Layer Architect

Position Overview

Contract Duration: 6 months
Location: Remote or Hybrid (Kansas City area)
Rate: Hourly (contract position)
Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship

About the Project

Lead the API and service layer architecture for a comprehensive expansion of our lending platform. You ll design and implement a scalable microservices architecture that connects a modern React frontend to Azure Databricks data lake, while maintaining integrations with Salesforce, loan servicing, and document management systems.

Core Responsibilities

  • Architect and implement RESTful and GraphQL API gateway serving React 18+ frontend applications
  • Design microservices architecture with clear separation of concerns and domain boundaries
  • Build service layer integrating Azure Databricks data lake with operational business logic
  • Implement authentication/authorization using Azure AD with RBAC and multi-factor authentication
  • Create API specifications and documentation using OpenAPI/Swagger standards
  • Establish caching strategies (Redis) and performance optimization patterns for <500ms API response times
  • Design event-driven patterns for real-time data updates from Databricks streaming pipelines

Required Technical Skills

  • API Architecture: RESTful design, GraphQL schema design, API gateway patterns, microservices architecture
  • Backend Development:js (Express.js) OR Python (FastAPI), with strong async/concurrent programming
  • Authentication & Security: OAuth 2.0, JWT, Azure AD/MSAL integration, RBAC implementation
  • Database: PostgreSQL (relational design, query optimization), Redis (caching strategies)
  • Azure Cloud Services: App Services, Container Instances/AKS, API Management, Application Insights
  • Integration Patterns: Service mesh, message queues, event-driven architecture, circuit breakers
  • DevOps: Docker containerization, CI/CD (Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions), Infrastructure as Code

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with Azure Databricks REST API integration and data lake access patterns
  • GraphQL implementation experience with complex data relationships
  • Salesforce API integration (REST/SOAP, bulk APIs)
  • TypeScript for Node.js backend development
  • Kubernetes orchestration and service mesh (Istio, Linkerd)
  • API rate limiting, throttling, and quota management
  • Agricultural finance, fintech, or loan servicing domain knowledge
  • SOC 2 Type II compliance implementation experience

Technical Environment

  • Backend:js 18+/Python 3.9+, Express.js/FastAPI
  • APIs: REST, GraphQL, OpenAPI/Swagger documentation
  • Database: PostgreSQL, Redis
  • Cloud: Microsoft Azure (App Services, Databricks, Key Vault, API Management)
  • Auth: Azure AD, MSAL, OAuth 2.0
  • Frontend: React 18+ with TypeScript, Redux Toolkit (API integration awareness)
  • Tools: Git/GitHub, Docker, Azure DevOps, Postman/Insomnia
  • Monitoring: Application Insights, Azure Monitor

Success Criteria

  • API gateway operational with <500ms average response time and 99.9% uptime
  • Complete OpenAPI documentation enabling self-service frontend development
  • Authentication/authorization framework supporting role-based access with MFA
  • Comprehensive test coverage (>85%) with unit, integration, and contract tests
  • Security controls meeting SOC 2 Type II requirements
  • Production-ready deployment with monitoring, logging, and alerting

How to Apply

Submit your resume to with a git portfolio showing work in API/microservices architectures you ve designed and scaled, Azure cloud service implementations with authentication/security and/or GraphQL or complex REST API projects. Also showcase any Integration work with data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, etc.)

CFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.