API Engineer, Mid-level with Security Clearance

Responsibilities

• Serve as an API Engineer on a scrum team, responsible for the execution of the following tasks:
• Designing, deploying, and optimizing robust API platforms for efficient data exchange, system integrations, and secure communication
• Writing secure, efficient server-side logic and integrating APIs with backend systems and databases
• Implementing authentication (OAuth, JWT), rate limiting, and monitoring to prevent bottlenecks and vulnerabilities
• Building programmatic API validation, integration, and resiliency testing, often integrating with CI/CD pipelines
• Maintaining detailed documentation so developers can easily understand and consume the APIs
• Explaining technical considerations at related meetings, including those with internal clients

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in backend or platform engineering, including distributed systems and API design
• 3+ years of experience in software development using Java or Python; 2+ years of experience with designing, deploying, and operating real-time, low-latency API platforms at scale such as Apigee, Gravitee, Kong, AWS API Gateway, or Mulesoft
• 1+ years of experience with DevOps practices and technologies, including Docker, Helm, Kubernetes, and GitOps workflows
• Experience with protocols, including HTTP, gRPC, or WebSockets, caching, load balancing, and API security
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP
• Experience with Git and collaboration tools, including Jenkins, JIRA, Confluence, Nexus, or Bitbucket
• Experience in gathering requirements and engaging with clients
• Experience with SQL, Server-Side Development, Middleware, Application or Data Integration, API Development, Core Application Systems, Node.js, Groovy, Scala, Spring Cloud, Spring Core, Spring-Boot, or Spring Data
• Experience with using a message broker, such as Kafka or RabbitMQ
• CompTIA Security+ Certification or higher
• DoD 8570 cybersecurity certification
• Familiarity with software delivery methodologies such as agile/scrum
• Strong problem-solving and design skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and customer service skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment is crucial
• Ability to work in a self-guided manner; excellent organizational skills