API Architect Lead Specialist

Job Title: API Architect Lead Specialist
Location: Cary North Carolina
Experience: 12 Years
Employment Type: Contract
Interview Type: In-Person or Webcam

We are seeking a highly experienced API Architect Lead Specialist to design and implement enterprise-level API solutions that support large-scale data and application integration. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in API architecture microservices integration strategies cloud platforms and API management frameworks. This role involves leading architecture initiatives guiding engineering teams defining standards and ensuring secure and scalable API delivery across the organization.

This is a senior leadership role that requires strong technical knowledge hands-on development experience and the ability to collaborate with business and technology stakeholders to drive strategic integration and modernization initiatives.

• Lead the architecture and design of enterprise-grade APIs and microservices solutions.

• Define API standards governance models design guidelines and best practices across the organization.

• Work closely with product engineering and infrastructure teams to deliver scalable and secure API solutions.

• Architect and implement API management platforms including authentication authorization throttling versioning and monitoring.

• Evaluate existing system architecture and recommend improvements optimization opportunities and modernization initiatives.

• Participate in development planning design reviews and architecture blueprints.

• Lead integration efforts using REST GraphQL SOAP event-driven architecture and message-based systems.

• Ensure alignment with security compliance performance and reliability standards.

• Mentor and support development teams throughout lifecycle phases.

• Work with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions.

• 12 years of experience in enterprise application development and API architecture.

• Strong expertise in API design RESTful services microservices architecture and integration frameworks.

• Experience with API management platforms such as Apigee Mulesoft Kong AWS API Gateway Azure API Management or similar.

• Deep understanding of cloud platforms (AWS Azure or Google Cloud).

• Hands-on experience with programming languages such as Java Python .

• Strong knowledge of OAuth2 JWT OpenID Connect and security best practices.

• Experience with event streaming platforms such as Kafka or similar technologies.

• Solid understanding of CI/CD pipelines containerization and DevOps practices (Docker Kubernetes Jenkins Git).

• Proven ability to collaborate with leadership and technical teams.

• Excellent analytical problem-solving and communication skills.

• Prior experience leading architecture decisions in complex enterprise environments.