What are the responsibilities and job description for the API Architect position at VDart, Inc.?
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