Head of Enterprise API & Platform Engineering

Guardian Life•Holmdel, NJ

56d•$116,350 - $191,155•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Head of Enterprise API & Platform Engineering, you will lead the design and delivery of enterprise technology platforms with a focus on API-first architecture, AI-native enablement, and modernization. You will develop and execute the key technology components of the API Hub Services and ensure alignment with Guardian's emerging API centric modernization strategy. You will work closely with other principals and senior strategic leaders to drive alignment with overall enterprise business and technology strategy and will guide engineering organizations to continually improve engineering practices and implementation outcomes. You are A results-oriented technical leader skilled at turning concepts into scalable solutions. Collaborates well across teams to ensure excellent delivery. Passionate about new technologies and improving developer experience. Self-driven, with strong technical leadership and a focus on process and quality.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.
15+ years of experience in software development, architecture, and enterprise software delivery.
Deep proficiency in cloud-native, service-oriented, and modernization architectures, including microservices, event-driven systems, and composable architecture (MASA).
Full-stack engineering experience with backend and frontend technologies (e.g., Java, Python, .NET/C#, React, Node.js, Typescript) with experience in CI/CD, scripting, and integrations.
Extensive experience building scalable API services using REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and async protocols, with deep expertise in Domain-Driven Design, Microservices Architecture, Enterprise Integration Patterns, and Event-Driven Architecture.
Proven experience designing and implementing scalable platforms using service mesh (Istio, AWS Lattice etc.), container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes), and API Gateway platforms (preferably AWS).
Hands-on experience with integration frameworks and messaging systems such as Apache Camel and managed service Kafka.
Proficiency using SQL and NoSQL Databases.
Strong command of DevOps practices and tools: Terraform, Jenkins, GitHub/GitLab CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code.
Deep understanding of secure programming practices, cloud security principles, and compliance frameworks.
Experience with monitoring & observability platforms including Open Telemetry, Prometheus, Grafana, and OpenSearch.
Advanced API security expertise including OAuth 2.1/2.0, JWT, rate limiting, RBAC/ABAC, mTLS, DDoS protection, Zero Trust, and OWASP API Security Top 10.
Exceptional ability to mentor engineers, influence technical direction across teams, and thrive in complex, cross-functional environments.
Skilled in communicating technical concepts to diverse audiences and driving strategic initiatives through business cases and impact acceleration.
Experience participating in and responding to technology audits and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

Lead API and Platform Strategy: Serve as the technical advisor for API standards, architecture patterns, orchestration, gateways, mediation, observability platforms, and emerging protocols (MCP, A2A, ACP), driving cohesive platform design and scalable integration.
Modernize for AI Enablement: Design strategies, architecture patterns, and reusable templates to modernize APIs and platforms for AI-native capabilities, including agent-to-agent communication and intelligent system integration.
Architect Scalable Platforms: Design and implement secure, cloud-native platforms using microservices, service mesh, and container orchestration, with emphasis on API & Agent Gateway, monitoring, and observability.
Drive Lifecycle Governance: Innovate in API lifecycle management, including governance, versioning, deprecation, migration strategies, and platform observability.
Collaborate on Enterprise Standards: Partner with enterprise architects and senior leaders to define standards, evaluate technologies, and publish strategic roadmaps that balance short-term execution with long-term vision.
Mentor and Scale Engineering Excellence: Guide engineering teams in best practices for API design, platform engineering, and AI integration, fostering a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and continuous learning.
Operationalize Tools and Platforms: Lead the identification, evaluation, and adoption of technical platforms and tools that support enterprise architecture, security, and scalable implementation.
Influence Strategic Decisions: Partner with product managers and engineering leaders to make key architectural decisions, ensuring technical feasibility, scalability, and alignment with business goals.
Track Emerging Trends: Monitor emerging technologies and assess their impact on the enterprise tech stack, contributing to strategic planning and innovation.
Ensure Compliance and Best Practices: Enforce adherence to architectural standards, design patterns, data privacy regulations, and best practices across systems and platforms.
Lead Technology Selection: Drive or support the evaluation and implementation of enterprise technologies that align with strategic and operational objectives.

Benefits

At Guardian, you'll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.
As part of Guardian's Purpose - to inspire well-being - we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees.

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