Head of Enterprise API Platform

Guardian Life Insurance•New York, NY

1d•$178,690 - $293,560

About The Position

Head of API Engineering, Platforms & Modernization (L9) Role Summary Guardian is transforming how we deliver digital and data-driven experiences. This role leads the strategy and execution of our enterprise API ecosystem—enabling secure, scalable, and reusable services that power customer, product, and AI capabilities across the organization. You will modernize our API landscape, establish engineering standards, and lead teams delivering high-quality integration solutions across the enterprise.

Requirements

Experience leading API, platform, or integration engineering in large-scale environments
Strong expertise in API design, microservices, and modern integration patterns
Proven ability to establish standards and drive adoption across teams
Experience modernizing legacy systems into scalable services
Strong understanding of security (authentication, authorization, zero-trust)
Experience leading and developing engineering teams
Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive enterprise outcomes
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
10+ years of experience in software engineering, API development, or platform engineering
5+ years of experience leading engineering teams and delivering at enterprise scale
Proven experience designing and implementing API strategies and integration architectures
Experience modernizing legacy systems into scalable, service-based architectures
Strong understanding of API security, governance, and lifecycle management
Experience operating in complex, cross-functional environments with multiple stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive enterprise-wide initiatives
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with cloud-native architectures (e.g., AWS, Azure)
Familiarity with event-driven architectures and distributed systems
Exposure to data and AI integration patterns
Experience implementing developer platforms or API marketplaces
Background in financial services or regulated industries

Responsibilities

Lead the design and delivery of scalable, reliable API platforms across the enterprise
Establish and enforce API standards across security, performance, and lifecycle management
Modernize legacy integrations into reusable, well-governed APIs
Drive adoption and reuse of APIs across product and engineering teams
Partner with architecture, cybersecurity, and platform teams to align on integration patterns
Improve developer experience through tooling, automation, and self-service capabilities
Build and lead high-performing engineering teams across platform and delivery
Reduce duplication and improve efficiency across enterprise integrations
Influence technology direction through strong cross-functional partnerships