Lead API/Platform Engineer
About The Position
IDC is building the next generation of AI-powered intelligence platforms that transform how technology decisions get made. Our platform re-imagines the way decision-makers discover and interact with trusted research and data, and is foundational to IDC's future. We are looking for a Senior API/Platform Engineer to serve as the player-coach dev lead for the new Channel & Integration Pod. This pod is responsible for making IDC's intelligence accessible wherever users already work: through AI assistant protocols, email, Slack, and Teams. You will be the first hire and will set the technical direction for the team. This is a leadership role where you code more than 50% of the time. You will design the API gateway that connects external AI assistants to IDC's intelligence, architect the channel adapters that deliver responses through multiple platforms, and build the shared infrastructure that ties it all together. You will grow the pod to 4-8 engineers and set the standards they build on.
Requirements
- 7+ years of software engineering experience with deep expertise in API design, gateway architecture, and platform services
- Player-coach track record leading teams of 4-8 engineers while remaining a significant code contributor
- Strong background in API gateway design, protocol implementation, and integration platform development
- Experience building authentication systems (OAuth 2.0, OIDC)
- Hands-on experience with at least one of: MCP protocol, webhook architectures, email delivery infrastructure, Slack Bolt, or Teams Bot Framework
- Proficiency in Python
- Track record of standing up new teams from zero
Responsibilities
- Lead a cross-functional pod of 4-8 engineers, setting technical direction while staying hands-on
- Design and build a stateless API gateway that enables external AI assistants to query IDC's intelligence platform
- Architect multi-platform channel adapters for email, Slack, and Teams delivery
- Build shared infrastructure: authentication, identity linking, rate limiting, thread mapping, and audit logging
- Define interfaces and contracts with adjacent teams (AI Orchestration, Search & Data Services)
- Write production code. This role is coding more than 50% of the time
Benefits
- 15 vacation days per year (increases with tenure; carryover allowed)
- 10 paid sick days per year
- 1 week paid new parenting leave
- Flexible work options (remote, part-time, flexible hours)
- Health, dental, vision, and paramedical coverage for you and your family
- $1,600 annual healthcare spending account
- Employee Assistance Program for counseling and support
- Best Doctors medical second opinions
- Life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match (up to 4% of salary)
- $75/month technology allowance for home office or phone expenses
- Company-paid cell phone plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
101-250 employees
