Lead API Software Developer (Lead Software Developer)

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union•Tustin, CA

15h

About The Position

Provides technical leadership for the architecture, design, development, governance, security, implementation, and support of enterprise APIs and integrations. Leads complex API initiatives across the full SDLC, establishes reusable standards and API-first practices, and guides developers, project teams, and business partners in delivering secure, scalable, reliable solutions. Evaluates technologies and integration approaches, resolves complex technical issues, and drives quality, observability, documentation, and continuous improvement across the API portfolio. Leads complex API and software development initiatives across the full SDLC, contributing directly to architecture, design, implementation, testing, deployment, troubleshooting, and production support to ensure successful delivery. Serves as the technical lead across multiple projects, providing hands-on development, technical direction, code and design reviews, work delegation, coaching, and mentoring to developers in collaboration with the Manager. Designs, develops, and continuously improves secure, scalable enterprise APIs, application integrations, and reusable patterns that support internal platforms, external partners, and third-party systems. Champions API-first and contract-first practices by defining clear, consumer-focused RESTful API contracts using standards such as OpenAPI/Swagger and separating API definitions from backend implementation. Provides technical leadership and recommendations for API architecture, governance practices, standards, and the adoption of a centralized, audit-ready API catalog and reusable API library. Establishes and enforces API lifecycle controls covering design, testing, approval, deployment, versioning, documentation, deprecation, and retirement to maintain quality and consistency. Designs defense-in-depth API security using enterprise IAM, OpenID Connect, JWT, mutual TLS, gateway controls, PII encryption, audit logging, threat modeling, and automated security testing in the delivery pipeline. Develops and supports API enablement capabilities—including developer portals, documentation, SDKs, and sandbox environments—to accelerate adoption and manage APIs as products across free, partner, and enterprise access tiers. Implements API observability through structured logging, distributed tracing, usage and performance metrics, service-level objectives, and proactive alerting to improve reliability and incident response. Partners with business units, security, risk, compliance, architecture, and vendors to translate requirements into technical solutions, design integrations and automations, and evaluate build-versus-buy and hybrid gateway strategies. Plans and coordinates project delivery by prioritizing requests, developing estimates, assigning work, managing schedules and dependencies, and applying Agile/Scrum practices to meet commitments. Evaluates existing applications, integrations, development processes, and emerging technologies to identify performance, automation, standardization, and modernization opportunities across the IT organization. Defines and reports project status, API governance metrics, and KPIs—including standards compliance, approval cycle time, catalog adoption, reliability, usage, and security defect trends—to management and stakeholders. Serves as senior technical resource and project lead, developing estimates, budgets, resources, managing project schedules, deliverables and status reporting to meet approved scope and timelines. Additional Job Functions Performs other duties as assigned Complies with regulatory compliance and assigned training requirements including but not limited to BSA regulations corresponding to their specific job duties. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary and other employment related actions.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required
Bachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent years of experience required
7-10 years of prior relevant experience required
Expert knowledge of C# , .NET Core, and modern software development practices
Strong understanding of RESTful API design, integration patterns, versioning, and governance
Experience designing scalable, secure, and maintainable applications, services, and microservices
Proficiency with SQL Server, T-SQL, database design, and performance optimization
Experience with modern web technologies including JavaScript, TypeScript, and HTML5
Experience supporting mobile application platforms utilizing Swift, Java and Kotlin
Experience with cloud platforms, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices
Knowledge of authentication, authorization, API security, and secure coding practices
Proficiency with Azure DevOps, source control, automated testing, and deployment tools
Experience working in Agile and Scrum environments
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
Ability to establish and enforce development standards, engineering best practices, and API governance
Ability to lead technical design efforts, mentor developers, and conduct code reviews
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to manage priorities and deliver results across multiple initiatives
Knowledge of financial services, digital banking, and credit union operations, or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge

Responsibilities

Provides technical leadership for the architecture, design, development, governance, security, implementation, and support of enterprise APIs and integrations.
Leads complex API initiatives across the full SDLC, establishes reusable standards and API-first practices, and guides developers, project teams, and business partners in delivering secure, scalable, reliable solutions.
Evaluates technologies and integration approaches, resolves complex technical issues, and drives quality, observability, documentation, and continuous improvement across the API portfolio.
Leads complex API and software development initiatives across the full SDLC, contributing directly to architecture, design, implementation, testing, deployment, troubleshooting, and production support to ensure successful delivery.
Serves as the technical lead across multiple projects, providing hands-on development, technical direction, code and design reviews, work delegation, coaching, and mentoring to developers in collaboration with the Manager.
Designs, develops, and continuously improves secure, scalable enterprise APIs, application integrations, and reusable patterns that support internal platforms, external partners, and third-party systems.
Champions API-first and contract-first practices by defining clear, consumer-focused RESTful API contracts using standards such as OpenAPI/Swagger and separating API definitions from backend implementation.
Provides technical leadership and recommendations for API architecture, governance practices, standards, and the adoption of a centralized, audit-ready API catalog and reusable API library.
Establishes and enforces API lifecycle controls covering design, testing, approval, deployment, versioning, documentation, deprecation, and retirement to maintain quality and consistency.
Designs defense-in-depth API security using enterprise IAM, OpenID Connect, JWT, mutual TLS, gateway controls, PII encryption, audit logging, threat modeling, and automated security testing in the delivery pipeline.
Develops and supports API enablement capabilities—including developer portals, documentation, SDKs, and sandbox environments—to accelerate adoption and manage APIs as products across free, partner, and enterprise access tiers.
Implements API observability through structured logging, distributed tracing, usage and performance metrics, service-level objectives, and proactive alerting to improve reliability and incident response.
Partners with business units, security, risk, compliance, architecture, and vendors to translate requirements into technical solutions, design integrations and automations, and evaluate build-versus-buy and hybrid gateway strategies.
Plans and coordinates project delivery by prioritizing requests, developing estimates, assigning work, managing schedules and dependencies, and applying Agile/Scrum practices to meet commitments.
Evaluates existing applications, integrations, development processes, and emerging technologies to identify performance, automation, standardization, and modernization opportunities across the IT organization.
Defines and reports project status, API governance metrics, and KPIs—including standards compliance, approval cycle time, catalog adoption, reliability, usage, and security defect trends—to management and stakeholders.
Serves as senior technical resource and project lead, developing estimates, budgets, resources, managing project schedules, deliverables and status reporting to meet approved scope and timelines.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Complies with regulatory compliance and assigned training requirements including but not limited to BSA regulations corresponding to their specific job duties.