Lead API Software Developer (Lead Software Developer)
Compensation
Not disclosed
Location
Tustin, CA
Work setup
Not specified
Seniority
Lead
Employment
Contract
Experience
7+ years
Category
Software engineering
Posted
Skills
agile
api
api-design
api-security
authentication
automation
azure
azure-devops
ci-cd
cloud
csharp
devops
dotnet
html
iam
java
javascript
jwt
kotlin
microservices
observability
openapi
openid
regulatory-compliance
rest
scrum
sdlc
secure-coding
sql
sql-server
swagger
swift
test-automation
threat-modeling
tls
typescript
Must have
High School Diploma or GED required
Bachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent years of experience required
Full description
We’re always looking for diverse, talented, service-oriented people to join our exceptional team.
Lead API Software Developer (Lead Software Developer)
The pay range for this position is listed below. Our pay ranges are built to allow for candidates with various levels of skill and experience to be considered, as well as for room for growth and tenure achieved in a role over time. Typical new hire salary offers fall within the minimum to midpoint of a pay range for many candidates. Any offer extended to a candidate will be based upon their unique set of knowledge, skills, education, and experience as well as internal equity.
Pay Range:
$129,880.00 - $214,303.00
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
What You’ll Be Doing
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.
Lead API Software Developer (Lead Software Developer) at schoolsfirstfcu (Tustin, CA) — aijobsearch
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.
Qualifications
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
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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
SchoolsFirst FCU is committed to Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Hiring
At SchoolsFirst FCU we are dedicated to building and growing a diverse, inclusive, and authentic Dream Team, so if you’re excited about a position or wanting to make a career change but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Many skills are transferrable and you may be just the right candidate for the position, or for other roles we are working on.
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. SchoolsFirst FCU is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, or genetic information.