Senior API Engineer Contractor

Overview We are looking for a Senior API Engineer with deep expertise in Java and the Spring Boot framework to architect, develop, and optimize enterprise-grade RESTful APIs. This role is ideal for professionals who thrive on solving complex integration challenges, driving technical excellence, and mentoring team members. You will play a pivotal role in shaping our API strategy, ensuring scalability, security, and performance across our backend systems. Key Responsibilities • Architect and design robust RESTful APIs using Java and Spring Boot, focusing on scalability, reliability, and maintainability. • Lead technical discussions and decisions related to API development, integration patterns, and microservices architecture. • Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering best practices in code quality, testing, and API design. • Establish and enforce standards for API documentation, versioning, security (OAuth2, JWT), and error handling. • Collaborate with product owners, solution architects, and cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions. • Drive performance optimization and monitoring for API endpoints, using profiling and analytics tools. • Oversee integration with databases (SQL/NoSQL), third-party services, and internal platforms. • Champion DevOps practices such as CI/CD, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and cloud deployment (AWS/Azure/GCP). • Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, recommending improvements and innovations. • Participate in code reviews and technical audits, ensuring adherence to architectural guidelines and security standards. Required Skills and Qualifications • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field. • 7+ years of professional experience in Java development, with a strong focus on Spring Boot API engineering. • Proven track record in architecting and delivering large-scale, high-availability API solutions. • Expertise in RESTful API design, including documentation (Swagger/OpenAPI), versioning, and error handling. • Strong knowledge of security protocols (OAuth2, JWT, SSL/TLS) and compliance requirements. • Experience with microservices architecture and distributed systems. • Advanced proficiency with databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB) and ORM frameworks. • Hands-on experience with DevOps tools (Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud platforms. • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills. • Ability to work independently and drive technical initiatives. Preferred Qualifications • Experience with event-driven architectures (Kafka, RabbitMQ). • Familiarity with front-end frameworks (React, Angular) for full-stack collaboration. • Exposure to API gateway solutions (Apigee, AWS API Gateway). • Prior experience in healthcare is a plus.