Lead API Developer

GSSTech Group; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology solutions provider in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Lead API Developer. The role involves designing, developing, and managing RESTful and SOAP APIs, overseeing the full API lifecycle, and ensuring compliance with governance policies. Applicants should have over 10 years of experience in software engineering, particularly in API development, and possess strong skills in AWS Lambda and DevOps practices. Leadership and collaboration skills are key as the role requires mentoring junior engineers and driving cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software engineering and API development.
• Strong experience in Open Banking and financial environments.
• Proven ability to implement API governance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy REST & SOAP APIs using Java Spring Boot.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with teams and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with API governance policies.

Skills

API development

Java Spring Boot

AWS Lambda

Kubernetes

Docker

DevSecOps practices

API security (OAuth, JWT)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Git

Nexus

API gateways (Apigee/Kong/AWS API Gateway)

Job description

We are seeking a Lead API Developer responsible for end-to-end design, development, testing, deployment, and governance of RESTful and SOAP APIs using Java Spring Boot and Maven, along with AWS Lambda functions and API components.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy REST & SOAP APIs using Java Spring Boot and Maven, AWS Lambda functions, and reusable API components/libraries.
• Implement unit testing, maintain secure and high-quality code, manage artifacts in Git, Nexus, and deploy APIs on AWS EKS clusters.
• Document and maintain API specifications using Swagger, Postman, and ensure proper API cataloguing.
• Continuously monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize API availability and performance using AppDynamics, ELK, and observability tools.
• Research & adopt emerging technologies and trends in API development, DevOps, containers, and cloud services.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with developers, product owners, security teams, and stakeholders.
• Oversee full API lifecycle including design, deployment, versioning, deprecation, and retirement.
• Establish API development standards, best practices, and enforce API governance policies.
• Drive API platform strategy, contribute to architectural decision-making, and solve complex system integration challenges.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers; share best practices and promote team growth.
• Lead and maintain API Governance framework, API management tool evaluation, KPI tracking, API security (OAuth, JWT, API keys), compliance alignment, and adherence to FAB governance, strategy, and CB UAE guidelines.
• Conduct design reviews, ensure contract standardization, and improve developer experience across teams.
• Support audit and compliance recommendations and participate in system improvement initiatives.
• Own assigned projects, meet deadlines, communicate effectively, perform thorough unit testing, and adapt to changing priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering (Master’s is a plus).
• 10+ years in software engineering, API development, AWS Lambda, DevOps, automation, and SDLC.
• Strong experience in Open Banking, Kubernetes, Docker, GitLab, Nexus, API gateways (Apigee/Kong/AWS API Gateway).
• Expertise in API security (OAuth, JWT, API keys) and DevSecOps practices.
• Experience improving monitoring, alerting, performance tuning, fixing vulnerabilities, and debugging large codebases.
• Strong skills in Python/other scripting languages (nice to have), design tools like Visio/Draw.io, and performance analysis tools.
• Proven ability to design large-scale API solutions in financial environments.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, leadership, problem-solving, and ability to work independently or in teams.
• Ability to implement FAB’s API governance requirements, evaluate new technologies, and support strategic delivery.