Integration Architect - Hyd/Bangalore - 10+ Yrs

Zoho; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 1,400,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoho seeks a seasoned API Strategy Lead with 15+ years of industry experience to drive API platform enablement and consolidation using IBM API Connect. You will shape the API strategy to align with business objectives, ensuring secure, scalable, and well-governed APIs across Zoho's suite.

You will lead cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, oversee platform integration, governance, and performance optimization, and stay ahead of API trends.

Qualifications

• Proven experience (5+ years) in API strategy, management, and integration, with a focus on IBM API Connect (APIC).
• Hands-on experience with API management platforms, preferably IBM APIC.
• In-depth understanding of RESTful and SOAP APIs, JSON, XML, OAuth, OpenAPI specifications, and other relevant technologies.
• Expertise in API governance, security protocols (OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect), and access management.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, IBM Cloud) and how APIs interact with cloud-based applications.
• Experience in automating API deployments, CI/CD pipelines, and API testing using industry tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop,execute, and refine the overall API strategy to support business goals,enabling digital transformation, enhanced customer experiences, and new revenue streams.
• Leadthe implementation, optimization, and management of IBM API Connect (APIC) across the organization to ensure a smooth, secure, and scalable API ecosystem.Leverage IBM APIC capabilities to monitor, manage, and improve API performance.
• Collaboratewith cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, etc.) to designAPIs that follow best practices and meet business requirements. Establish andenforce API governance policies for security, versioning, documentation, andlifecycle management.
• Driveintegration of IBM APIC with various backend systems, cloud services, andthird-party applications, ensuring robust and seamless communication betweendifferent environments.
• Partnerwith IT leadership, developers, and business stakeholders to ensure alignmentbetween API initiatives and overall company objectives. Provide mentorship andguidance to junior team members on API strategy and management using IBM APIC.
• MonitorAPI performance, analyze API usage metrics, and identify areas for improvementto ensure optimal efficiency, scalability, and security. Ensure proper loadbalancing, API security measures, and usage policies are implemented.
• Stayup-to-date with the latest API trends, technologies, and industry bestpractices. Advocate for the adoption of modern API practices (e.g., REST,GraphQL) and drive continuous improvement in API strategies.

Skills

IBM APIC

API strategy

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Cloud platforms

CI/CD automation

REST & SOAP

Job description

A strong API Strategy Lead with expertise in IBM APIConnect and industry experience of 15+ years to drive customer’s API platformenablement & consolidation initiatives. Will need to play a crucial role inshaping the API strategy, ensuring that customer’s API ecosystem aligns withbusiness objectives, and optimizing the use of IBM APIC for seamlessintegration, security, and scalability. The lead is expected to bring-in strongleadership skills, a deep understanding of API management, and a solid technicalbackground in implementing and managing APIs with IBM APIC.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop,execute, and refine the overall API strategy to support business goals,enabling digital transformation, enhanced customer experiences, and new revenuestreams.

IBM APIC Expertise:

• Leadthe implementation, optimization, and management of IBM API Connect (APIC)across the organization to ensure a smooth, secure, and scalable API ecosystem.Leverage IBM APIC capabilities to monitor, manage, and improve API performance.

API Design and Governance:

• Collaboratewith cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, etc.) to designAPIs that follow best practices and meet business requirements. Establish andenforce API governance policies for security, versioning, documentation, andlifecycle management.

Platform Integration:

• Driveintegration of IBM APIC with various backend systems, cloud services, andthird-party applications, ensuring robust and seamless communication betweendifferent environments.
• Partnerwith IT leadership, developers, and business stakeholders to ensure alignmentbetween API initiatives and overall company objectives. Provide mentorship andguidance to junior team members on API strategy and management using IBM APIC.

Performance Optimization:

• MonitorAPI performance, analyze API usage metrics, and identify areas for improvementto ensure optimal efficiency, scalability, and security. Ensure proper loadbalancing, API security measures, and usage policies are implemented.
• Stayup-to-date with the latest API trends, technologies, and industry bestpractices. Advocate for the adoption of modern API practices (e.g., REST,GraphQL) and drive continuous improvement in API strategies.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Experience:

• Provenexperience (5+ years) in API strategy, management, and integration, with afocus on IBM API Connect (APIC).
• Strongbackground in API lifecycle management, from design and development tomonitoring and retirement.
• Hands-onexperience with API management platforms, preferably IBM APIC.
• In-depthunderstanding of RESTful and SOAP APIs, JSON, XML, OAuth, OpenAPIspecifications, and other relevant technologies.
• Expertisein API governance, security protocols (OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect), and accessmanagement.
• Familiaritywith cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, IBM Cloud) and how APIs interact withcloud-based applications.
• Experiencein automating API deployments, CI/CD pipelines, and API testing using industrytools.

Leadershipand Communication:

• Strongability to collaborate and communicate effectively with business leaders,technical teams, and external stakeholders.
• Abilityto translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies fornon-technical stakeholders.

ProblemSolving:

• Excellentanalytical skills and the ability to solve complex technical issues, optimizeAPI performance, and ensure high availability.