API Engineer

Aqua IT; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua IT seeks a backend/platform engineer to design, deploy, and optimize robust API platforms for secure data exchange and system integrations. The role emphasizes strong API design, distributed systems expertise, and cloud experience. Collaboration with clients and cross-functional teams will shape scalable, low-latency services.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in backend engineering, Java or Python, and hands-on DevOps with Docker/Kubernetes, plus cloud proficiency across AWS, Azure, or GCP.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in backend or platform engineering and distributed systems.
• 3+ years with Java or Python development.
• 2+ years designing, deploying, and operating real-time API platforms at scale (e.g., Apigee, Gravitee, Kong, AWS API Gateway, or Mulesoft).
• 1+ years of DevOps practices and technologies including Docker, Helm, Kubernetes, and GitOps.
• Experience with HTTP, gRPC, WebSockets, caching, load balancing, and API security.
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Experience with Git and collaboration tools (Jenkins, JIRA, Confluence, Nexus, Bitbucket).
• Experience gathering requirements and engaging with clients.
• HS Diploma or GED.

Skills

Backend or platform engineering

Distributed systems

API design

Java or Python

Docker

Kubernetes

GitOps workflows

AWS / Azure / GCP

DevOps toolchain (Jenkins/Jira)

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Helm

GitOps

Jenkins

JIRA

Confluence

Nexus

Bitbucket

Job description

Overview:

This position is responsible for designing, deploying, and optimizing robust API platforms for efficient data exchange, system integrations, and secure communication; strong skills in backend or platform engineering and API design are essential

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in backend or platform engineering, including distributed systems and API design
• 3+ years of experience in software development using Java or Python
• 2+ years of experience with designing, deploying, and operating real-time, low-latency API platforms at scale such as Apigee, Gravitee, Kong, AWS API Gateway, or Mulesoft
• 1+ years of experience with DevOps practices and technologies, including Docker, Helm, Kubernetes, and GitOps workflows; Experience with protocols, including HTTP, gRPC, or WebSockets, caching, load balancing, and API security
• Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP
• Experience with Git and collaboration tools, including Jenkins, JIRA, Confluence, Nexus, or Bitbucket
• Experience in gathering requirements and engaging with clients
• HS Diploma or GED

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with SQL, Server-Side Development, Middleware, Application or Data Integration, API Development, Core Application Systems, Node.js, Groovy, Scala, Spring Cloud, Spring Core, Spring-Boot, or Spring Data
• Experience with using a message broker, such as Kafka or RabbitMQ