Lead API Software Developer (Lead Software Developer)

Schoolsfirst-Federal-Credit-Union; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in California invites a Lead API Software Developer to drive architecture, design, and governance of enterprise APIs and integrations. You’ll lead complex API initiatives across the full SDLC, establishing standards and guiding teams toward secure, scalable solutions.

As a senior technical leader, you will define API contracts with OpenAPI/Swagger, champion API-first practices, and mentor developers while coordinating with business units, security, and vendors

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent years of experience.
• 7–10 years of relevant API/software development experience.
• Expert knowledge of C#, .NET Core, RESTful API design.
• Experience with cloud platforms, Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for API architecture, design, security, and governance.
• Lead complex API initiatives across the full SDLC and guide teams.
• Develop secure, scalable enterprise APIs and reusable integration patterns.
• Define API contracts using OpenAPI/Swagger and maintain lifecycle controls.
• Mentor developers, conduct code reviews, and ensure delivery timelines.

Skills

C#

.NET Core

RESTful API design

OpenAPI/Swagger

Security & API governance

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent experience

Tools

Azure DevOps

CI/CD pipelines

SQL Server

Job 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 - $214,303.00Scheduled Weekly Hours:40What You’ll Be DoingProvides 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.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 FunctionsPerforms other duties as assignedComplies 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.QualificationsHigh School Diploma or GED requiredBachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent years of experience required7-10 years of prior relevant experience requiredKnowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesExpert knowledge of C# , .NET Core, and modern software development practicesStrong understanding of RESTful API design, integration patterns, versioning, and governanceExperience designing scalable, secure, and maintainable applications, services, and microservicesProficiency with SQL Server, T-SQL, database design, and performance optimizationExperience with modern web technologies including JavaScript, TypeScript, and HTML5Experience supporting mobile application platforms utilizing Swift, Java and KotlinExperience with cloud platforms, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practicesKnowledge of authentication, authorization, API security, and secure coding practicesProficiency with Azure DevOps, source control, automated testing, and deployment toolsExperience working in Agile and Scrum environmentsStrong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skillsAbility to establish and enforce development standards, engineering best practices, and API governanceAbility to lead technical design efforts, mentor developers, and conduct code reviewsStrong verbal and written communication skillsAbility to manage priorities and deliver results across multiple initiativesKnowledge of financial services, digital banking, and credit union operations, or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledgeSchoolsFirst FCU is committed to Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive HiringAt 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.This organization participates in E-Verify.