Lead- API Engineer

About Gradera

Gradera defines a new category of enterprise transformation called Software-Orchestrated Services™ - where software orchestrates human expertise, digital workers, and enterprise systems to deliver governed outcomes at scale. As an AI Native Services firm, we help enterprises redesign how work gets done across operations, product, engineering, customer experience, data, and enterprise workflows to move beyond fragmented AI pilots and disconnected automation toward measurable business outcomes.

Overview

We are seeking a hands-on, collaborative Lead API Engineer to drive API architecture, backend service design, and the continuous evolution of our platform’s integration capabilities. As Lead API Engineer, you will provide technical leadership to the backend team, ensuring scalable, secure, and high-performing APIs that power our digital ecosystem.

This role is central to establishing API-first practices, defining robust contracts, and enabling seamless integrations across products, UI layers, and external systems. You will work cross-functionally to ensure backend services meet stringent non-functional requirements, while fostering engineering excellence, maintainability, and operational reliability.

Key Responsibilities

•Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the API engineering team •Lead the design, implementation, and evolution of API architecture and backend services •Champion API-first development, ensuring clear contracts and comprehensive documentation (OpenAPI/Swagger) •Lead the implementations of APIs conforming to all NFRs including security, scalability, and performance. •Ensure robust authentication, authorization, and data protection for all endpoints •Drive adoption of best practices in API design, versioning, and integration •Optimize API performance for low-latency, high-frequency interactions •Oversee observability, monitoring, and alerting for all APIs and backend services •Collaborate closely with product, UI, and runtime teams to deliver integrated solutions •Collaborate with the SDET to ensure comprehensive test coverage and effective test data creation •Lead the adoption of modern API tools, frameworks, and best practices •Ensure engineering rigor, code quality, and documentation standards are met •Facilitate clear communication, knowledge sharing, and effective documentation within the team •Support team growth through coaching, feedback, and skills development

Core Qualities & Skills

•Proven experience leading API engineering teams and delivering complex API projects

- Deep expertise in API architecture, design, and implementation (RESTful, GraphQL, gRPC etc.)

- Strong programming skills in Java 8 and above, Spring Boot, and Microservices.

- Experience with API security, authentication, and authorization (OAuth, JWT, RBAC, PKCE, define fine-grained access controls using ReBAC)

- Experience with API documentation and standards (OpenAPI/Swagger, Use Case, JSON Schemas, etc.)