Lead API Developer

Job Title: Lead API DeveloperLocation: Remote (client location is Cincinnati, OH)Duration: Long Term ContractJob Summary:We are seeking a Software Engineer - API Developer V to design, build, and optimize high-performing applications and APIs for enterprise-scale systems.The role involves end-to-end software development, distributed systems design, and ensuring reliability and observability across platforms.Key Responsibilities:Lead full lifecycle application development, including design, coding, debugging, and deployment.Perform software, code, requirements, and risk analysis, ensuring reliability and scalability.Apply Object-Oriented Design and Analysis (OOA/OOD) for building distributed and real-time processing systems.Design and develop APIs, messaging, and event-driven solutions (MQ, Kafka, etc.).Implement availability engineering practices, including SLAs, failover, and graceful degradation.Enhance system observability using OpenTelemetry, Grafana, and Splunk.Drive performance tuning, optimization, automation, and usability improvements.Support and maintain existing software, ensuring standards compliance.Evaluate new technologies and recommend solutions for implementation.Collaborate with cross-functional teams in Agile/iterative environments.Required Skills:Core Expertise: Java (concurrency, memory management, performance tuning).System Design: Distributed systems, real-time processing, API design.Messaging/ Eventing: MQ, Kafka, or similar platforms.Availability Engineering: SLAs, failover strategies, system degradation handling.Observability Tools: OpenTelemetry, Grafana, Splunk.Strong background in software testing, QA, and integration.Qualifications:Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.10-20 years of professional software engineering experience.