Senior API Engineer; Python​/AWS

Senior API Engineer (Python / AWS)

The Senior API Engineer is a critical member of the Data Modernization & Integration organization. This role designs, builds, secures, and operates high-quality, cloud-native REST APIs that power LPL’s core business platforms and integrations. Focus is on Python‑based API development on AWS using services such as API Gateway, Lambda, and Terraform for infrastructure management.

The ideal candidate combines deep hands‑on Python API engineering expertise with strong cloud architecture skills, a passion for automation, and the ability to collaborate across platform, data, security, and application teams.

• Design, develop, and maintain Python‑based REST APIs that support business‑critical workflows.
• Build APIs using AWS Lambda and Amazon API Gateway, following API‑first and REST best practices.
• Implement clean, testable, and well‑documented Python code suitable for enterprise production environments.
• Optimize API performance, reliability, scalability, and error handling.
• Ensure proper API versioning, contract stability, and backward compatibility.

• Implement secure authentication and authorization mechanisms such as OAuth2, JWT, and IAM‑based access.
• Enforce API security controls including request validation, throttling, rate limiting, and auditing.
• Partner with security teams to ensure APIs meet enterprise security and compliance standards.

• Provision and manage AWS infrastructure using Terraform.
• Create and maintain reusable Terraform modules for:
  • API Gateway
  • Lambda
  • IAM roles and policies
  • Cloud Watch logging and monitoring
• Ensure environment consistency across DEV, QA, UAT, and PROD.

• Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines for build, test, and deployment of Python APIs.
• Support automated testing, packaging, versioning, and release management.
• Implement observability through logging, metrics, alerts, and tracing.
• Participate in troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and production support activities.

• Collaborate closely with application teams, platform engineering, cloud, and security teams.
• Align API design and implementation with enterprise architectural standards.
• Actively contribute to code reviews, design discussions, and technical documentation.
• Promote best practices and a culture of engineering excellence.

• Influence API engineering standards, patterns, and best practices across the organization.
• Contribute to architectural reviews and modernization efforts.
• Help drive consistent, scalable, and maintainable cloud‑native API solutions.

We are looking for strong collaborators who deliver reliable, secure, and high‑quality API solutions in fast‑paced, team‑oriented environments. Ideal candidates pursue technical excellence, act with integrity, and are motivated to build scalable platforms that enable business growth. We value continuous improvement, curiosity, and individuals who take ownership and pride in their work.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in software engineering, API engineering, or cloud application development.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with Python for backend and API development, REST API design and implementation, AWS Lambda and Amazon API Gateway, Terraform for Infrastructure as Code, building and operating APIs in large‑scale, production environments, CI/CD, Git‑based workflows, and automated testing.
• Experience troubleshooting production issues and supporting on‑call rotations when required.

• API Design Mindset — builds clean, consistent, and consumer‑friendly APIs.
• Builder Mindset — emphasizes automation, reuse, and simplicity.
• Systems Thinking — understands how APIs integrate with distributed systems.
• Collaboration — works effectively across engineering, security, and platform teams.
• Ownership & Accountability — takes responsibility for design, delivery, and reliability.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).

• Strong understanding of authentication, authorization, and secure API design.
• Experience with OAuth providers and identity platforms.
• Familiarity with AWS SAM or Serverless Framework.
• Exposure to event‑driven architectures (Event Bridge, SNS/SQS).
• Experience operating APIs in regulated or enterprise environments (financial services preferred).
• Knowledge of observability tools such as Cloud Watch, Dynatrace, Datadog, Open Telemetry.
• Experience designing reusable API frameworks or shared libraries.

$ - $. Base salary varies based on factors such as skill, experience, education, internal pay band, performance, and location. LPL Total Rewards includes 401K matching, health benefits, stock options, paid time off, volunteer time off, and more.

Principals only. EOE.