Senior API Developer Security Clearance

Position: Senior API Developer with Security Clearance
Company Overview At Valida Tek, we modernize and optimize IT services to solve some of the most critical challenges facing federal civilian and defense agencies. From customers to partners to top-talent employees, Valida Tek puts people first, empowering them to exceed expectations and transform government organizations. Our employees are building purpose-driven careers, not just filling jobs. We bring together people with many different perspectives, experiences, and talents to drive innovation and achieve more together than we can individually.

Our commitment to quality and performance optimization is the reason why our IT Service Projects and New Development Projects have been appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 5, positioning us as one of a handful of elite companies to receive the highest form of third-party validation.  Summary We are seeking an experienced Senior API Developer to join our team and take charge of designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality APIs that power our applications.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in API design principles, security standards, and best practices, along with proficiency in programming languages and frameworks. This role also requires leadership skills to mentor junior developers and ensure effective co l lab oration within the team. Responsibilities
* Design and implement efficient, scalable, and user-friendly APIs following best practices, including RESTful API design , API versioning , and co mprehensive API documentation .
* Utilize programming languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript , along with frameworks like Spring, Flask, or Node.js to develop robust APIs.
* Write clean, maintainable co de that adheres to industry standards, ensuring high performance and reliability.
* Implement API security standards, including OAuth 2.0 , JWT , and API keys, to protect user data and ensure secure access to APIs.
* Co nduct thorough testing of APIs using tools and techniques such as unit testing, integration testing, and API mocking to validate functionality and performance.
* Integration of AI tools into the software development life cycle.
* A utomate the deployment of co ntainerized micro services using co ntinuous integration and co ntinuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
* Develop and execute automated tests to ensure the reliability and efficiency of API endpoints.
* Provide mentorship and guidance to junior developers, fostering their growth and en co uraging best practices in API development.
* Co l laborate effectively with cross-functional teams to understand project requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
* Co mmunicate co mplex technical co ncepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment on project objectives .
* Manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, demonstrating strong organizational and time-management skills.
* Lead project planning, estimation, and tracking effo rt s within an agile development environment, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality APIs. Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in a Co mputer Science related field and 7 + years of API development/ design experience. Experience may be substituted in lieu of degree.
* Active DoD Secret clearance Preferred. Must be able to obtain a DoD public trust
* Experience with in the DHA theater - highly preferred.
* Proficient in API design principles, including RESTful API design , versioning, and documentation.
* Deep understanding of API best practices, with a proven ability to design APIs that are efficient, scalable, and user-friendly.
* Strong programming skills in languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript , with experience in development frameworks like Spring, Flask, or Node.js .
* Experience with API security standards, including OAuth 2.0 , JWT , and API keys, with a focus on data protection and security.
* Familiarity with API testing tools and methodologies, including unit testing , integration testing , and API mocking .
* Strong leadership skills, with a passion for mentoring and developing junior developers.
* Excellent co mmunication skills, with the ability to explain co mplex technical co…