Senior API Solutions Architect

540 is seeking a Senior API Solutions Architect to support a mission-critical technology modernization effort for the Department of War. You will lead the architecture and governance of secure, scalable APIs that enable internal platform components and external mission systems to exchange data while aligning with DoW policies, reference architectures, and enterprise integration standards.

Working with engineers, architects, cybersecurity teams, and mission stakeholders, you will define API strategy, technical standards, and governance processes using Apigee, Gravitee, and related technologies. You will guide technical delivery, lead architecture decisions, and establish reusable patterns that enable engineering teams to deliver secure, interoperable, and reliable services across distributed systems.

• Location : Arlington, VA
• Citizenship & Clearance Requirement : Per client requirements, candidates must be U.S. Citizens with an active DoW Secret (or higher) clearance
• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered
• 540 Internal Thrive Level: Senior Solutions Architect

WHY 540?

540 is a forward-thinking company that the government turns to in order to #getshitdone. We don’t just talk about innovation – we deliver it. We break down barriers, build impactful technology, and solve mission-critical problems.

HOW YOU’LL DRIVE IMPACT

Lead the architecture and evolution of APIs, integration patterns, and technical standards supporting WDP

Translate mission and technical requirements into scalable API architectures and implementation strategies

Establish enterprise API governance across design, review, versioning, publishing, monitoring, and retirement

Define standards and reusable patterns for RESTful APIs, OpenAPI specifications, JSON schemas, and data exchange

Guide the configuration and operation of API gateways, policies, developer portals, and lifecycle processes using Apigee and Gravitee

Establish versioning and change-management strategies that support backward compatibility and platform evolution

Define security patterns for authentication, authorization, encryption, rate limiting, threat protection, and auditing

Lead architecture reviews and ensure API designs align with DoW standards, security requirements, and mission objectives

Establish API monitoring and operational standards covering performance, availability, reliability, adoption, and capacity

Guide integration across cloud-native, microservices, event-driven, and service-oriented architectures

Resolve complex API, gateway, interoperability, and cross-system architecture challenges

Communicate architecture decisions, risks, and tradeoffs while mentoring engineers on API design and governance

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

9+ years of relevant API architecture, integration, or software engineering experience

Experience leading the design and implementation of enterprise API architectures for large-scale distributed systems

Advanced knowledge of RESTful API design, API lifecycle management, interface governance, and integration patterns

Hands-on experience with Apigee, Gravitee, or comparable enterprise API management platforms

Experience defining API gateway architecture and configuring policies, routing, rate limits, security controls, monitoring, and developer portals

Experience developing API specifications using OpenAPI, Swagger, JSON Schema, or similar frameworks

Experience establishing API governance, standards, and reusable patterns across multiple engineering teams

Experience implementing versioning, backward compatibility, and change-management strategies

Experience implementing OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, JWT, PKI, or similar authentication and authorization technologies

Strong understanding of API security, zero trust principles, and secure software development practices

Experience integrating APIs across cloud-native, microservices, event-driven, or service-oriented architectures

Experience with cloud platforms, containerized applications, CI/CD, and automated testing

Experience leading architecture reviews, mentoring engineers, and influencing technical direction

Strong communication and documentation skills, including the ability to explain architecture decisions to technical and nontechnical audiences

NICE TO HAVE

Experience leading Apigee or Gravitee implementations, migrations, or modernization initiatives

Experience supporting DoW, federal, Advana, or other enterprise data platforms

Familiarity with DoW architecture frameworks, reference designs, and interoperability standards

Experience automating API governance through linting, contract testing, and CI/CD validation

Experience with asynchronous messaging, event-driven architectures, and streaming integration patterns

Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, Istio, Linkerd, or other cloud-native and service mesh technologies

Experience designing secure APIs for classified, regulated, or mission-critical environments

Currently holds, or is willing to obtain within 30 days of employment, an approved certification such as SecurityX, CCSP, Cloud+, CSSLP, FITSP-D, GDSA, or GSEC

BENEFITS & PERKS

Flexible PTO + all Federal holidays off

Health, dental and vision insurance plans

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

401k with employer match

Company-sponsored life insurance, short- and long-term disability

Professional development (training, certifications, conferences)

Paid cloud developer accounts

Referral bonuses

HQ office perks (parking / metro reimbursement, nitro coffee & lunches)

Annual social events (540 Week, hackathon, charity golf tournament, etc.)

Access to 540’s Washington Capitals & Nationals tickets

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)

540's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.