Senior API Engineer (Python / AWS)

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.$106K — $176K *
Enterprise Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of software engineering or cloud application development experience.
  • Proficiency in Python for backend and API development.
  • Strong background in REST API design and implementation.
  • Hands-on experience with AWS Lambda and Amazon API Gateway.
  • Expertise in Terraform for Infrastructure as Code.

Responsibilities

  • Design and maintain cloud-native Python-based REST APIs.
  • Build APIs with AWS Lambda and Amazon API Gateway following best practices.
  • Optimize API performance, reliability, and error handling.
  • Implement secure authentication and authorization mechanisms.
  • Provision AWS infrastructure using Terraform for consistent environments.

Benefits

  • 401K matching
  • Health benefits
  • Employee stock options
  • Paid time off
  • Volunteer time off
Full Job Description
Job Overview:

The Senior API Engineer (Python / AWS) is a critical member of the Data Modernization & Integration organization. This role is responsible for designing, building, securing, and operating high-quality, cloud-native REST APIs that power LPL's core business platforms and integrations.

This engineer will focus primarily on Python-based API development on AWS, leveraging services such as API Gateway, Lambda, and related AWS components, with all infrastructure managed through Terraform. The role plays an important part in modernizing legacy integrations and defining engineering standards for reliable, secure, and scalable API services.

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.

Responsibilities

API Engineering & Application Development
  • 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.


Security & Access Management
  • 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.


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


CI/CD & Operational Excellence
  • 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.


Cross-Team Collaboration
  • 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.


Strategic Influence
  • 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.


What Are We Looking For?

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.

Requirements:
  • 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
  • Experience building and operating APIs in large-scale, production environments
  • Experience with CI/CD, Git-based workflows, and automated testing.
  • Ability to troubleshoot production issues and support on-call rotations when required.


Core Competencies
  • 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).


Preferences
  • Strong understanding of authentication, authorization, and secure API design.
  • Experience with OAuth providers and identity platforms.
  • Familiarity with AWS SAM or Serverless Framework (tooling experience).
  • Exposure to event-driven architectures (EventBridge, SNS/SQS).
  • Experience operating APIs in regulated or enterprise environments (financial services preferred).
  • Knowledge of observability tools such as CloudWatch, Dynatrace, Datadog, OpenTelemetry.
  • Experience designing reusable API frameworks or shared libraries.


Pay Range:
$106,100.00 - $176,900.00
Actual base salary varies based on factors, including but not limited to, relevant skill, prior experience, education, base salary of internal peers, demonstrated performance, and geographic location. Additionally, LPL Total Rewards package is highly competitive, designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play - such as 401K matching, health benefits, employee stock options, paid time off, volunteer time off, and more. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that LPL has to offer!

About LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. Careers

Joining LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a leading team of professionals in the financial services industry. The company is renowned for its commitment to innovation, leadership, and professional growth, making it an ideal workplace for ambitious individuals looking to advance their careers.

Explore Job Opportunities

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and interests. From entry-level positions to senior leadership roles, each job opening provides a platform for personal and professional development. Candidates can expect a rigorous interview process that ensures each team member is not only a fit for the position but also aligns with the company's culture of excellence and integrity.

Internship Programs

For those starting their career journey, LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. provides robust internship programs designed to offer real-world experience in the financial sector. Internships are a cornerstone of the company's commitment to nurturing young talent, providing a foundation of knowledge and skills that are crucial for future employment in the industry.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. The company believes in empowering all employees through diversity training and leadership opportunities that promote an inclusive workplace. This approach not only enhances team collaboration but also drives innovation and creativity.

Benefits and Culture

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. is dedicated to supporting its employees with comprehensive benefits designed to promote a healthy work-life balance. Benefits include competitive health care options, retirement plans, and wellness programs. The company culture is built on a foundation of mutual respect and teamwork, encouraging networking and professional development across all levels of the organization.

Professional Growth and Development

Employees at LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. are encouraged to continuously enhance their professional skills and advance their careers within the company. Leadership development programs and continuous learning opportunities are readily available, allowing individuals to achieve their career goals and contribute effectively to their teams.

Join the LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. Team

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. is actively hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Explore open positions that match your skills and interests on the LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. careers page. Each position offers a chance to be part of a dynamic team that is instrumental in shaping the future of financial services.

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