API engineers design, build, and maintain the application programming interfaces that allow software systems to communicate. They help organizations connect services, products, and data through reliable, secure, and well-documented APIs. Browse vetted API Engineer opportunities on Ladders, including roles with compensation of $100,000 or more.
API engineers develop and integrate interfaces used by web applications, mobile apps, internal platforms, and external partners. Their work may include defining API specifications, writing and testing code, improving performance, managing authentication and authorization, and monitoring services in production. They often collaborate with product managers, software engineers, security teams, and infrastructure specialists.
Employers commonly seek experience with API design and development, REST or GraphQL, programming languages such as Java, Python, Go, or JavaScript, and tools for testing, version control, and observability. Knowledge of databases, cloud platforms, microservices, security practices, and API documentation can also be valuable. Requirements vary by employer and seniority.
API engineering roles are available across technology, finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and other industries that rely on connected digital systems. Depending on experience, professionals may pursue senior API engineer, backend engineer, platform engineer, integration architect, or engineering leadership positions.
Use Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities and identify roles that align with your skills, experience, and career goals. Review each listing for its responsibilities, qualifications, location, and compensation details as you search for your next API engineering position.
$120K - $145K *
Empower a transformative team as you enhance employer benefits through elegant full stack engineering, delivering scalable, secure systems for seamless financial interactions across diverse platforms...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to build and scale integration infrastructure, enhancing data orchestration in the wealth tech industry. Collaborate to solve complex challenges while delivering reliable backend f...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$171K - $190K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of scalable data platforms. Drive innovation in cloud data architecture and pipeline automation, collaborating across teams to deliver impactf...
1 week ago
Staff Engineer, Security Operations
$225K - $281K *
Lead detection and response strategy, building systems and automations to enhance security. Collaborate with teams to set standards, mentor engineers, and manage complex incidents, ensuring effective...
Yesterday
Principal Enterprise Architect
$160K - $190K *
Join a team that's driving architectural excellence and AI adoption. You'll optimize cloud systems, enhance data processing, and lead engineering teams to innovate and scale efficiently, ensuring robu...
2 weeks ago
$200K - $275K *
Join a team that's scaling innovative distributed systems across our platform, shaping technical frameworks, and driving organizational growth while collaborating with talented engineers in a dynamic...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Application Security Engineer
$225K - $281K *
Shape the future of application security by leading strategy and initiatives across teams. Drive secure design and standards, mentor engineers, and tackle complex security challenges in a collaborativ...
6 days ago
$220K - $290K *
Join a team that's redefining Chaos Engineering by creating innovative tooling to enhance internet reliability. Collaborate with talented peers to solve complex technical challenges that impact a dive...
4 weeks ago
Senior ML Operations Engineer II - Monetization
$211K - $248K *
Lead the charge in managing the complete ML model lifecycle, ensuring robust deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. Collaborate with data scientists to enhance model performance and opera...
Yesterday
$116K - $171K *
Elevate customer success by partnering with developers to implement solutions, troubleshoot technical issues, and enhance product features. Your insights will drive improvements across teams, ensuring...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to shaping AI platform solutions by developing and implementing essential AI components that drive product innovation, ensuring reliability and scalability while collabora...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer
$159K - $164K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of enterprise applications by designing and maintaining robust web solutions in Azure Government Cloud, leveraging full-stack technologies to enhance user experie...
2 days ago
$105K - $130K *
Join a team that designs and builds robust backend services and APIs, driving impactful features on our cloud platform. Collaborate in Agile sprints, own your domain, and develop scalable solutions th...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer || (Authentication)
$107K - $132K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of cloud services and authentication systems. As a key contributor, you'll design, build, and maintain scalable, secure solutions while collaborating with cross-f...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Innovate AI-driven systems that enhance clinical and operational workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, elevate care delivery, and build scalable infrastructure in...
3 weeks ago
Backend (Rust) - Principal Software Engineer / Architect
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of technology by leading the design and development of scalable, reliable products through innovative architecture and collaboration in a dynamic environment...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Innovate within the AI Platform team by designing and operating core components for AI-driven solutions, focusing on model serving, agentic infrastructure, or observability. Collaborate across teams t...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, Ingestion Platform
$164K - $229K *
Unlock potential by creating scalable, fault-tolerant data systems to support ML and analytics workflows, enabling efficient data processing for critical teams at a leading tech company. Collaborate a...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Certificate Management
$186K - $218K *
Transform critical cryptographic infrastructure by leading high-availability services and defining technical strategies. Collaborate across teams to implement secure protocols in a zero-trust environm...
1 week ago
Senior Backend Software Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Drive innovation by leading backend development for high-traffic APIs and microservices. Collaborate across teams to enhance system reliability, scalability, and performance while optimizing cloud cos...
1 week ago
Lead Engineer, Analytics Platform & AI
$125K - $150K *
Engage with us to architect and lead full-stack development of our analytics platform, embedding AI for improved insights. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance performance, scalability, and secur...
3 weeks ago
Senior Application Engineering Manager, Core Financial Apps
$201K - $263K *
Drive transformative finance solutions by leading a high-performing team. Utilize Oracle Fusion Cloud and cutting-edge SaaS applications to innovate financial operations, optimize automation, and enha...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$200K - $215K *
Empower business growth through innovative AI solutions. Collaborate across teams to deliver technical expertise and drive customer engagement, translating complex scientific concepts into impactful s...
1 month ago
$169K - $220K *
Champion backend innovation by architecting scalable systems and guiding a team of engineers. Leverage cutting-edge technologies to optimize user experiences and deliver impactful solutions in a colla...
Reposted 4 days ago
$122K - $158K *
Empower product development by collaborating with designers and engineers to create intuitive banking solutions. Foster a culture of innovation and ownership within a dynamic, startup-like environment...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
What is an API engineer?
An API engineer builds and maintains application programming interfaces that enable software systems and services to exchange data and functionality.
What does an API engineer do day to day?
Typical work includes designing API endpoints and specifications, writing and testing code, integrating services, addressing security and performance needs, documenting interfaces, and monitoring APIs in production.
What skills are commonly required for API engineer jobs?
Employers often look for programming experience, knowledge of API design such as REST or GraphQL, testing and documentation skills, and familiarity with databases, cloud services, security, and distributed systems. Specific requirements depend on the role.
How much do API engineers earn?
Compensation varies by experience, location, industry, and employer. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more; check individual listings for specific salary information.
Where can API engineers find jobs paying $100,000 or more?
API engineers can browse Ladders for vetted professional opportunities with compensation of $100,000 or more and review listings to find roles that match their qualifications and preferences.