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.
$110K - $130K *
Take ownership of API development, optimizing performance and reliability for a high-traffic platform. Collaborate on critical infrastructure, enhance user experience, and implement robust security me...
6 days ago
Software Engineer, Platform Access (L2)
$116K - $171K *
Optimize multi-cloud access control and security tools. Collaborate with teams to design and implement automated solutions, ensuring secure developer workflows across AWS, Azure, and GCP while enhanci...
2 weeks ago
$85K - $170K *
Optimize legacy systems by transforming monolithic Java/.NET services into cloud-native Python microservices. Collaborate with teams to design scalable REST APIs and ensure secure delivery through Dev...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate healthcare delivery by developing AI solutions that enhance operations and resident experiences. Collaborate with teams to automate processes and improve clinical decision-making in senior ca...
2 weeks ago
$160K - $200K *
Drive innovation by designing and developing scalable backend services, collaborating closely with engineering teams to enhance platform performance and reliability while mentoring junior developers a...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive data excellence by designing, developing, and maintaining ETL/ELT pipelines across various platforms, ensuring quality and reliability to support analytics and AI workflows in a collaborative, d...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead the development and operation of next-gen GraphQL infrastructure, ensuring performance, security, and reliability while mentoring teams and collaborating cross-functionally to deliver outstanding...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's dedicated to transforming healthcare data solutions. As a Senior Data Engineer, you'll enhance complex systems, collaborate across departments, and drive analytics to optimize finan...
Reposted 1 week ago
Staff Backend Engineer, Connect (API Platform)
$186K - $242K *
Empower innovation at a rapidly growing team, leading API architecture and integrations. Collaborate across teams to enhance platform capabilities while mentoring engineers and ensuring system reliabi...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Pioneer the development and enhancement of innovative applications, ensuring seamless integration with services. Leverage technical expertise to transform requirements into high-quality, user-friendly...
Reposted 1 week ago
Software Engineer - AI Accelerated Development
$110K - $130K *
Innovate and drive AI agent development for clinical trial platforms, integrating LLMs through the .NET stack. Engage in hands-on engineering to deliver end-to-end AI features, enhancing patient-centr...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Backend Engineer, External
$199K - $235K *
Innovate backend solutions by designing, building, and maintaining scalable services for external pentesting. Collaborate across teams to enhance user experience and ensure system performance, reliabi...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing application services in cloud environments. You'll install and upgrade applications while collaborating with experts to ensure optimal performance and support...
1 week ago
Software Engineer - Crypto Data Foundations
$152K - $179K *
Drive the development of distributed systems for real-time blockchain data ingestion and indexing, owning services from design to production while enhancing performance and reliability across the plat...
Today
$56K - $114K *
Drive the development and support of applications and systems, ensuring quality and performance through coding, testing, and troubleshooting. Collaborate with teams to enhance software solutions and m...
2 weeks ago
$89K - $125K *
Partner with us to integrate new firms into our IT environment, managing Microsoft 365 migrations and Active Directory consolidations while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless...
Yesterday
$127K - $191K *
Create robust, scalable solutions that enhance user experiences for bank administrators and customers. Lead the charge in system design and architecture while guiding and mentoring peers to elevate co...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Elevate your career by driving data engineering excellence in Palantir Foundry, transforming legacy systems into robust pipelines and applications while collaborating with cross-functional teams to de...
1 week ago
Software Engineer III - Full Stack, Angular, Java, AWS
$102K - $136K *
Empower your career by designing and delivering scalable software solutions in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance healthcare supply chain products using modern t...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Overseer (Platform)
$186K - $218K *
Deliver innovative real-time systems that enhance financial integrity across all transactions, ensuring operational excellence and accuracy by collaborating with various teams to enforce robust financ...
3 weeks ago
$82K - $125K *
Develop and enhance software solutions for electric and gas distribution tools, leveraging AI coding assistants. Collaborate with experienced engineers to implement features, ensure quality, and optim...
6 days ago
$80K - $90K *
Unlock your potential by designing prompt strategies that enhance data annotation and localization workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive AI-driven solutions, ensuring quality and...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer II - LLM Observability
$250K - $280K *
Empower the development of AI observability capabilities, architecting data models and infrastructure while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user workflows and insights into AI sys...
5 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Data Ingestion
$199K - $260K *
Champion the development of robust data ingestion pipelines, transforming pentest results into actionable insights. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless data flow and operational...
1 week ago
Senior Backend Software Engineer
$149K - $235K *
Lead complex backend projects from design to launch, tackling architecture challenges and mentoring junior developers. Collaborate across teams to drive initiatives and ensure high-quality code throug...
1 week 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.