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.
Director of Software Engineering, Platform Services
$208K - $306K *
Join a team that's redefining engineering excellence by leading platform services that enhance software development. Drive innovation, consolidate capabilities, and foster a culture of collaboration t...
2 weeks ago
Research Engineer - Data and Evaluation
$150K - $350K *
Transform the landscape of reinforcement learning by designing evaluations and environments that enhance model training and performance. Collaborate with researchers to identify and address model fail...
5 days ago
Senior Manager, Research Solutions Engineering
$82K - $87K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing research through technology. Lead and mentor a talented group of professionals in delivering high-performance computing solutions that support innovative rese...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Staff Applied AI Engineer (Tech Lead)
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of AI by leading technical direction and architecture for innovative agent systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, security, and efficiency while mentoring...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager, Applied AI
$153K - $213K *
Drive efficiency by automating internal processes, enhancing productivity across teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, implement AI solutions, and ensure measurable impact on w...
1 week ago
Staff Software Engineer – Data Acquisition
$140K - $173K *
Transform data acquisition processes by leading the development of high-performance ingestion pipelines. Collaborate across teams to ensure data quality, reliability, and security while shaping the fu...
Yesterday
Software Engineer, Host Assurance
$135K - $160K *
Shape and build infrastructure trust systems, ensuring secure and reliable operations at scale. Collaborate with multiple teams to create resilient solutions that support machine identity, attestation...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate your development skills in a collaborative environment, leveraging modern cloud infrastructure to create dynamic solutions. Join a team that values fresh perspectives and nurtures growth whil...
3 weeks ago
Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) Engineer
$100K - $125K *
Unlock your potential as you design and maintain enterprise identity governance solutions, enhancing cybersecurity and automating identity processes while collaborating with stakeholders to ensure com...
Yesterday
Senior Solutions Engineer, In-App
$200K - $220K *
Accelerate progress at the intersection of engineering and product, ensuring strategic publishers successfully integrate and scale the in-app SDK, driving revenue through technical excellence and inno...
4 weeks ago
$109K - $144K *
Reimagine healthcare technology as an Application Analyst supporting Epic Professional Billing. Leverage your expertise in revenue cycle operations to optimize billing accuracy and enhance workflow ef...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Unlock your potential as a Principal Software Developer, driving the design and deployment of cutting-edge AI platforms. Collaborate across the full stack to create intelligent applications that enhan...
6 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Unlock your potential in an early-stage startup by taking ownership of technology and product features, while crafting exceptional user experiences with a collaborative team dedicated to innovation an...
3 weeks ago
$170K - $240K *
Lead the design and development of scalable data solutions, integrating healthcare data and optimizing performance within an Azure Databricks environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to en...
Yesterday
Product Designer (Injective Labs)
$100K - $120K *
Deliver innovative design solutions for web products and DAPPs in DeFi. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance user experience while managing diverse design projects and ensuring product quality th...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Full Stack Software Engineer
$150K - $175K *
Join us to develop scalable full-stack applications using React, TypeScript, and Java. Collaborate across teams to enhance user experience and contribute to best practices in a cloud-native microservi...
1 week ago
Director of Engineering, Data Labs
$252K - $300K *
Unlock potential by leading the technical strategy for Data Labs, guiding engineering teams to innovate AI training solutions, and shaping the future of model evaluation and deployment in a rapidly ev...
2 days ago
Staff Software Engineer (Remote)
$135K - $190K *
Innovate scalable, cloud-native APIs with .NET and Java/Kotlin. Lead architecture discussions, enhance core offerings, and collaborate across teams to deliver high-value system components in a dynamic...
Yesterday
Principal Sales Infrastructure Analyst, Analytics Engineering
$156K - $204K *
Drive data alignment and enhance business processes by designing robust data pipelines and infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data quality and accessibility, enabling ef...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Manage a talented engineering team, driving software development and community collaboration while maintaining high-quality standards and executing on ambitious goals effectively. Engage directly with...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior AI Software Engineer, Agentic Systems & Data Fabric
$135K - $160K *
Unlock potential by joining a cross-functional team to design and implement scalable AI workflows on a multi-cloud data platform, ensuring secure data governance and integration for enterprise applica...
2 weeks ago
Business Analyst/Scrum Master (Drupal)
$75K - $140K *
Engage with stakeholders to gather and manage user needs, translating them into technical requirements. Lead Agile processes, facilitate workshops, and enhance business operations through strategic pl...
2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Native Mobile
$218K - $256K *
Unlock cutting-edge mobile technology by leading the native app rewrite. Leverage your expertise in Swift and Kotlin to drive quality architecture, enhance developer experience, and mentor teams to de...
3 weeks ago
$94K - $179K *
Join a team that's dedicated to designing and developing high-quality software solutions. Lead agile projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure robust application systems that meet user needs and i...
2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Cost Engineering)
$181K - $241K *
Drive cost transparency and governance across our cloud and AI infrastructure. Lead automation and process design for a multi-cloud environment, influencing overall cost strategy while ensuring operat...
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.