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.
Senior Software Engineer, Query
$185K - $255K *
Elevate data management by designing scalable storage solutions and ingestion pipelines. Lead technical direction, optimize performance, and ensure reliable access to historical data for product teams...
5 days ago
Sr Staff Software Engineer- Access Security - Veza
$171K - $300K *
Take ownership of architecting and developing AI-driven backend solutions for Access Security, enhancing identity intelligence and risk detection while collaborating with cross-functional teams to del...
5 days ago
$140K - $165K *
Engage as a Senior Technical Recruiter, driving strategic hiring for R&D roles. Take ownership from intake to offer, optimizing processes for talent acquisition while building strong relationships acr...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$168K - $253K *
Build robust APIs and backend systems as a key player in our AI grocery product. Lead architectural development, partner with cross-functional teams, and grow impactful solutions for grocery stores na...
3 weeks ago
Analyst, Privacy (Privacy Assessments)
$135K - $159K *
Champion privacy excellence by leading assessments and driving compliance across products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance frameworks, streamline processes, and ensure customer data...
1 week ago
Principal Machine Learning Engineer - Central AI
$236K - $309K *
Join a team that's driving AI innovation by developing cutting-edge machine learning algorithms and frameworks that enable seamless integration across products and services, ensuring collaboration and...
3 weeks ago
Lead AI and Data Solution Engineer
$200K - $215K *
Drive the design and deployment of innovative data and AI solutions, leveraging expertise in LLMs, agentic AI, and cloud technologies to enhance business value and ensure compliance with industry stan...
1 week ago
Sr. Staff Software Engineer, Notifications & Growth Platform
$208K - $429K *
Lead the technical vision for user communication systems, driving cross-functional collaboration to enhance engagement and retention through scalable, reliable platforms that leverage AI for improved...
2 weeks ago
Data Scientist (Palantir Foundry)
$120K - $145K *
Unlock the potential of data as a senior data scientist, transforming U.S. Army enterprise data into impactful analytical products and workflows, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to dri...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Innovate enterprise architecture solutions that enhance business operations. Collaborate with IT and business teams to tackle complex challenges, ensuring scalable, secure, and efficient systems acros...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive your career forward as a Senior Business Analyst, collaborating with cross-functional teams to consolidate payment gateways and enhance the US Payments landscape through innovative solutions and...
Yesterday
$129K - $253K *
Champion automation excellence by leading a team to design and implement robust automation strategies, ensuring reliability and security across systems while driving innovation in cloud and applicatio...
Yesterday
Forward Deployed Engineer, Compliance [Office of the CTO]
$218K - $256K *
Grow your career by leveraging AI to enhance compliance workflows. Collaborate with stakeholders, prototype solutions, and drive innovation across global compliance functions to ensure regulatory adhe...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$102K - $128K *
Innovate the mobile experience for a global courier network by architecting premier solutions in Kotlin. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define product features and ensure high-quality soft...
6 days ago
Associate Director, Product (Data)
$165K - $175K *
Empower progress at the forefront of data product management, leading the development of innovative solutions. Drive product success through strategic oversight, client engagement, and cross-functiona...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower cross-functional teams to consolidate payment gateways, leveraging deep USA Payments expertise. Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze requirements, drive migrations, and ensure seamless int...
5 days ago
Senior Game Engineer, Gen AI - Games
$315K - $500K+*
Innovate dynamic gameplay systems by leveraging Generative AI to enhance player experiences. Collaborate closely with designers to prototype and integrate AI features, ensuring seamless performance an...
1 week ago
Lead AI Engineer - TCO Agent Platform
$150K - $180K *
Architect cutting-edge AI solutions in a transformative multi-agent system. Lead a skilled engineering team to innovate financial operations and governance on a cloud-based platform, driving automatio...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Mid-Level Software Engineer - UI/API Application Development
$93K - $179K *
Shape the future of property insurance technology by developing and enhancing critical applications. Collaborate within an Agile team to solve complex problems, improve system reliability, and deliver...
Yesterday
Staff Backend Engineer - Mimir Query, Databases | USA | Remote
$174K - $209K *
Lead the charge in optimizing distributed systems, ensuring performance and reliability for Mimir, a key telemetry database. Collaborate with a remote team to design, maintain, and enhance scalable so...
Reposted yesterday
Principal AI Transformation Consultant, Professional Services
$100K - $185K *
Transform complex workflows by leading AI-driven change initiatives, guiding senior leaders through redesign and adoption processes, and ensuring measurable outcomes in legal, tax, and trade sectors...
1 week ago
$80K - $120K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and develop user-centric web applications, integrating AI-driven insights for high-stakes decision-making workflows while ensuring performance and sec...
Yesterday
$120K - $160K *
Join our dynamic team to design and develop cutting-edge AI platforms, enhancing decision-making workflows through innovative web applications and robust backend services. Collaborate across the full...
5 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop a next-gen AI platform, focusing on intelligent agent frameworks and modern web applications. Collaborate across the full stack to enhance decision-making wor...
6 days ago
Software Engineer II, Mobile (Card Acquisition)
$133K - $183K *
Engage in collaborative software development, breaking down projects into tasks, supporting product lifecycles, and ensuring operational excellence while fostering team growth and community...
6 days 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.