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 - Backend
$155K - $175K *
Transform customer experience by designing and delivering robust APIs and backend services. Own production features end-to-end, ensuring reliability and quality while collaborating with cross-function...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
R0121110 Senior Software Engineer - UI/API Application Development
$114K - $218K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic engineering team to modernize and enhance critical insurance platforms, leveraging diverse technologies and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver r...
Yesterday
Software Engineer (Android / iOS)
$86K - $134K *
Innovate as you design and develop scalable mobile applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver secure user experiences on Android and iOS platforms, while utilizing AI-assisted...
Reposted 1 week ago
$138K - $192K *
Elevate your career by driving frontend architecture and building innovative web applications. Collaborate cross-functionally to shape the technical roadmap and mentor peers while ensuring high-qualit...
5 days ago
Principal Engineer - Full Stack
$135K - $145K *
Shape innovative solutions across diverse platforms in a collaborative engineering team. Leverage your extensive software engineering experience to elevate project quality, drive technical discussions...
Reposted 1 week ago
Application Engineer III - D&L
$95K - $115K *
Grow your career with a dynamic role focused on delivering innovative technical solutions. As a key advisor, you'll guide internal teams through complex integrations, ensuring operational efficiency a...
1 week ago
Member of Technical Staff, Deeptune Environments
$150K - $180K *
Elevate your career by joining an innovative team focused on building cutting-edge RL environments. Contribute to AI breakthroughs, partner with top labs, and thrive in a hands-on, high-impact role wh...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Engineer, Platform Engineering - AI
$110K - $130K *
Join us to architect and optimize AI/ML infrastructure, ensuring seamless deployment and management of GPU clusters and workflow automation. Drive innovative solutions as part of a dynamic team focuse...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that drives backend development for innovative sales solutions. Collaborate on designing API services and integrating systems with Microsoft Dynamics 365, ensuring performance and scalabil...
3 weeks ago
$112K - $135K *
Engineer robust backend services that power enterprise-scale applications by integrating CRM systems with third-party platforms, ensuring seamless data workflows and user experiences. Take ownership o...
4 weeks ago
$130K - $180K *
Grow your career with a dynamic AI team, designing and deploying applications across various business use cases, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive transformation and deliver impactful solu...
1 month ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead and inspire a team of engineers in developing cutting-edge mobile and web solutions, ensuring high delivery standards and cross-functional collaboration to optimize customer experiences and lever...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead a dynamic engineering team to deliver innovative mobile and web solutions. Drive technical direction, optimize workflows using AI, and collaborate cross-functionally to create exceptional custome...
3 weeks ago
Digital Enterprise Project Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team as a Digital Enterprise Project Engineer, where you'll leverage your software development skills to enhance engineering projects, coordinate multidisciplinary efforts, and drive in...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Join our team as you implement change requests and troubleshoot connectivity issues. You'll work with advanced networking technologies, ensuring seamless operations and customer satisfaction while par...
5 days ago
Staff Software Engineer, Identity & Access - AI Platform
$220K - $260K *
Innovate secure identity management practices by defining and developing authentication, authorization, and delegation systems for agentic AI applications. This role requires a strategic leader with a...
3 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Identity & Access - AI Platform
$220K - $260K *
Grow your career with a high-impact role designing and building identity systems for agentic AI. Lead the technical direction for authentication, authorization, and on-behalf-of access, while collabor...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Take ownership of the technical strategy for a pioneering AI-native platform, making critical engineering decisions that influence the organization's future while mentoring a team to elevate overall t...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$130K - $260K *
Transform user experiences by developing dynamic frontend and backend applications. Collaborate with cutting-edge technologies to create scalable solutions that enhance efficiency and drive mission su...
6 days ago
$130K - $170K *
Drive the development of core systems for property tax, insurance, and mortgage, ensuring reliability and scalability. Collaborate with founders and cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences...
2 days ago
Software Engineer, Product Backend
$140K - $265K *
Unlock your potential by leading the development of innovative user features. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create elegant solutions while shaping scalable backend systems that enhance us...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Software Engineer, Applied AI
$224K - $308K *
Empower our team to build innovative digital workers, enhancing identity operations and security. Collaborate closely with leadership to deliver reliable AI solutions that meet the needs of over 20,00...
5 days ago
$132K - $175K *
Join a dynamic team as a Lead Platform Engineer, driving the design and evolution of our Operational Decisioning Platform. You'll tackle complex distributed systems challenges, mentor engineers, and s...
2 days ago
$130K - $155K *
Shape the future of AI by building innovative solutions for robotics, AV, and healthcare. Drive end-to-end product development, collaborating with customers to solve complex challenges in data annotat...
2 weeks ago
Senior Staff Data Platform Engineer - Data Access Team
$201K - $352K *
Architect the data access layer within our platform, enhancing speed, security, and reliability of data retrieval. Lead innovations across various database engines, driving architectural strategy and...
3 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.