API Solutions Architect

Location: Arlington, VA

Department: WDP

540 is seeking an API Solutions Architect to support a mission-critical technology modernization effort for the Department of War. You will design and govern secure, scalable APIs that enable internal platform components and external mission systems to exchange data while aligning with DoW policies, reference architectures, and enterprise integration standards.

Working with software engineers, systems architects, cybersecurity teams, and mission stakeholders, you will develop API specifications, governance processes, and reusable standards using Apigee, Gravitee, and related technologies. The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex integration challenges and creating practical standards that help engineering teams deliver secure, interoperable, and reliable services.

Location: Arlington, VA
Citizenship & Clearance Requirement: Per client requirements, candidates must be U.S. Citizens with an active DoW Secret (or higher) clearance
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience will be considered
540 Internal Thrive Level: Solutions Architect II or III

WHY 540?

540 is a forward-thinking company that the government turns to in order to #getshitdone. We don’t just talk about innovation – we deliver it. We break down barriers, build impactful technology, and solve mission-critical problems.

HOW YOU’LL DRIVE IMPACT

• Design and maintain the API architecture, standards, and integration patterns supporting WDP
• Design, document, and publish RESTful APIs using OpenAPI, JSON Schema, and related standards
• Configure and manage APIs, policies, gateways, developer portals, and lifecycle processes using Apigee and Gravitee
• Develop API governance processes covering design, review, versioning, publishing, monitoring, and retirement
• Create reusable API patterns, templates, and reference implementations that promote consistency across engineering teams
• Define versioning and change-management strategies that support backward compatibility and platform evolution
• Develop API documentation, integration guides, and onboarding resources for developers and mission partners
• Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to ensure APIs meet functional, performance, scalability, and usability requirements
• Partner with cybersecurity teams to implement authentication, authorization, encryption, rate limiting, threat protection, and other API security controls
• Monitor API usage, performance, availability, and adoption through Apigee, Gravitee, or related observability tools
• Ensure API designs align with DoW reference architectures, enterprise integration standards, and mission objectives
• Participate in architecture reviews and troubleshoot complex API integration, gateway, and interoperability issues

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 4+ years of relevant API architecture, integration, or software engineering experience
• Experience designing and implementing APIs for enterprise-scale distributed systems
• Hands-on experience with Apigee, Gravitee, or a comparable API management platform
• Strong knowledge of RESTful API design, API lifecycle management, and interface governance
• Experience developing API specifications using OpenAPI, Swagger, JSON Schema, or similar frameworks
• Experience configuring API gateways, policies, routing, rate limits, security controls, and monitoring
• Experience implementing API versioning, backward compatibility, and change-management strategies
• Experience with authentication and authorization technologies such as OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, JWT, or PKI
• Experience integrating APIs across cloud-native, microservices, or service-oriented architectures
• Strong understanding of API security and secure software development practices
• Experience with cloud platforms and containerized applications
• Ability to analyze integration challenges and develop scalable, maintainable API solutions
• Strong communication and documentation skills, including the ability to explain architecture decisions to technical and nontechnical audiences

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience administering or supporting Apigee and Gravitee in production environments
• Experience supporting DoW, federal, Advana, or other enterprise data platforms
• Familiarity with DoW architecture frameworks, reference designs, and interoperability standards
• Experience with event-driven architectures, asynchronous messaging, and related integration patterns
• Experience automating API governance through linting, contract testing, and CI/CD validation
• Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, service mesh technologies, or cloud-native architectures
• Familiarity with zero trust and secure API design in classified, regulated, or mission-critical environments
• Currently holds, or is willing to obtain within 30 days of employment, an approved certification such as SecurityX, CCSP, Cloud+, CSSLP, FITSP-D, GDSA, or GSEC

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Flexible PTO + all Federal holidays off
• Health, dental and vision insurance plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401k with employer match
• Company-sponsored life insurance, short- and long-term disability 
• Professional development (training, certifications, conferences)
• Paid cloud developer accounts
• Referral bonuses
• HQ office perks (parking / metro reimbursement, nitro coffee & lunches) 
• Annual social events (540 Week, hackathon, charity golf tournament, etc.)
• Access to 540’s Washington Capitals & Nationals tickets

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)

540's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.