API Solutions Architect with Security Clearance

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.