API Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Colorado.

📋 Description

• Development of APIs: conceptualize and construct APIs that process structured data and provide results to downstream users and applications.

• Structured outputs: create versioned, schema-compliant outputs in various formats, including PDF and JSON, that accurately reflect the underlying data.

• Schemas & versioning: establish and uphold output schemas, data contracts, as well as schema and API versioning, utilizing standards like OpenAPI and JSON Schema, ensuring consumers can depend on consistent interfaces as the system progresses.

• Command-Line Interface (secondary): offer a streamlined command-line interface that replicates the same functionality for automated and batch operations.

• Security & deployment: assist in packaging and deploying services effectively, implementing best practices for access control, dependency management, and compliance in secure or government-related environments.

• Testing & validation: develop unit and integration tests along with output-validation checks to ensure results are accurate, well-formed, and reproducible.

• Documentation & collaboration: document APIs, schemas, and output formats; collaborate with the Science and Platform teams that define the foundational data and logic to maintain clear interfaces.

⛳️ Requirements

• Master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, data science, or a similar field; or a Bachelor's degree with 1-2 years of experience in building APIs, services, or data pipelines; or equivalent practical experience, including military or self-taught backgrounds.

• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language; experience with Python is advantageous, as it is the anticipated production language for this role.

• Familiarity with designing and utilizing REST/JSON APIs and handling structured data formats.

• Understanding of data schemas and versioning, along with the importance of stable data contracts for downstream consumers.

• Proficient with Git, Linux, testing, and command-line workflows.

• Experience in generating documents or reports programmatically (e.g., PDF generation) and producing multiple output formats from a single source of truth.

• Knowledge of schema definition and validation tools (e.g., JSON Schema) and practices for format versioning.

• Exposure to environmental, geospatial, or scientific data, and formats such as GeoJSON or GeoParquet.

• Experience with containerization, Infrastructure-as-Code, and CI/CD to ensure reliable, repeatable builds and deployments (e.g., Docker, Terraform or CloudFormation, GitHub Actions).

• Background in systems, infrastructure, or networking, along with familiarity in secure deployment on AWS (e.g., access management, or a security credential such as CC or Security+).

• Experience with R, including Shiny, or other languages for data applications and rapid prototyping.

• Familiarity with Rust or a desire to contribute to Rust-based tools.

• Located in the Colorado Front Range area for occasional in-person collaboration.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage for employees at no monthly cost.

• Healthcare benefits include medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.

• Personal Time Off (PTO) policy along with paid holidays.

• Highly competitive compensation structure regularly assessed against industry and location benchmarks.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – everyone becomes a company owner!

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Employee assistance program (EAP).

• Short- and long-term disability insurance.

• Life and accident insurance.

• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement available annually.

• Spot bonuses awarded for exceptional performance.

• Annual Employee Recognition Awards accompanied by bonuses.

• Employee Referral Program.

• Access to a centralized, self-directed Learning Management System for learning at your own pace.

• Tailored career growth plans for every employee.