Sandton: Data Engineer/API Developer

API Developer (Contract) Location: South Africa (Hybrid / Remote depending on delivery needs) Contract: 6-month contract (renewable) Industry: Enterprise / Financial Services / Data Platforms Role Overview We are seeking an experienced API Developer to design, develop, and maintain secure, scalable, enterprise-grade APIs that enable seamless integration between internal platforms and external services. This role sits at the core of enterprise data and integration architecture , supporting microservices , real-time data processing , and high-volume transactional systems in a regulated environment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on API specialist who can operate confidently in complex ecosystems, collaborate with architects and data engineers, and deliver production-ready APIs with strong governance and security standards. Key Responsibilities API Design & Development Design, develop, and maintain RESTful and SOAP APIs for enterprise data exchange Build secure, reusable, and well-documented API endpoints Implement authentication and authorisation mechanisms including OAuth2, API keys, and token-based security Ensure API versioning, lifecycle management, and backward compatibility Integration & Architecture Integrate APIs with internal enterprise systems and third-party platforms Support microservices architectures and event-driven / asynchronous communication Enable secure and efficient API-based data ingestion and delivery Performance, Security & Governance Optimise APIs for performance, scalability, and reliability Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting using API management and observability tools Ensure compliance with security, governance, and data protection standards (e.g. POPIA) Collaboration Work closely with data engineers, solution architects, DevOps teams, and business stakeholders Participate in design reviews, integration discussions, and delivery planning DevOps & CI/CD Use Git-based version control for API codebases Contribute to CI/CD pipelines for automated build, test, and deployment Support environment promotion and production releases Required Skills & Experience Core Technical Skills Strong, hands-on experience building RESTful APIs in enterprise environments Experience with API Gateway / API Management platforms Solid development experience using Python and/or C# , with strong SQL capability Exposure to Java and/or R is advantageous Cloud & Data Exposure Working knowledge of Azure services , including integration with data platforms Experience supporting APIs that interact with ETL processes, data models, and data warehouses Familiarity with API monitoring, logging, and performance tooling Delivery Environment Experience working in Agile / DevOps environments Comfortable operating in regulated, high-compliance environments Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across technical and business teams Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology , or a related field 3–5 years’ experience in API development, backend integration, or data engineering roles Azure and/or API Management certifications are advantageous What We’re Looking For Someone who has built APIs , not just tested or consumed them Strong understanding of API security, governance, and lifecycle management A delivery-focused professional who can plug into an enterprise team quickly Comfortable working on complex integration problems in production environments Why This Role Work on large-scale, enterprise integration platforms Exposure to modern data and API architectures Contract role with strong potential for extension based on delivery Interested? If you are an experienced API Developer who thrives in enterprise environments and enjoys solving complex integration challenges, we’d love to hear from you.