API & Service Layer Architect

Position Overview

Contract Duration: 6 months
Location: Remote or Hybrid (Kansas City area)
Rate: Hourly (contract position)
Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship

About the Project

Lead the API and service layer architecture for a comprehensive expansion of our lending platform. You’ll design and implement a scalable microservices architecture that connects a modern React frontend to Azure Databricks data lake, while maintaining integrations with Salesforce, loan servicing, and document management systems.

Core Responsibilities

Architect and implement RESTful and GraphQL API gateway serving React 18+ frontend applications
Design microservices architecture with clear separation of concerns and domain boundaries
Build service layer integrating Azure Databricks data lake with operational business logic
Implement authentication/authorization using Azure AD with RBAC and multi-factor authentication
Create API specifications and documentation using OpenAPI/Swagger standards
Establish caching strategies (Redis) and performance optimization patterns for <500ms API response times
Design event-driven patterns for real-time data updates from Databricks streaming pipelines

Required Technical Skills

API Architecture: RESTful design, GraphQL schema design, API gateway patterns, microservices architecture
Backend Development: Node.js (Express.js) OR Python (FastAPI), with strong async/concurrent programming
Authentication & Security: OAuth 2.0, JWT, Azure AD/MSAL integration, RBAC implementation
Database: PostgreSQL (relational design, query optimization), Redis (caching strategies)
Azure Cloud Services: App Services, Container Instances/AKS, API Management, Application Insights
Integration Patterns: Service mesh, message queues, event-driven architecture, circuit breakers
DevOps: Docker containerization, CI/CD (Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions), Infrastructure as Code

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Azure Databricks REST API integration and data lake access patterns
GraphQL implementation experience with complex data relationships
Salesforce API integration (REST/SOAP, bulk APIs)
TypeScript for Node.js backend development
Kubernetes orchestration and service mesh (Istio, Linkerd)
API rate limiting, throttling, and quota management
Agricultural finance, fintech, or loan servicing domain knowledge
SOC 2 Type II compliance implementation experience

Technical Environment

Backend: Node.js 18+/Python 3.9+, Express.js/FastAPI
APIs: REST, GraphQL, OpenAPI/Swagger documentation
Database: PostgreSQL, Redis
Cloud: Microsoft Azure (App Services, Databricks, Key Vault, API Management)
Auth: Azure AD, MSAL, OAuth 2.0
Frontend: React 18+ with TypeScript, Redux Toolkit (API integration awareness)
Tools: Git/GitHub, Docker, Azure DevOps, Postman/Insomnia
Monitoring: Application Insights, Azure Monitor

Success Criteria

API gateway operational with <500ms average response time and 99.9% uptime
Complete OpenAPI documentation enabling self-service frontend development
Authentication/authorization framework supporting role-based access with MFA
Comprehensive test coverage (>85%) with unit, integration, and contract tests
Security controls meeting SOC 2 Type II requirements
Production-ready deployment with monitoring, logging, and alerting

How to Apply

Submit your resume to cfacareers@cfafs.com with a git portfolio showing work in API/microservices architectures you’ve designed and scaled, Azure cloud service implementations with authentication/security and/or GraphQL or complex REST API projects. Also showcase any Integration work with data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, etc.)

CFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $28.03 - $33.76 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: Remote

The Cooperative Finance Association, Inc

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API & Service Layer Architect