Principal API Architect (AI)

TL;DR

Principal API Architect (AI): Leading the API strategy for agentic and integration-heavy scenarios within Product Engineering with an accent on API standards, governance, and agent-ready foundations. Focus on designing scalable API contracts, orchestration patterns for LLMs, and high-throughput distributed systems.

Location: Must be based in the USA and spend at least 50% of time each quarter in the office or in the field (Pleasanton, CA or other US locations).

Salary: $206,400 – $309,600 USD (Primary location base pay)

Company

A Fortune 500 leader and AI platform for managing people, money, and agents.

What you will do

• Define the API architecture and governance model for Product Engineering across REST, GraphQL, and SOAP.
• Establish OpenAPI contract guidelines, resource modeling, naming conventions, and versioning policies.
• Create reference architectures for agent-ready APIs and orchestration patterns used by the Agent Factory.
• Lead cross-team API design reviews and act as the final decision-maker on high-impact architectural choices.
• Collaborate with platform partners (Gateways, Data Cloud, AI Factory) to ensure consistent capabilities across the request path.
• Mentor staff-level engineers and build a community of practice around API architecture and distributed systems.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience building large-scale, mission-critical backend systems and APIs.
• 5+ years in a senior architecture or staff-plus role with responsibility for organization-wide API/platform architecture.
• Deep hands-on experience using TypeScript or Python to build web services.
• Understanding of the MCP protocol specification and architecture.
• Proven track record of setting and driving technical standards that scale across multiple teams.
• Must be based in the USA.

Nice to have

• Experience with AI-assisted coding tools like Cursor, Claude Code, or GitHub Copilot.
• Expertise in edge and gateway patterns including routing, auth, throttling, and multi-tenancy.
• Familiarity with agentic AI use cases and patterns for integrating LLMs with enterprise APIs.
• Experience with data platforms and analytical stores such as Data Cloud.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible work approach combining remote work with required in-person time (50% per quarter).
• Inclusive environment rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm.
• Support for long-term professional growth and the trust to take technical risks.
• Comprehensive compensation package including bonus plans and annual refresh stock grants.