The Cooperative Finance Association, Inc

Compensation

Full Description

API & Service Layer ArchitectPosition 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: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: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 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