API Architect

Axos BankTarget Range:$140,000.00 /Yr. - $170,000.00 /YrActual starting pay will vary based on factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.Eligible for an Annual Discretionary Cash Bonus Target: 10%Eligible for an Annual Discretionary Restricted Stock Units Bonus Target: 10%These discretionary target bonuses may be awarded semi-annually based upon your achievement of performance goals and targets.About This JobAt Axos, we're building the next generation of banking technology. The API Architect will lead the strategy, governance, and evolution of our enterprise API platform while expanding its capabilities as a secure AI gateway. This role drives the standards, tools, and frameworks that enable teams to rapidly deliver innovative digital and AI-powered solutions while maintaining enterprise-grade security, compliance, reliability, and observability.Working closely with engineering, AI/ML, and security teams, the API Architect will define platform roadmaps, establish governance and lifecycle management standards, and oversee modernization efforts across APIs, AI integrations, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) services on Apigee X. This leader will play a critical role in accelerating innovation, improving developer experience, and ensuring Axos remains at the forefront of secure, scalable, AI-enabled financial technology.Responsibilities:Design and operate a comprehensive API and AI gateway governance framework on Apigee X, covering REST/SOAP services, LLM proxies, and MCP servers under a single policy planeOwn governance of the platforms and of the AI solutions and workloads built on them — define and enforce solution standards, risk tiering, approval and promotion gates, observability requirements, and compliance attestation, holding consuming engineering teams accountable to themDevelop enterprise-wide API and AI consumption strategy, including model routing, token-aware rate limiting, semantic caching, and cost-attribution for LLM workloadsEstablish MCP server governance patterns — auth (OAuth/Entra ID), audit, rate limiting, and policy enforcement on every MCP tool call exposed to internal AI agents or external consumersImplement AI safety controls for prompt-injection defense, PII detection/redaction, jailbreak detection, and response filteringDefine LLM API design standards covering provider abstraction (Vertex AI, Anthropic, OpenAI, Bedrock), failover, prompt/response logging, and red-team evaluationCreate security and compliance protocols for the API and AI ecosystem aligned to financial services regulatory requirements (BSA, GLBA, CCPA) and emerging AI guidance (NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001)Design scalable microservices and AI-agent integration architectures, including agent-to-tool and agent-to-API interaction patterns through the gatewayDevelop platform performance, reliability, and observability strategies — including token consumption telemetry, model latency tracking, and SLO management for AI endpointsPartner with the Center of Excellence (CoE) to define citizen developer and AI agent enablement patterns that route all programmatic AI access through the governed gatewayActively contribute to technical implementation across Apigee X proxies, shared flows, Model Armor templates, and MCP server integration when team resources are constrainedTeam Management Requirements:Performance management and professional development, including building team capability in AI and LLM operationsResource allocation and project planning across concurrent API modernization (Apigee Edge Apigee X) and AI gateway buildoutTechnical coaching on Apigee X policies, MCP protocol patterns, and LLM integration best practicesAbility to step in and perform hands-on engineering work on Apigee proxies, shared flows, MCP integrations, and AI policy configurationRequirements:5+ years enterprise API architecture experience, with at least 1+ years on Apigee X or another AI-capable gatewayApigee platform knowledge — proxies, shared flows, policy chains, environments, and integration with Google Cloud servicesDemonstrated experience designing, deploying, or governing LLM API integrations (OpenAI, Anthropic, Vertex AI, AWS Bedrock, or equivalent) in a production environmentWorking knowledge of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) — server implementation patterns, tool/resource exposure, transport options (stdio, and authentication modelsFamiliarity with AI-specific security risks — prompt injection, data exfiltration through tool calls, indirect injection, jailbreaks — and the gateway-layer controls that mitigate themProven track record of cross-functional deliveryExperience in Python, Java, or Node.js, with the ability to read and modify Apigee policy XML/JavaScript and to prototype LLM client and MCP server codeExperience in microservices and cloud architecture, particularly on Google Cloud (Apigee X, Vertex AI, IAM, VPC)Advanced understanding of OAuth, OIDC, mTLS, JWT, and API security protocols, including how these apply to AI agent authentication and delegated accessExperience with CI/CD pipeline design for API proxies and policy artifacts, with promotion gates suitable for AI-impacting changesPreferred Certifications:Apigee Certified ProfessionalGoogle Cloud Professional Cloud Architect or Professional Machine Learning EngineerCloud Architecture certification (AWS / Azure / GCP)TOGAF or similar enterprise architecture certificationAI governance / responsible AI credential (e.g., IAPP AIGP) — desirablePreferred Skills:Financial services technology background with familiarity in BSA, GLBA, CCPA, and model risk management (SR 11-7) considerations as they extend to GenAIHands-on experience with Apigee X AI/ML proxy patterns, Model Armor configuration, and Vertex AI integrationExperience building or deploying MCP servers in production, including governance over which tools/resources are exposed to which agent identitiesAPI management governance experience across hybrid traditional and AI workloadsDevOps and infrastructure-as-code expertise (Terraform, Apigee deployment tooling, GitHub Actions or equivalent)Familiarity with LLM evaluation, prompt management, and red-teaming workflowsDemonstrated of tactical engineering across both API and AI domainsAxos Employee Benefits May Include:Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life InsurancePaid Sick Leave, 3 weeks’ Vacation, and Holidays (about 11 a year)HSA or FSA account and other voluntary benefits401(k) Retirement Saving Plan with Employer Match Program and 529 Savings PlanEmployee Mortgage Loan Program and free access to an Axos Bank Account with Self-Directed TradingAbout AxosBorn digital-first, Axos delivers financial tools and services that allow individuals, small businesses, and companies to access and manage their money how, when, and where they want. We’re a diverse team of dynamic, insightful, and independent innovators who are excited to provide technology-driven solutions that offer unbeatable value to our customers.Axos Financial is our holding company and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AX" (NYSE: AX).Learn more about working at AxosPre-Employment Background Check and Drug Test:All offers are contingent upon the candidate successfully passing a credit check, criminal background check, and pre-employment drug screening, which includes screening for marijuana. Axos Bank is a federally regulated banking institution. At the federal level, marijuana is an illegal schedule 1 drug; therefore, we will not employ any person who tests positive for marijuana, regardless of state legalization.Equal Employment Opportunity:Axos is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.Job Functions and Work Environment:While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit for extended periods of time. Manual dexterity and coordination are required while operating standard office equipment such as computer keyboard and mouse, calculator, telephone, copiers, etc.The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.E-Verify and Right to Work NoticesAxos participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program in all facilities located in the United States. The E-Verify program is an internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish)E-Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish)SummaryLocation: HQ - San Diego, CA; Centennial, COType: Full time