API Developer

Founded in 2007, Initiate Government Solutions (IGS) is a Woman-Owned Small Business and a fully remote IT services provider supporting federal partners nationwide. We deliver innovative Enterprise IT and Health Services solutions with a strong focus on data analytics, health informatics, cloud migration, AI, and the modernization of federal information systems.

Our vision is to be a health IT trendsetter, continuing to solve the nation’s most challenging healthcare IT issues by conceiving, designing, and building solid, creative, and innovative open-source solutions. 

Our mission is to innovate, design, and deliver tailored solutions that balance technical advancement with cost-awareness while providing exceptional service.

IGS is currently recruiting for a remote API Developer to support our work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

Assignment of Work and Travel:

This is a remote access assignment. The Candidate will work remotely daily and will remotely access VA systems and therein use approved VA provided communications systems. Travel is not required; however, the candidate may be required to attend onsite client meetings as requested.

This program is a transformative initiative by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs aimed at modernizing and streamlining access to VA data and services through secure, reliable, and scalable APIs. As a member of the team, you will play a key role in designing, developing, and supporting API solutions that empower veterans, partners, and internal stakeholders to access critical information and services efficiently.

In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams—including product managers, engineers, security specialists, and business analysts—to deliver high-quality API products in alignment with federal standards and VA objectives. You will contribute to the program’s mission of improving veteran experiences by enabling digital innovation, ensuring compliance, and promoting best practices in API development and platform management.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on veteran care and benefits delivery, while working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities and Duties (Included but not limited to):

• API Design & Documentation: Define and document API specifications, endpoints, data models, and protocols (REST, GraphQL) using tools like OpenAPI.
• API Development: Build and implement APIs using programming languages and frameworks such as Java (Spring Boot/Spring Batch), Python, Ruby, and .NET.
• Integration: Ensure seamless integration of APIs with internal systems, external applications, and third-party services.
• Testing & Debugging: Write unit, integration, and end-to-end tests for APIs. Debug and resolve issues to ensure reliability and performance.
• Security: Implement authentication, authorization, encryption, and other security best practices to protect data and services.
• Performance Optimization: Monitor and optimize API performance, scalability, and reliability using tools like Jaeger, OpenTracing, and GitHub Actions.
• Versioning & Compatibility: Manage API versions and ensure backward compatibility as APIs evolve.
• Collaboration: Work closely with front-end and back-end developers, architects, QA engineers, and other stakeholders to deliver robust solutions.
• Documentation & Support: Create and maintain clear, comprehensive documentation for API consumers, including usage examples and best practices. Provide ongoing support and implement enhancements based on user feedback. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with Java (SpringBoot and/or SpringBatch), SQL, and RESTful web services.
• Hands-on exposure to AWS Cloud and cloud-native development.
• Experience with GitHub, GitHub Actions, Git Releases, and Jaeger.
• Exposure to and/or use of Oracle, RDS, Document DBs (e.g., DynamoDB, MongoDB), and Python.
• Containerization experience using Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm.
• Familiarity with Backstage.io, OpenAPI, and OpenTracing.
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail
• Analytical mind and problem-solving aptitude
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance
• Strong organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications and Core Competencies:

• Active VA Public Trust
• Prior experience supporting federal agencies, especially the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Certifications in cloud technologies, API development, or secure software engineering.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Prior, successful experience working in a remote environment

Successful IGS employees embody the following Core Values:

• Integrity, Honesty, and Ethics: We conduct our business with the highest level of ethics. Doing things like being accountable for mistakes, accepting helpful criticism, and following through on commitments to ourselves, each other, and our customers. 
• Empathy, Emotional Intelligence: How we interact with others including peers, colleagues, stakeholders, and customers’ matters. We take collective responsibility to create an environment where colleagues and customers feel valued, included, and respected. We work within a diverse, integrated, and collaborative team to drive towards accomplishing the larger mission. We conscientiously and meticulously learn about our customers’ and end-users’ business drivers and challenges to ensure solutions meet not only technical needs but also support their mission.
• Strong Work Ethic (Reliability, Dedication, Productivity): We are driven by a strong, self-motivated, and results-driven work ethic. We are reliable, accountable, proactive, and tenacious and will do what it takes to get the job done. 
• Life-Long Learner (Curious, Perspective, Goal Oriented): We challenge ourselves to continually learn and improve ourselves. We strive to be an expert in our field, continuously honing our craft, and finding solutions where others see problems.  

Compensation: There are a host of factors that can influence final salary, including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

Benefits: Initiate Government Solutions offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care, matching 401K and profit sharing, paid time off, training time for personal development, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid life insurance, employer-paid short and long term disability coverage, an education assistance program with potential merit increases for obtaining a work-related certification, employee recognition, and referral programs, spot bonuses, and other benefits that help provide financial protection for the employee and their family.

Initiate Government Solutions participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program.