API Governance Specialist

API Governance Specialist

The API Governance specialist is a pivotal role responsible for establishing and enforcing API standards, security, and lifecycle management across the project platform. With deep experience in backend/integration development, expertise in OpenAPI, OAuth2/JWT, and gateways like Apigee or AWS, the specialist will maintain a central API registry, ensure compliance with CERT-In standards, and drive seamless integration across integration end-points such as DigiLocker, PFMS, and eSakshi. Collaborating with DevOps and PMO, the specialist conducts audits, monitors performance, and fosters an API-first culture to deliver scalable, secure, and reusable digital services.

Educational Qualification

Bachelors Degree in Computer Science / Information Technology / Electronics / related discipline from a recognised institution.

Desirable: Postgraduate diploma or certification in Software Architecture / API Management / Cloud Technologies.

Preferred Certifications: Postman API Expert, Google Apigee, AWS API Gateway, or SwaggerHub certification.

Experience

Minimum: 8-10 years of hands-on experience in backend development or integration engineering, preferably in large-scale e-governance, public sector, or citizen-facing digital platforms.

Proven exposure to microservices architecture, RESTful API design, event-driven systems, and cloud-native deployments.

Experience in API lifecycle management (design publish version deprecate retire) in multi-team environments.

Core Technical Skills

Domain

Required Proficiency

API Design & Documentation

Expert in OpenAPI 3.x / Swagger, JSON Schema, YAML; async APIs (AsyncAPI) is a plus

API Gateways & Management

Hands-on with NGINX, Reverse Proxy, Apigee, Kong, AWS API Gateway, or NIC SIH stack (e.g., eGov API Manager)

Security & Access Control

Deep knowledge of OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, JWT, mTLS, API Keys, rate-limiting, and CERT-In compliance

Version Control & CI/CD

Proficient in GitLab / GitHub, GitFlow, CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, Jenkins, Tekton)

Backend & Data

Working experience with PHP, Python or (Express/NestJS) , MySQL, JSON:API standards

Observability

API monitoring using Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, Datadog, or MoEngage/New Relic APM

Integration Ecosystems

Familiarity with DigiLocker, UMANG, PFMS, Aadhaar eSign, eSakshi, eHashtakshar, and Government Open APIs (India Stack)

Key Responsibilities

1. API Registry & Catalogue Ownership

Maintain a centralized, real-time API Registry (using Backstage, Stoplight, or custom portal) documenting all project endpoints, owners, consumers, SLAs, and version history.

1. Standards & Design Authority

Define, publish, and enforce API design guidelines (naming, pagination, error codes, HATEOAS, filtering) aligned with OpenAPI, and NIC standards.

Review and approve API specifications before publication via PR-based governance workflow.

1. Lifecycle & Versioning Governance

Oversee semantic versioning, backward compatibility, and deprecation workflows across project modules.

Coordinate sunset planning with PMO and module owners.

1. Security & Compliance Enforcement

Ensure 100% adoption of OAuth2/JWT, IP allow-listing, rate-limiting, and CERT-In audit readiness.

Conduct penetration testing reviews and vulnerability remediation for public-facing APIs.

1. Cross-Module Integration Support

Enable seamless API consumption across Attendance, PLOT, GAMS, PFMS, DigiLocker, eSakshi, and Member/Committee portals.

Facilitate API mocking, sandbox environments, and developer onboarding.

1. Observability & Performance

Collaborate with DevOps to monitor API uptime (99.9), latency (P95 300ms), error rates, and payload efficiency.

Generate monthly analytics dashboards for leadership.

1. Audit, Reporting & Change Control

Conduct quarterly API governance audits and present compliance reports to PMO and Enterprise Architect.

Participate in Change Advisory Board (CAB) for API-breaking changes and release planning.

1. Enablement & Knowledge Management

Maintain living documentation repositories (Confluence / Notion), Postman Collections, and API training bootcamps. Promote API-first culture and reuse via incentives and recognition programs.