API Technical Lead – Ruby

Initiate Government Solutions, LLC.

API Technical Lead Ruby providing technical leadership and hands-on API development at Initiate Government Solutions. Supporting federal partners with innovative IT and Health Services solutions.

Posted 5/1/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

GraphQLMySQLPostgresRSpecRubyRuby on Rails

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the design and development of APIs, including specifications, endpoints, data models, and protocols such as REST and GraphQL.
Provide technical leadership to a team of 3–4 developers, guiding design decisions and engineering best practices.
Remain hands-on in the codebase, contributing production-grade code for core services.
Conduct code reviews to ensure code quality, maintainability, and security.
Partner closely with the Engineering Crew Lead and API Architect to review solution design and deliver robust, scalable solutions.
Ensure seamless integration of APIs with internal systems, external applications, and third-party services.
Promote the effective use of AI-enabled tools in the API development lifecycle to improve productivity and code quality.
Create and maintain clear, comprehensive API documentation for consumers, including usage guidance and best practices.
Implement and uphold security best practices, including authentication, authorization, and encryption.
Interface with external engineering teams to ensure alignment on technical standards, governance requirements, compliance obligations, and ongoing CATO maintenance.
Monitor and optimize API performance, reliability, and scalability.
Manage API versioning and support backward compatibility as services evolve.
Provide ongoing support, troubleshoot production issues, and implement enhancements based on stakeholder feedback.
Participate in Tier 1 and Tier 2 on-call operations.

Requirements

What you’ll need

6+ years of strong Ruby on Rails experience
Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL or MySQL.
Experience with the RSpec testing framework.
Strong experience designing, building, and maintaining APIs.
Ability to lead engineering teams while remaining hands-on with development.
US Citizenship required due to clearance requirement

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
referral programs
spot bonuses
other benefits that help provide financial protection for the employee and their family

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

Ruby on RailsAPIsRESTGraphQLPostgreSQLMySQLRSpecauthenticationauthorizationencryption

Soft Skills

technical leadershipteam managementcode reviewtroubleshootingcommunicationcollaborationproblem-solvingguidancementorshipadaptability