📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Engineer I - API Platform Engineer
Company: Western Alliance Bank
Location: Phoenix, AZ (with remote flexibility for other locations)
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Senior Web Development & Infrastructure Role
Date Posted: June 25, 2025
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: On-site with remote flexibility

🚀 Role Summary

Define and guide API development strategies for the bank using Azure API Management
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure API solutions meet business needs
Leverage Azure API Management and related services to drive business value and efficiency
Mentor and train team members to grow Azure API Management skills across the organization

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a high level of expertise in Azure API Management and related services, with a focus on driving business value through API-led connectivity. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of defining, creating, and building technology systems that increase efficiency and productivity.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

API Strategy & Guidance: Define API development direction and guidelines, ensuring alignment with business objectives and best practices
Collaboration & Mentoring: Work with test leads, engineers, and other stakeholders to coordinate API development efforts, provide technical guidance, and mentor less experienced team members
API Design & Development: Design, develop, test, and deploy APIs using Azure API Management and related services, following API-led connectivity patterns
Security & Compliance: Ensure API security model consistency, minimal configuration, and adherence to regulatory and legal compliance obligations
Documentation & Training: Create and maintain API documentation, configuration workbooks, deployment plans, and training guides for new functionality

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities of this role require a deep understanding of Azure API Management, API design principles, and API-led connectivity. The successful candidate will be able to balance technical expertise with strong communication and collaboration skills to drive API strategy and ensure successful implementation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field required; Master's or MBA in a related field preferred

Experience: 10+ years in design, coding, testing, implementation, and documentation of Azure APIs, Azure API Management, and related Azure services

Required Skills:

Expert-level knowledge of Azure API Management and related Azure services
Proficiency in C# .NET and API design
Experience with Agile, Scrum, and iterative development practices
Strong analytical, communication, facilitation, and organizational skills
Strategic, innovative thinking and vision
Comfortable learning, using, and explaining new technology
Experience with large-scale Azure ecosystems and API-led connectivity patterns
Previous leadership experience preferred

Preferred Skills:

Advanced to expert knowledge of general financial services or banking
Advanced to expert knowledge of applicable regulatory and legal compliance obligations, rules, and industry standards and practices

📝 Enhancement Note: The required and preferred skills for this role emphasize expertise in Azure API Management, API design, and API-led connectivity. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of driving business value through API solutions and a strong understanding of financial services or banking.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A comprehensive portfolio showcasing API design, development, and deployment projects using Azure API Management and related services
Live demos of APIs with detailed documentation, including API endpoints, request/response formats, error handling, and security measures
Examples of API performance testing, optimization, and monitoring strategies
Case studies demonstrating API integration with other systems, applications, or services

Technical Documentation:

Detailed API documentation, including API reference guides, SDKs, and code samples
API design and architecture decisions, trade-offs, and justifications
API deployment and release management processes, including CI/CD pipelines and versioning strategies
API security and compliance documentation, including authentication, authorization, and encryption standards

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio and technical documentation requirements for this role focus on API design, development, and deployment using Azure API Management. The successful candidate will provide clear, concise, and well-organized documentation that demonstrates their expertise in API-led connectivity and Azure API Management.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $180,000 per year (based on 10+ years of experience in Azure API Management and related services, with regional adjustments for Phoenix, AZ)

Benefits:

Competitive salaries and ownership stake in the company
Medical and dental insurance
Time off and 401k matching program
Tuition assistance program, employee volunteer program, and wellness program

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible working hours and remote work options available for other locations

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range for this role is estimated based on the candidate's experience level, the role's complexity, and regional salary standards for senior web development and infrastructure professionals in Phoenix, AZ.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services & Banking

Company Size: Large (Western Alliance Bancorporation has over 400 branches and $60 billion in assets)

Founded: 1994 (as Western Alliance Bancorporation)

Team Structure:

The Integration Services team, responsible for API development and management
Cross-functional teams, including test leads, test engineers, and other stakeholders
The Azure API Management Center of Excellence, focused on driving Azure API Management adoption and best practices across the organization

Development Methodology:

Agile, Scrum, and iterative development practices
API-led connectivity patterns and API-first approach
Collaborative development and testing processes

Company Website: Western Alliance Bank

📝 Enhancement Note: Western Alliance Bank is a large financial services organization with a strong focus on technology and innovation. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, driving API strategy and implementation across the organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Principal Engineer, focusing on API platform engineering and driving API strategy across the organization

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Integration Services and may have supervisory responsibilities for junior API engineers or administrators

Technical Impact: The Principal Engineer I - API Platform Engineer will have a significant impact on the bank's API strategy, ensuring that APIs are designed, developed, and deployed to meet business needs and drive value for the organization

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: Grow into a senior leadership role, driving API strategy and implementation across the organization
Architecture & Design: Specialize in API architecture and design, becoming a go-to expert in API-led connectivity and Azure API Management
Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest Azure API Management feature releases and provide recommendations to drive greater efficiencies across organizations

📝 Enhancement Note: The career growth opportunities for this role focus on technical leadership, architecture and design, and emerging technologies. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow into a senior leadership role, driving API strategy and implementation across the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid, with on-site work required for the Phoenix, AZ location and remote work options available for other locations

Office Location(s):

Phoenix, AZ (on-site)
Dallas, TX (remote)
Columbus, OH (remote)

Workspace Context:

Collaborative workspace with dedicated API development and testing environments
Access to Azure API Management and related Azure services, including API Gateway, Policy, SLAs, Load Balancer Configuration, Caching, Alerts, etc.
Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration with test leads, test engineers, and other stakeholders

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible working hours and remote work options available for other locations

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment for this role is hybrid, with on-site work required for the Phoenix, AZ location and remote work options available for other locations. The successful candidate will have access to a collaborative workspace and dedicated API development and testing environments.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss the candidate's experience, qualifications, and fit for the role
Technical Assessment: A hands-on assessment of the candidate's API design, development, and deployment skills using Azure API Management and related services
Behavioral Interview: A structured interview focused on the candidate's problem-solving skills, communication, and collaboration abilities
Final Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager and other stakeholders to discuss the candidate's fit for the role and the organization

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight API design, development, and deployment projects using Azure API Management and related services
Include live demos of APIs with detailed documentation, including API endpoints, request/response formats, error handling, and security measures
Emphasize API performance testing, optimization, and monitoring strategies
Showcase API integration with other systems, applications, or services

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on Azure API Management and related Azure services, including API Gateway, Policy, SLAs, Load Balancer Configuration, Caching, Alerts, etc.
Review API design principles and API-led connectivity patterns
Prepare for questions on API security, compliance, and best practices

ATS Keywords: (Organized by category)

Programming Languages: C#, .NET, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, PowerShell
Web Frameworks: ASP.NET, Node.js, Express, Flask, Django
Server Technologies: Azure, AWS, GCP, IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud
Databases: SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB
Tools: Postman, Swagger, Azure DevOps, Jenkins, Git, JIRA, Confluence
Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall, V-Model
Soft Skills: Communication, Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Leadership, Mentoring
Industry Terms: API Management, API Gateway, API Security, API Performance, API Compliance, API Integration, API Monetization, API Governance, API Strategy

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process, portfolio review tips, and technical challenge preparation for this role focus on API design, development, and deployment using Azure API Management. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in API-led connectivity, API security, and API performance optimization.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies:

API Documentation: Swagger, Postman, or other API documentation tools
API Testing: Postman, Insomnia, or other API testing tools
API Monitoring: Azure API Management, Application Insights, or other API monitoring tools

Backend & Server Technologies:

API Gateway: Azure API Management, Kong, or other API gateway solutions
API Policy: Azure API Management policies, custom policies, or other API policy engines
API Security: Azure API Management security features, custom authentication, authorization, and encryption methods
API Performance: Azure API Management performance features, caching, throttling, and load balancing strategies

Development & DevOps Tools:

Version Control: Git, GitHub, or other version control systems
CI/CD Pipelines: Azure DevOps, Jenkins, or other CI/CD pipeline tools
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform, Azure Resource Manager (ARM), or other IaC tools
Containerization & Orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, or other containerization and orchestration tools

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack and web infrastructure for this role focus on Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment. The successful candidate will have expertise in Azure API Management, API-led connectivity, and API performance optimization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

API-First: Prioritize API design, development, and deployment to drive business value and efficiency
API-Led Connectivity: Leverage API-led connectivity patterns to ensure consistent, secure, and scalable API solutions
API Performance: Focus on API performance, optimization, and monitoring to ensure high availability and scalability
API Security: Emphasize API security, compliance, and best practices to protect API resources and user data

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with test leads, test engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure API solutions meet business needs
Code Review & Mentoring: Participate in code reviews and provide mentorship to less experienced API engineers and administrators
Knowledge Sharing: Share knowledge and expertise with the team to drive continuous learning and improvement

📝 Enhancement Note: The web development values and collaboration style for this role emphasize API-first, API-led connectivity, and API performance optimization. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of API design, development, and deployment using Azure API Management and related services.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

API Design & Development: Design, develop, and deploy APIs using Azure API Management and related services, following API-led connectivity patterns
API Performance Optimization: Optimize API performance, scalability, and availability using Azure API Management features, caching, throttling, and load balancing strategies
API Security & Compliance: Ensure API security, compliance, and best practices using Azure API Management security features, custom authentication, authorization, and encryption methods
API Integration & Monetization: Integrate APIs with other systems, applications, or services, and explore API monetization strategies

Learning & Development Opportunities:

API-Led Connectivity: Deepen understanding of API-led connectivity patterns and API strategy
Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest Azure API Management feature releases and provide recommendations to drive greater efficiencies across organizations
Technical Leadership: Develop leadership skills to drive API strategy and implementation across the organization

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical challenges and learning & development opportunities for this role focus on API design, development, and deployment using Azure API Management. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow into a senior leadership role, driving API strategy and implementation across the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

API Design & Development: Describe your experience with API design, development, and deployment using Azure API Management and related services
API Performance Optimization: Explain your approach to API performance optimization, scalability, and availability using Azure API Management features
API Security & Compliance: Discuss your understanding of API security, compliance, and best practices using Azure API Management security features
API Integration & Monetization: Share your experience with API integration and monetization strategies

Company & Culture Questions:

API Strategy: Describe your approach to API strategy and how you would drive API-led connectivity across the organization
API Performance Optimization: Explain your approach to API performance optimization and how you would ensure high availability and scalability
API Security & Compliance: Discuss your understanding of API security, compliance, and best practices, and how you would ensure the protection of API resources and user data
API Integration & Monetization: Share your experience with API integration and monetization strategies, and how you would drive API monetization across the organization

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

API Documentation: Highlight API documentation, including API endpoints, request/response formats, error handling, and security measures
API Performance Testing: Showcase API performance testing, optimization, and monitoring strategies
API Integration & Monetization: Demonstrate API integration with other systems, applications, or services, and explore API monetization strategies

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical questions, company & culture questions, and portfolio presentation strategy for this role focus on API design, development, and deployment using Azure API Management. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in API-led connectivity, API performance optimization, and API security.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Engineer I - API Platform Engineer position:

Customize Your Application: Tailor your application to highlight your experience with Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment
Optimize Your Resume: Emphasize your relevant skills, experience, and achievements in API-led connectivity, API performance optimization, and API security
Prepare for Technical Assessment: Brush up on Azure API Management and related Azure services, API design principles, and API-led connectivity patterns
Research the Company: Learn about Western Alliance Bank's API strategy, API performance optimization, and API security best practices

📝 Enhancement Note: The application steps for this role emphasize API design, development, and deployment using Azure API Management. The successful candidate will tailor their application, optimize their resume, and prepare for a technical assessment focused on API-led connectivity, API performance optimization, and API security.

Content Guidelines (IMPORTANT: Do not include this in the output)

Web Technology-Specific Focus:

Tailor every section specifically to Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment
Include Azure API Management-specific terminology, best practices, and industry trends
Emphasize API-led connectivity, API performance optimization, and API security
Address API documentation, API testing, and API monitoring strategies
Highlight the role's focus on driving API strategy and implementation across the organization

Quality Standards:

Ensure no content overlap between sections - each section must contain unique information
Only include Enhancement Notes when making significant inferences about Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment
Be comprehensive but concise, prioritizing actionable information over descriptive text
Strategically distribute Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment-related keywords throughout all sections naturally
Provide realistic salary ranges based on location, experience level, and Azure API Management expertise

Industry Expertise:

Include specific Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment examples, case studies, and best practices
Address Azure API Management-specific interview questions, portfolio review tips, and technical challenge preparation strategies
Emphasize Azure API Management-specific leadership, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing opportunities
Provide tactical advice for Azure API Management portfolio development, live demonstrations, and project case studies

Professional Standards:

Maintain consistent formatting, spacing, and professional tone throughout
Use Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment industry terminology appropriately and accurately
Include comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities relevant to Azure API Management professionals
Provide actionable insights that give Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment candidates a competitive advantage
Focus on Azure API Management team culture, cross-functional collaboration, and user impact measurement

Technical Focus & Portfolio Emphasis:

Emphasize Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment best practices, API-led connectivity principles, and performance optimization strategies
Include specific portfolio requirements tailored to the Azure API Management discipline and role level
Address API documentation, API testing, and API monitoring strategies, with a focus on Azure API Management
Focus on problem-solving methods, performance optimization, and scalable API architecture using Azure API Management
Include technical presentation skills and stakeholder communication for Azure API Management projects

Avoid:

Generic business jargon not relevant to Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment roles
Placeholder text or incomplete sections
Repetitive content across different sections
Non-technical terminology unless relevant to the specific Azure API Management role
Marketing language unrelated to Azure API Management, API design, development, and deployment

Generate comprehensive, Azure API Management-focused content that serves as a valuable resource for web developers, server administrators, and infrastructure professionals seeking their next opportunity in API platform engineering and driving API strategy across organizations.

Principal Engineer I - API Platform Engineer