API Developer

CONTEXT

Our client, a major player in its sector, is replacing a critical subset of a third-party API that has become a bottleneck for scalability, maintainability, and control. The new API will be built around the ODS project database, which acts as both the source of metadata and the destination for submissions. This is a rare opportunity to shape the contract, security model, and data flow of an interface that sits at the heart of a complex data ecosystem. The work demands a developer who can move from high-level design to production-quality implementation without losing sight of validation, documentation, and operational reliability.

ACTIVITIES

• Design and implement a new API covering metadata and submission layers.
• Define and enforce authentication, authorization, and data-protection mechanisms.
• Implement rigorous data validation and error-handling rules.
• Integrate the API with existing Python loading code and database workflows.
• Write automated tests, API documentation, and clear technical specifications.
• Provide regular summaries of progress, risks, and next steps.

EXPECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

• A secure, well-documented API that fully replaces the legacy third-party subset.
• Production-quality code with automated tests and maintainable architecture.
• Seamless integration with the ODS project database and existing Python pipelines.
• Reduced dependency on external vendors and improved control over critical data flows.

ENVIRONMENT

• Python for backend development, loading scripts, and integration layers.
• RESTful API design, OpenAPI/Swagger documentation, and automated testing.
• ODS project database, metadata management, and submission workflows.
• Security patterns such as OAuth2, role-based access control, and data encryption.
• Agile delivery with iterative reviews and documentation-first practices.