I have extensive experience in designing and developing RESTful APIs, having worked on multiple projects where I was responsible for creating scalable and secure API endpoints. I utilize best practices such as versioning, proper HTTP methods, and error handling to ensure robustness. My experience includes integrating APIs with various databases and third-party services, ensuring seamless data flow and high performance.

Ensuring API security involves multiple layers of protection. I implement authentication and authorization mechanisms such as OAuth2 and JWT. Additionally, I focus on securing data transmission with SSL/TLS, validating input to prevent injection attacks, and rate limiting to mitigate brute force attacks. Regular code reviews and security audits are also part of my approach to maintain high security standards.

I am proficient in using technologies like Node.js with Express for backend development, and frameworks like Django and Flask for Python-based APIs. For API documentation, I use Swagger (OpenAPI) which helps in creating interactive and user-friendly documentation. I also utilize tools like Postman for testing and debugging APIs, ensuring they function correctly and efficiently.

API versioning is crucial for maintaining backward compatibility while allowing for new features. I typically use URI versioning or custom request headers to manage versions. When introducing new features, I ensure that existing endpoints continue to function correctly, and I communicate changes clearly to stakeholders. This approach helps in smoothly transitioning users to newer versions without disrupting their services.

In a previous project, I faced challenges integrating a third-party payment gateway API with our system. The main issue was the inconsistent response times and occasional failures. I resolved this by implementing a robust retry mechanism with exponential backoff and a fallback to a secondary payment gateway. Additionally, I enhanced logging and monitoring to quickly identify and address any integration issues, ensuring a seamless payment experience for users.