Kong Platform Engineer

Description

A Kong API engineer/product manager is responsible for building and operating API gateway infrastructure, defining API platform capabilities, and managing the roadmap for API products. The role sits at the intersection of engineering, architecture, and product strategy.

• Configure, deploy, and maintain Kong Gateway (OSS or Enterprise) in Kubernetes, VM, or hybrid environments.
• Implement and manage Kong plugins (rate limiting, auth, logging, transformations, custom Lua plugins).
• Build CI/CD pipelines for declarative configuration using Kong's decK, Kong Ingress Controller, or Konnect.
• Ensure high availability, scalability, and performance of the API gateway.
• Monitor gateway health using tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog, or Kong Vitals.
• Troubleshoot routing, plugin behavior, latency, and upstream service issues.

• Define API standards, versioning rules, naming conventions, and governance policies.
• Manage API onboarding, documentation, and developer experience using Kong Dev Portal or similar tools.
• Work with security teams to enforce authentication/authorization (OAuth2, JWT, mTLS).
• Establish SLAs, SLOs, and operational metrics for APIs.

• Own the roadmap for the API platform and related services.
• Gather requirements from engineering teams, business stakeholders, and external partners.
• Prioritize features such as new plugins, improved developer onboarding, or enhanced observability.
• Define KPIs for API adoption, performance, and reliability.
• Communicate platform capabilities and changes across the organization.

Partner with backend teams to design API interfaces and integration patterns.

• Work with security, Dev Ops, and architecture teams to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Support developers in migrating services to Kong or adopting new API patterns (REST, Graph
  
  QL, gRPC).
• Strong understanding of API gateways, reverse proxies, and service mesh concepts.
• Hands‑on experience with Kong Gateway, Konnect, decK, Kong Ingress Controller, or Kuma.
• Proficiency in Kubernetes, Docker, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Familiarity with Lua, Go, or Python for plugin development or automation.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (Git Hub Actions, Jenkins, Git Lab CI).
• Knowledge of API security (OAuth2, OpenID Connect, JWT, mTLS).
• Understanding of REST, Graph
  
  QL, gRPC, and microservices architecture.

• Important to be able to work with both business and technical teams.
• 4‑5 years of experience in API management with tools like Apigee, WS02, AWS API is a big plus.

Expert Level

Contract position based out of Saint Paul, MN.

• Pay range: $75.00 – $90.00/hr.
• Medical, dental & vision.
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available.
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D).
• Short and long‑term disability.
• Health Spending Account (HSA).
• Transportation benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave).

Fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on March 3, 2026.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.