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. 1. Platform Engineering & Operations 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. 2. API Lifecycle & Governance 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. 3. Product Management & Strategy 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. 4. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with backend teams to design API interfaces and integration patterns. 5. Technical Skills Work with security, DevOps, and architecture teams to ensure compliance and best practices. Support developers in migrating services to Kong or adopting new API patterns (REST, GraphQL, 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, Google Cloud Platform, Azure). Familiarity with Lua, Go, or Python for plugin development or automation. Experience with CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI). Knowledge of API security (OAuth2, OpenID Connect, JWT, mTLS). Understanding of REST, GraphQL, gRPC, and microservices architecture.

Skills

Kong, API, API Gateway, Service Mesh, Engineering, Product Management, devops, cloud

Top Skills Details

Kong,API,API Gateway,Service Mesh,Engineering,Product Management

Additional Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience Level

Expert Level
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Saint Paul, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $90.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: 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 for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Mar 3, 2026.
>About TEKsystems:
We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

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

About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services

We're a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. We're a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. We're strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. We're building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.

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.