Forward Deployed Engineer

Kong Inc.

. Partner directly with enterprise customers to design, build, and implement Kong-based solutions across cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments .

Posted 9/16/2026full-timeRemote • New Jersey • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $192,010 - $274,300 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in API Management, Kubernetes, and cloud-native infrastructure, with a strong focus on building automation frameworks and migration tooling. Proven ability to collaborate with diverse teams and deliver innovative solutions that drive customer success.

Highest-signal resume keywords

API Gateway ImplementationKubernetes AutomationCloud Infrastructure ExpertiseAutomation Framework DevelopmentCustomer-Facing Engineering

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software EngineeringAPI ManagementProgramming in PythonProgramming in GoProgramming in JavaProgramming in JavaScriptProgramming in LuaInfrastructure-as-CodeCI/CD Pipeline DevelopmentLinux Proficiency

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationCollaboration SkillsStrong PrioritizationExecution SkillsBuilder Mindset

Tools & Technologies

KongTerraformHelmAnsibleGitOpsAWSAzureGCP

Industry Keywords

Open SourceMiddlewareSaaSInfrastructure SoftwareCloud-Native Technologies

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AnsibleAWSAzureCloudDistributed SystemsGoogle Cloud PlatformJavaJavaScriptKubernetesLinuxLuaOpen SourcePythonTerraformGo

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Partner directly with enterprise customers to design, build, and implement Kong-based solutions across cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments
Lead hands-on implementation efforts for API gateways, AI gateways, service mesh, developer portals, and related connectivity technologies
Build automation frameworks, migration tooling, custom integrations, and reusable accelerators to simplify customer adoption and modernization efforts
Drive migration initiatives from legacy API management platforms to Kong
Work closely with customer developers, platform teams, architects, security teams, and executives to solve complex technical and operational challenges
Develop production-grade code, scripts, plugins, CI/CD integrations, Kubernetes automation, and infrastructure tooling as part of customer engagements
Collaborate with Kong Product and Engineering teams to influence roadmap priorities based on real-world customer feedback and implementation learnings
Create reusable best practices, technical assets, reference architectures, documentation, and design patterns to scale delivery excellence across the organization
Support strategic customer initiatives involving AI connectivity, governance, platform modernization, and cloud-native transformation

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years in customer-facing engineering, platform engineering, professional services, site reliability engineering, or software engineering roles
Strong hands-on software engineering and implementation experience
Experience with API gateways, API management, integrations, or distributed systems platforms
Strong Kubernetes and cloud-native infrastructure expertise
Experience building automation frameworks, deployment tooling, CI/CD pipelines, or migration tooling
Strong proficiency in Linux, networking, cloud infrastructure, and DevOps practices
Experience with major cloud providers including AWS, Azure, or GCP
Programming experience in languages such as Python, Go, Java, JavaScript, or Lua
Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code and automation tooling such as Terraform, Helm, Ansible, or GitOps frameworks
Prior experience working in API Management, Open Source, Middleware, SaaS, or Infrastructure software companies is highly preferred
Strong builder mindset with the ability to solve complex technical problems with minimal supervision
Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving enterprise environments
Passion for working directly with customers and delivering measurable business outcomes
Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and executive audiences
Highly organized with strong prioritization and execution skills
Passion for innovation, modern infrastructure, APIs, AI, and cloud-native technologies
Team-oriented with a strong sense of ownership and accountability

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Bonus
Healthcare benefits
401(k) plan
Short and long term disability benefits
Basic life and AD&D insurance
Exposure to cutting-edge cloud-native technologies, distributed systems, AI connectivity, automation frameworks, and large-scale enterprise architectures