Forward Deployed Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New Jersey.

📋 Description

• Collaborate directly with enterprise clients to design, develop, and deploy Kong-based solutions in cloud, hybrid, and on-premise settings.

• Take the lead on hands-on implementation of API gateways, AI gateways, service mesh, developer portals, and associated connectivity technologies.

• Create automation frameworks, migration tools, custom integrations, and reusable accelerators to facilitate customer adoption and modernization initiatives.

• Spearhead migration projects from legacy API management platforms to Kong.

• Work closely with customer developers, platform teams, architects, security personnel, and executives to address intricate technical and operational challenges.

• Produce production-grade code, scripts, plugins, CI/CD integrations, Kubernetes automation, and infrastructure tools as part of client engagements.

• Collaborate with Kong Product and Engineering teams to shape roadmap priorities informed by real-world customer insights and implementation experiences.

• Develop reusable best practices, technical assets, reference architectures, documentation, and design patterns to enhance delivery excellence across the organization.

• Support strategic customer projects related to AI connectivity, governance, platform modernization, and cloud-native transformation.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 8 years of experience in customer-facing engineering, platform engineering, professional services, site reliability engineering, or software engineering roles.

• Solid hands-on software engineering and implementation experience.

• Familiarity with API gateways, API management, integrations, or distributed systems platforms.

• Strong expertise in Kubernetes and cloud-native infrastructure.

• Experience in building automation frameworks, deployment tools, CI/CD pipelines, or migration tools.

• High proficiency in Linux, networking, cloud infrastructure, and DevOps methodologies.

• Experience with major cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.

• Programming skills in languages including Python, Go, Java, JavaScript, or Lua.

• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code and automation tools like Terraform, Helm, Ansible, or GitOps frameworks.

• Prior experience in API Management, Open Source, Middleware, SaaS, or Infrastructure software companies is highly desirable.

• Strong builder mindset with the capability to tackle complex technical issues with minimal guidance.

• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous enterprise environments.

• Enthusiasm for engaging directly with clients and achieving measurable business results.

• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities across technical and executive audiences.

• Highly organized with robust prioritization and execution capabilities.

• Passionate about innovation, modern infrastructure, APIs, AI, and cloud-native technologies.

• Team-oriented with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

🏝️ Benefits

• 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