Staff Forward Deployed Engineer

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

📋 Description

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

• Spearhead hands-on implementation initiatives for API gateways, AI gateways, service mesh, developer portals, and associated connectivity technologies.

• Construct automation frameworks, migration tools, custom integrations, and reusable accelerators.

• Facilitate transitions from legacy API management systems to Kong.

• Engage with customer developers, platform teams, architects, security teams, and executives to address intricate technical and operational issues.

• Generate production-quality code, scripts, plugins, CI/CD integrations, Kubernetes automation, and infrastructure tools.

• Work in tandem with Kong Product and Engineering teams to shape roadmap priorities.

• Develop reusable best practices, technical assets, reference architectures, documentation, and design patterns.

• Support strategic 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.

• Robust hands-on software engineering and implementation expertise.

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

• In-depth knowledge of Kubernetes and cloud-native infrastructure.

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

• Strong skills in Linux, networking, cloud infrastructure, and DevOps methodologies.

• Proficiency with AWS, Azure, or GCP.

• Programming expertise in Python, Go, Java, JavaScript, or Lua.

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

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

• A strong builder mindset with the capability to tackle complex technical challenges with minimal oversight.

• Comfortable navigating ambiguous, fast-paced enterprise environments.

• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities across both technical and executive stakeholders.

• Strong skills in prioritization and execution.

• A passion for innovation, modern infrastructure, APIs, AI, and cloud-native technologies.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equity

• Bonus

• Healthcare benefits

• 401(k) plan

• Short- and long-term disability benefits

• Basic life and AD&D insurance