Kong - Platform Modernization

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced senior platform engineer for hands-on Kong platform implementation and Terraform-based automation, working with various cross-functional teams to deliver a secure, scalable enterprise API platform. Job Responsibilities Design and implement the Kong Enterprise API gateway platform, including environments, topology, and reusable configuration patterns. Build and maintain Terraform for Kong and AWS resourcesmodules, templates, networking, secrets, and automated provisioning across environments.

Configure and validate Kong Enterprise (services, routes, plugins, upstreams, certificates) with AWS logging, monitoring, and identity integration. Work with platform, security, and application teams on API onboarding requirements and AWS-ready gateway designs. Execute migration and modernization workstreams from legacy API gateways onto Kong Enterprise.

Deliver CI/CD and self-service templates for gateway and Infrastructure-as-Code changes with auditable, repeatable deployments. Conduct code and design reviews; mentor junior engineers on Terraform, Kong, and AWS platform practices. Deliver secure, stable, maintainable platform and Infrastructure-as-Code changes through strong engineering practices, testing, and review before production.

Use AI-assisted development tools to speed Terraform, Kong config, docs, and tests, with human review and team security standards. Troubleshoot pre-prod and production Kong-on-AWS issues; support availability, capacity, and performance. Document architectures, Terraform modules, Kong standards, and runbooks.

Stay current on Kong Enterprise, Terraform, and AWS platform capabilities relevant to API platform modernization. Job Qualifications 8+ years of software engineering experience, with a meaningful portion in platform engineering or infrastructure/software platform roles. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

Hands-on experience implementing and operating Kong Enterprise (or equivalent enterprise API gateway) in production. Strong Terraform experience building reusable modules and environment templates for AWS infrastructure and platform workloads. Solid AWS skills for running gateway/platform services: VPC networking, load balancing, IAM, secrets management, and integration with logging and monitoring.

Experience with CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code workflows for platform teams (automated plan/apply, promotion across environments, controlled change). Proficiency in at least one modern programming or scripting language used for platform automation (e.g. Python, Go, Java or .Net).

Working knowledge of API management and API security: routing, policies/plugins, TLS, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), and integration with enterprise identity providers. Working knowledge of OpenAPI and standards-based API design for gateway onboarding and policy alignment. Demonstrated ability to deliver secure, stable, production-grade code and IaC with testing, peer review, and operational documentation.

Additional Preference: AI or AWS Certification. Confluent Kafka / Kafka experience.