> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/73655-forward-deployed-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/73655-forward-deployed-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Forward Deployed Engineer - **Company:** Kong Inc. - **Location:** Trenton, NJ, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $133,056.0 - $190,080.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), JavaScript (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Build Automation, Microsoft Azure, Software as a Service, Cloud Computing, Cloud Engineering, Computer Programming, Continuous Integration, Software Design Patterns, Linux, DevOps, Distributed Systems, Middleware, Python (Programming Language), Lua (Scripting Language), Open Source Technology, Reliability Engineering, Ansible, Software Engineering, Product Software Implementation Methods, Systems Integration, Cloud Platform System, Istio, Containerization, Kubernetes, Production Code, Enterprise Integration, Api Gateway, Terraform, Api Management, Golang - **Published:** May 16, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=51843516ba85409d ## About the Role Do you have experience in Software implementation?, * 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. ## Description As an FDE, you will work directly alongside customer engineering teams to solve complex technical challenges, accelerate migrations, build reusable automation, and deliver production-grade solutions in real-world enterprise environments. You will operate at the intersection of software engineering, architecture, platform engineering, and customer delivery. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy building, coding, solving ambiguous problems, and working directly with customers on mission-critical initiatives involving APIs, AI gateways, service connectivity, modernization, and cloud-native platforms. You will collaborate closely with Solutions Architects, Engagement Managers, Product Engineering, Customer Success, and Product teams to ensure successful customer outcomes while also influencing Kong's product direction based on field experience. Working at Kong is a unique opportunity to make a massive impact on Fortune 50/500 customers as they modernize mission-critical systems for the AI era., * 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. ## Related Videos - [Let developers develop again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/463-let-developers-develop-again) - [Rate-limiting using eBPF and Istio: How to protect your SaaS customers from themselves](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100220-rate-limiting-using-ebpf-and-istio-how-to-protect-your-saas-customers-from-themselves) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [Go with the Flow: Stop the Leaks Before Your Memory's a Waterfall!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100073-go-with-the-flow-stop-the-leaks-before-your-memory-s-a-waterfall) - [Retooling and refactoring - an investment in people.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/371-retooling-and-refactoring-an-investment-in-people) - [Navigating the Corporate Jungle: Life as a Developer in a large Company](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/621-navigating-the-corporate-jungle-life-as-a-developer-in-a-large-company) ## Related Articles - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)