Senior API Platform Engineer – Kong Gateway
Apply for the Senior API Platform Engineer – Kong Gateway role at lululemon .
Company Overview
lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we’re in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future, including an equitable, inclusive, and growth‑focused environment for our people.
About the Team
The APIM Platform team is part of the Cloud Data & Integration platform team, building and maintaining the underpinnings of lululemon’s technology environment. The team defines the management and operation of Kong, AWS Gateways, and offers governance and guidance for teams to navigate API integration within Kong. We empower API developers across domains to accelerate API development, discover and reuse code, and share best practices.
Day in the Life
As a Senior Engineer I, you will bring a high level of technical knowledge and strong mentoring abilities. You will be a leader in your technology space, contributing to all areas of development and operations (pre‑production to production). You will work closely with a Technology Manager, guiding a team of Engineers through day‑to‑day process and providing a central escalation point for production concerns. You will be part of an Agile production release team and may perform on‑call support functions as needed. As a Senior Engineer, you will be the primary caretaker of production platforms and maintain a deep understanding of how delivered products function.
Core Responsibilities
- Shape and influence the APIM product roadmap and solutions, including APIM standards, capabilities, integrations, platform self‑service features, monitoring, cost management strategies, resiliency, and platform security.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define API requirements, integrations, and standards.
- Implement and manage API security policies, including OAuth, JWT, rate limiting, IP filtering, and other industry‑standard protocols.
- Custom Plugin Development: Design and implement custom KONG plugins using Lua to meet specific business needs.
- Monitoring, Logging & Tracing: Implement custom logging, monitoring, and distributed tracing capabilities through plugins to capture meaningful metrics, errors, and system health information.
- Provide documentation, training, and support to internal teams and stakeholders on KONG and API management practices.
- Develop and implement CI/CD via GitLab.
- Clearly explain business value and considerations to the business groups about APIM platform services.
- Identify and anticipate new tools and features that can be leveraged to meet the company’s strategic needs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Software Architecture; substantial and relevant industry experience is also eligible.
- 3–5 years of experience in APIM management tools with a specialization in KONG.
- Deep expertise in managing and optimizing API gateways, specifically KONG, and implementing, configuring, and maintaining API management solutions.
- Performance, reliability, and scalability of KONG API Gateway, driving integration with other systems and troubleshooting issues.
- Experience with Kubernetes, Redis cache, and AWS infrastructure components needed to support Kong in AWS.
- Experience with Observability tools (OTEL framework) and deep skills in Datadog and Splunk for metrics and logs.
- LUA experience, ideally writing KONG plugins in LUA.
- Expert level in DevSecOps tools and processes, including Git, JFrog Artifactory, Jenkins, and HashiCorp products.
- Desire to mentor younger team members and develop their skills.
- Ability to work effectively in an agile development environment and communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
Must Haves
- Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
- Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
- Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
- Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
- Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
- Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working; don’t take yourself too seriously.
Additional Notes
Authorization to work in the United States is required for this role.
Compensation and Benefits Package
lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay‑for‑performance philosophy. The typical hiring range for this position is $136,200–$178,700 annually; base pay is based on market location and may vary with experience and internal equity. Permanent employees may be eligible for a competitive annual bonus program.
- Extended health and dental benefits, including mental health plans
- Paid time off
- Savings and retirement plan matching
- Generous employee discount
- Fitness & yoga classes
- Parenthood top‑up
- Extensive catalog of development course offerings
- People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series
Workplace Arrangement
Hybrid: In‑person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.
Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Engineering and Information Technology – Retail
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