KONG API Management; APIM Engineer

Chicago, United States | Posted on 01/21/2026

Sputnik Solutions, Inc. is a Schaumburg, Illinois–based IT and Non-IT consulting and staffing company dedicated to providing high-quality technology solutions, software development, and outsourcing services. With expertise across mobile and web development, IT staffing, and managed services, Sputnik helps businesses of all sizes enhance productivity, reduce costs, and achieve their digital goals. By combining onshore and offshore capabilities, the company delivers flexible, cost-effective, and scalable solutions tailored to client needs.

Led by a team of experienced professionals, Sputnik Solutions is known for its commitment to integrity, innovation, and client success. Beyond IT services, the company also offers registered agent services in Illinois, helping businesses stay compliant and operationally strong. Through personalized consultation and expert talent delivery, Sputnik Solutions continues to empower organizations to grow confidently in an ever-evolving technology landscape.

Local to Chicago is preferred (hybrid/on-site as required)

• Total
  
  Experience:
  
  8+ years in software engineering, integration, or platform engineering roles
• KONG / API Management
  
  Experience:
  
  1–2 years of hands‑on experience with KONG API Management

• Design, configure, and support APIs using the KONG API Management platform, including gateway routing, plugins, and policy configurations.
• Provide hands‑on implementation and operational support for RESTful APIs and JSON‑based integrations.
• Implement and manage API security using OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, and related authentication and authorization mechanisms.
• Support API lifecycle management, including onboarding, versioning, documentation, and deprecation.
• Participate in APIM migration initiatives, including assessment, planning, and execution of migrations from legacy or alternate API management platforms to KONG.
• Collaborate with application development, platform, and security teams to onboard APIs and ensure adherence to enterprise standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve API gateway, performance, security, and connectivity issues across development, test, and production environments.
• Monitor API traffic, usage, and performance metrics and proactively identify and remediate issues.
• Support CI/CD pipelines for API and gateway configuration deployments, where applicable.
• Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and technical discussions related to API and integration architecture.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation and provide knowledge transfer to support teams.
• Operate with minimal supervision while contributing to continuous improvement of the APIM platform.

• KONG API Management Platform (hands‑on configuration and support)
• RESTful API design and development
• JSON-based integrations
• OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect authentication frameworks.
• API security concepts (JWT, token validation, rate limiting)
• Version control systems (Git or equivalent)

• Experience with APIM migration projects.
• Docker and Kubernetes exposure.
• CI/CD tools for API deployment and configuration.
• Cloud platform experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Monitoring and logging tools used in API ecosystems.
• Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns and middleware.