lululemon Senior API Platform Engineer - Kong Gateway

lululemon; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 123,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading performance apparel company in Vancouver is seeking a Senior Engineer I to manage their APIM platform with a focus on KONG API Gateway. The role involves optimizing, configuring, and maintaining API services, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and implementing security policies. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience. The position offers a hybrid work model, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and team development.

Benefits

Paid time off

Fitness & yoga classes

Generous employee discount

Mentorship programs

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in APIM management tools with specialization in KONG.
• Experience with Kubernetes and AWS infrastructure components.
• Expertise in observability tools like Datadog and Splunk.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain KONG API Gateway for performance and scalability.
• Collaborate with teams to define API requirements and integrations.
• Implement API security policies and custom plugin development.

Skills

KONG management

API gateway optimization

Kubernetes

Datadog

Lua scripting

DevSecOps tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

Kong

AWS

Redis

GitLab

Job description

Description & Requirements

who we are
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. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

about this team

The APIM Platform team is part of the Cloud Data & Integration platform team, a world-class delivery group that builds and maintains the underpinnings of lululemon's technology environment. The APIM platform team defines the management and operation of Kong, AWS Gateways, offering governance and guidance for teams to navigate API integration within Kong. We empower API developers across various domains to accelerate API development, discover and reuse code, and share best practices.

a day in the life

As a Senior Engineer I, you will bring a high level of technical knowledge as well as strong mentoring abilities. You will be counted on as a leader in your technology space as you contribute to all areas of development and operations (pre-production to production). You will work closely with a Technology Manager, using your experience and knowledge to guide a team of Engineers through their day-to-day process and provide 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 would be the primary caretaker of production platforms and maintain a deep understanding of how delivered products function.

core responsibilities

The Sr. Engineer I, APIM Platform, will manage the APIM platform with a specialization in KONG, focusing on optimizing, configuring, and maintaining KONG API Gateway for performance, reliability, and scalability. In addition, the engineer will manage Kubernetes, Redis, AWS infrastructure, Lua scripting for custom KONG plugins, and observability tools like Datadog and Splunk, and build flexible, scalable, resilient, and secure platform products. As a true teammate at lululemon, you will partner closely with Product managers, Program Managers, and Scrum Masters to develop relationships, manage project scope, and ensure technical deliverables are met.

• 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 security protocols.
• Custom Plugin Development: Design and implement custom KONG plugins using Lua to meet specific business needs, such as advanced authentication, logging, rate limiting, and custom transformations.
• Monitoring, Logging & Tracing: Implement custom logging, monitoring, and distributed tracing capabilities through plugins to capture meaningful metrics, errors, and system health information. Use tracing tools (e.g., OpenTelemetry, Jaeger) to provide end-to-end visibility of API calls and identify performance bottlenecks.
• 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, including the required changes for organizations to be successful in their API development initiatives
• Identify and anticipate new tools and features that can be leveraged to meet the company's strategic needs successfully.

qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or diploma (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Software Engineering or Software Architecture preferred; candidates with substantial and relevant industry experience are 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 play a key role in implementing, configuring, and maintaining API management solutions for our organization.
• Performance, reliability, and scalability of KONG API Gateway, while also driving integration with other systems and troubleshooting any issues that arise.
• Experience with Kubernetes, Redis cache and any other AWS infra components needed to support Kong in AWS.
• Experience with Observability tool (OTEL framework) with deep skills in Datadog and Splunk for metrics and logs, respectively.
• LUA Experience and ideally experience in writing with Kong plugins in LUA.
• Expert level in DevSecOps tools and processes to include, but not limited to 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, aka doesn't take yourself too seriously.

additional notes

Authorization to work in the Canada is required for this role.

compensation and benefits package

Lululemon's compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and teamperformance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $123,500-$162,100 annually; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements.
At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:

• Extended health and dental benefits, and 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 (to name a few)

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

workplace arrangement

Hybrid

In‑person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.