Job Requirements
Job Description
API Connect Implementation Support Specialist
Location:
Required Clearance: Top Secret/SCI
Since 1999, ITEC has delivered mission-critical support to the DoD and Intelligence Community. Now part of ManpowerGroup Public Sector (MGPS), we continue that work with expanded capabilities. Employees hired through this process will join MGPS and receive a comprehensive benefits package and competitive pay.
U.S. Citizenship Mandatory: Due to our US federal government contract, candidates for this position are required to be a US Citizen and will be subject to a background investigation.
Job Description:
Seeking a highly experienced API Connect Architect/Consultant to lead and support the replacement of Kong API Gateway with API Connect within a secure government environment. This resource will play a critical role across the entire program lifecycle, from strategy and planning through deployment and post-production optimization.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in API lifecycle management, enterprise integration, and secure API platform migrations, along with a proven ability to operate within classified environments.
Job Responsibilities:
- Assess the current Kong-based API ecosystem, including architecture, services, policies, and integrations.
- Define a migration strategy and roadmap to transition from Kong to API Connect.
- Lead technical discovery sessions with stakeholders, architects, and security teams.
- Develop target-state architecture aligned to API Connect capabilities (Gateway, Manager, Developer Portal, Analytics).
- Establish API governance framework, standards, and best practices.
- Identify gaps, risks, and mitigation strategies for migration.
- Design secure, scalable API architectures using API Connect.
- Define API lifecycle processes including design, build, publish, secure, monitor, and retire.
Architect integration with:
- Identity providers (e.g., LDAP, SSO, OAuth/OIDC)
- Backend systems and microservices
- CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps tooling
- Implement security policies aligned with federal and agency-specific requirements.
- Lead and execute migration of APIs from Kong to API Connect.
Rebuild or refactor:
- Policies
- Routing rules
- Security configurations
- Rate limiting and traffic management
- Ensure minimal disruption to business operations during transition.
- Develop and execute cutover and rollback strategies.
- Install, configure, and optimize IBM API Connect environments (on-premises, cloud, or hybrid).
- Support environment provisioning (Dev/Test/Prod).
- Define and implement automation and CI/CD pipelines for API deployment.
- Configure monitoring, logging, and analytics capabilities.
- Provide production support and stabilization post-implementation.
- Analyze API performance and recommend optimizations.
- Establish operational procedures and runbooks.
- Conduct knowledge transfer and training for internal teams.
- Continuously improve governance, security, and performance posture.
Required Skills:
- 5+ years of experience with API Management platforms, including strong expertise in API Connect
- 3+ years of experience with API gateway technologies (e.g., Kong, Apigee, MuleSoft, AWS API Gateway)
- Proven experience with API platform migrations (Kong → API Connect highly preferred)
- Deep understanding of RESTful API design (OpenAPI/Swagger), API security (OAuth2, JWT, mTLS, API keys)
- Microservices architecture
- Experience working in federal or highly regulated environment.
Desired Skills:
- API Connect certifications
- Experience with Kubernetes / OpenShift deploymentsb, CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, etc.), Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible).
- Familiarity with Zero Trust architectures
- Knowledge of FISMA, NIST 800-53, or similar frameworks
