- Kong is The AI Connectivity Company. Our platform sits at the centre of how enterprises manage APIs, AI agents, and the infrastructure connecting them and we’re scaling fast. The ADR role is the front line of that growth. The accounts you open today are the expansion stories of tomorrow
- As a Solutions Engineering - Specialist at Kong Inc., you will be a pivotal technical leader, leveraging your deep expertise in combining DevOps with AiOPS and FinOps, management, sales skills and system integration to guide customers and partners through complex architectural challenges
- You will act as a trusted advisor, demonstrating the value of Kong’s platform through tailored solutions and technical excellence
- Lead technical discussions and presentations with enterprise clients, understanding their architectural requirements and business needs
- Experience in AI and closely following AI trends and applications, preference is for those who already embarked or started on their AI journey with orchestration tools, Agentic AI and agents building
- Solid understanding of Kafka
- Solid understanding of APIs and software development
- Develop and implement proof-of-concept projects and custom demonstrations that showcase Kong’s capabilities in System Integration, Continuous Integrations, and Continuous Delivery environments
- Provide expert guidance on SRE Observability strategies, helping customers monitor and optimize their API infrastructure
- Utilize your proficiency in Linux, Docker, and Git to troubleshoot complex technical issues and provide advanced support
- Drive the adoption of Automation Technology within customer environments, enabling efficient API lifecycle management
- Collaborate with sales, product, and engineering teams to provide market feedback and contribute to product development
- Mentor junior solutions engineers and contribute to the team’s technical knowledge base
- Manage multiple projects concurrently, demonstrating strong Project Management skills and delivering results within deadlines
- Effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences through exceptional Technical Communication
Benefits
- Flexible time off: Take time to take care of yourself and the things that matter most
- Stock options: We want you to share in our success. That’s why stock options are offered to most Kongers
- U-First Fridays: Get 4 hours a month for continuous learning with a book, podcast, or course of your choice
- Virtual events: Stay connected with Donut chats, trivia, fitness challenges, guided meditations, and more
- Home office stipend: Build a home office environment tailored to support your productivity
- Dedicated unplug days: Silence those notifications. Enjoy some well-deserved long weekend where the entire team unplugs
If you don’t think you meet all of the criteria below but are still interested in the job, please apply. Nobody checks every box - we’re looking for candidates that are particularly strong in a few areas, and have some interest and capabilities in othersExperience with Automation Technology and scripting for infrastructure and application deploymentDemonstrated ability to manage complex projects and prioritize tasks effectivelyExtensive experience with Git for version control and collaborative software developmentSolid AIOps experience and/or Solid Kafka experience5+ years of experience in a solutions engineering, technical architect, or similar customer-facing technical roleDemonstrated expertise in API Design and API Management principles and best practicesProven experience with SRE Observability tools and methodologiesExceptional Technical Communication, presentation, and interpersonal skillsBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experienceStrong understanding of Authentication mechanisms (OAuth, OIDC, JWT, etc.) and Cybersecurity best practicesProficiency with Linux operating systems and containerization technologies like DockerDeep knowledge of Continuous Integrations and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines and toolsStrong understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and its various phases