Senior Applications Engineer I

Kirkland & Ellis; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global law firm in Houston is seeking a Senior Application Engineer I specializing in HR Technologies. This role involves managing the full lifecycle of HR systems, from implementation to optimization. Candidates must have over 7 years of experience in configuring HR technology solutions and possess strong technical skills in programming and data analysis. The position offers a dynamic work environment and the opportunity to collaborate across various teams to enhance HR systems.

Qualifications

• 7+ years supporting and configuring HR technology solutions.
• Experience in HR and talent workflows, preferably in law or professional services.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Own implementation and lifecycle management of HR systems.
• Deliver Level 3 support, diagnosing complex issues in applications.
• Partner with stakeholders to design analytics that inform decision-making.

Skills

HR technology solutions implementation

Collaboration & Communication

Problem Solving & Ownership

Technical Skills

Integration Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Java

.NET

Python

SQL

SaaS platforms

Job description

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 23 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

Are you a hands‑on HR technology expert who thrives on leading complex system implementations and shaping scalable, secure solutions? As a Senior Application Engineer I – HR Technologies, you’ll play a critical role in owning the full lifecycle of the firm’s HR technology ecosystem. From implementation to optimization, you’ll lead the delivery of systems that power recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and Learning Management Systems (LMS), supporting teams across a global organization.

Working at the intersection of Human Resources (HR), Technology, Security, and external partners, you’ll ensure solutions are aligned with strategic priorities, built for scale, and designed with a seamless user experience in mind. This is a high‑impact role for someone who enjoys both technical depth and cross‑functional collaboration—especially within a professional services or law firm environment.

• Lead System Delivery: Own end‑to‑end implementation and lifecycle management of HR and talent systems, from requirements gathering through deployment and post‑go‑live support.
• Provide Advanced Support: Deliver Level 3 support for HR applications, diagnosing complex issues and implementing effective, sustainable solutions.
• Drive Technical Strategy: Serve as the primary technical and functional lead for Legal HR systems, advising on capabilities, best practices, and future roadmaps.
• Design User‑Centered Solutions: Translate business needs into intuitive, high‑quality system configurations that align with organizational goals.
• Ensure Governance & Compliance: Partner across HR, Technology, Security, and vendors to ensure systems meet all security, privacy, and governance standards.
• Build Integrations: Develop and maintain integrations across systems using APIs, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and secure data flow.
• Strengthen Vendor Partnerships: Collaborate with vendors and developers to enhance solutions while aligning with internal technology and risk standards.
• Enable Data‑Driven Decisions: Partner with stakeholders to design analytics and reporting that drive insight and informed decision‑making.
• Maintain Documentation: Create and uphold system documentation, standards, and support procedures to ensure consistency and scalability.

What You’ll Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field—or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience: 7+ years supporting and configuring HR technology solutions, including Learning Management Systems (LMS), recruiting, performance management, and talent platforms.
• Implementation Leadership: Proven success leading HR technology implementations or major enhancements across cross‑functional teams.
• HR Systems Expertise: Strong understanding of HR and talent workflows, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Technical Skills: Experience with programming or scripting languages such as Java, .NET, or Python, along with strong SQL and data analysis capabilities.
• Integration Knowledge: Hands‑on experience with Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, APIs, and Single Sign‑On (SSO) technologies (e.g., SAML, OAuth).
• Problem Solving & Ownership: Analytical mindset with the ability to proactively identify, troubleshoot, and elevate issues as needed.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and business teams.
• Organization & Agility: Self‑motivated and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting HR systems within a law firm or large professional services organization.
• Hands‑on experience with applicant tracking and talent acquisition platforms.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure, Active Directory, and identity management concepts.
• Experience building HR reporting, analytics, and dashboards.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.