Senior Staff Solutions Engineer at Kong (Australia)
Kong· Australia·
Role details
Kong at a glance
Kong runs the unified API and AI platform that connects, secures, governs, and monetizes APIs, events, and AI traffic.
Kong provides a unified API and AI platform. Its open-source Kong Gateway handles API traffic at the edge, while Kong Konnect adds a managed control plane to design, secure, observe, and monetize APIs, events, and AI requests across any cloud. The AI Gateway extends the same governance model to LLMs, MCP servers, and agents.
$345M raised · latest: Series E · $175M · 2024 (at $2B valuation) · backed by Tiger Global, Balderton, Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures
Summary
The Senior Staff Solutions Engineer leads the design and implementation of complex API architectures and secure authentication strategies. This role involves driving automation technologies, mentoring junior engineers, and managing client projects to ensure technical excellence and successful delivery.
Job description
Are you ready to unlock intelligence? 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 others.
About the Role: We are seeking a highly experienced and technically proficient Senior Staff Solutions Engineer to join our team at Kong (Australia) Pty Ltd. In this role, you will be a key technical leader, responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing robust API management solutions for our clients, driving technical excellence and successful project delivery.
What You'll Do:
- Lead the design and implementation of complex API architectures, utilising advanced API Design and API Management principles.
- Develop and implement secure authentication and authorisation strategies for various API services, ensuring robust Cybersecurity.
- Drive the adoption of automation technologies, including Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery pipelines, to streamline development and deployment processes.
- Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and best practices.
- Manage and oversee technical aspects of client projects, including scoping, planning, and execution, demonstrating strong Project Management skills.
- Collaborate with clients and internal teams to understand requirements, translate them into technical solutions, and provide effective Technical Communication.
- Leverage expertise in Docker (Software), Git, and Linux environments for solution development, deployment, and troubleshooting.
- Act as a subject matter expert in the Software Development Life Cycle, ensuring high-quality and scalable solutions.
- Perform complex System Integration tasks, ensuring seamless interoperability between various systems and platforms.
- Proactively identify and resolve technical challenges, demonstrating strong problem-solving abilities.
What You'll Bring:
- 10+ years of experience in a solutions engineering, software architecture, or senior development role.
- Demonstrable expertise in API Design and API Management platforms (experience with Kong is highly regarded).
- In-depth knowledge of Authentication and Authorization protocols and best practices.
- Proven experience with Automation Technology, Continuous Integrations, and Continuous Delivery pipelines.
- Strong understanding of Cybersecurity principles and secure coding practices.
- Proficiency in Docker (Software), Git, and Linux operating systems.
- Extensive experience with the Software Development Life Cycle.
- Excellent Project Management skills with a track record of successful project delivery.
- Strong System Integration experience with diverse technologies.
- Exceptional Technical Communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (Master's preferred).
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About Kong: Kong Inc., the AI Connectivity Company, is building the connectivity layer of AI. Trusted by the Fortune 500® and AI-native startups alike, Kong’s unified API and AI platform enables organizations to secure, manage, accelerate, govern, and monetize the flow of intelligence across APIs and AI traffic — on any model, any cloud. For more information, visit www.konghq.com.
Why work at Kong
- Remote‑first culture – 600+ employees across 25+ countries; strong emphasis on global collaboration.
- Perks & benefits (from careers page):
- Stock options for most employees
- 4‑week paid sabbatical every 5 years
- Flexible time off
- Home office stipend
- Regular “unplug days” (company‑wide long weekends)
- Virtual events (Donut chats, trivia, fitness challenges)
- Engineering culture – values “owners, explorers, real, unstoppable” and encourages individual innovation. Focus on shipping fast and high trust.
- Growth trajectory – company is scaling (+23.5% headcount YoY) and is a unicorn with clear product‑market fit in a hot market (AI + API management).
- Open roles – 93 open positions across engineering, sales, solutions, customer success, and marketing.