At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical discussions and guide clients through complex architectural challenges.
- Company: Join Kong, the AI Connectivity Company, at the forefront of API management.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible time off, stock options, and a home office stipend.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving automation technology and mentoring future engineers.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in solutions engineering with strong skills in Linux, Docker, and APIs.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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.
Responsibilities
- As a Solutions Engineering - Specialist at Kong Inc., you will be a pivotal technical leader, leveraging 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.
- Solid understanding of Kafka and APIs and software development.
- Develop and implement proof‑of‑concept projects and custom demonstrations that showcase Kong’s capabilities in System Integration, Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery environments.
- Provide expert guidance on SRE Observability strategies, helping customers monitor and optimize their API infrastructure.
- Utilize 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.
Qualifications
- Proficiency with Linux operating systems and containerization technologies like Docker.
- Strong understanding of Authentication mechanisms (OAuth, OIDC, JWT, etc.) and Cybersecurity best practices.
- Deep knowledge of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines and tools.
- Demonstrated expertise in API Design and API Management principles and best practices.
- Experience with Automation Technology and scripting for infrastructure and application deployment.
- Strong understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and its various phases.
- Solid AIOps experience and/or Solid Kafka experience.
- Extensive experience with Git for version control and collaborative software development.
- Exceptional Technical Communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and prioritize tasks effectively.
- 5+ years of experience in a solutions engineering, technical architect, or similar customer‑facing technical role.
- Proven experience with SRE Observability tools and methodologies.
EMEA Solutions Engineering Specialist in London employer: Kong
Kong is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in the tech industry. With flexible time off, stock options, and dedicated learning opportunities like U-First Fridays, employees are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally. Located in a vibrant environment, Kong offers a collaborative atmosphere where technical expertise is valued, and team members can thrive while contributing to cutting-edge solutions in API management and automation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land EMEA Solutions Engineering Specialist in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Kong or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Kong.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Kong.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Kong that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace EMEA Solutions Engineering Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Kong.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Kong and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kong
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Kong uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
