# Staff Solutions Engineer

**Company:** [Kong](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/kong)
**Location:** Massachusetts
**Role:** Solutions Architecture
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Docker, Kubernetes, REST APIs, GraphQL, CI/CD, Oauth2, OIDC, Mtls, Github Copilot, Openai Codex, Llm Architectures, Model Context Protocol, Semantic Caching, Prompt Governance, Cloud Computing
**Posted:** 2026-07-02

> Staff Solutions Engineer who advises enterprise customers on secure, scalable API and AI connectivity architectures, leads technical evaluations and complex deals, and mentors junior engineers. Requires 7+ years of software or solutions engineering experience and expertise in cloud-native platforms, APIs, security, and AI/LLM architectures.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Support field sales by helping customers understand the Kong API and AI connectivity platform.
- Conduct discovery conversations, map customer requirements to Kong solutions, and support evaluations through production.
- Own technical validation, stakeholder alignment, and proof-of-concept processes.
- Ensure customer satisfaction across assigned accounts.
- Collaborate with support, product, and engineering teams to advocate for customer needs.
- Create technical documentation for DevOps, implementation, and services engagements.
- Lead API management and AI governance evaluations, including API and AI use cases, LLM traffic management, and governance requirements.
- Demonstrate API, AI governance, and agentic connectivity capabilities, including MCP governance, semantic caching, prompt guardrails, and shadow AI detection.
- Run API and AI-focused Technical Feasibility Workshops for modern and agentic architectures.
- Own technical strategy for complex, multi-stakeholder enterprise deals from qualification through close.
- Mentor and coach junior solutions engineers.
- Author technical blogs, host webinars, and speak at industry events and conferences.
- Synthesize customer feedback and market signals into actionable product input.

## Requirements
- 7+ years of software engineering and/or solutions engineering experience at a SaaS, open source, or enterprise software company.
- Experience owning complex, enterprise-level deals involving technical and executive stakeholders.
- Experience mentoring or coaching solutions engineers or technical team members.
- Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud-native platforms.
- Experience with REST and GraphQL APIs, CI/CD pipelines, and API security patterns including OAuth2, OIDC, and mTLS.
- Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or OpenAI Codex.
- Working knowledge of AI and LLM architectures, including model routing, rate limiting, semantic caching, and prompt governance.
- Familiarity with Model Context Protocol and agentic AI patterns.
- Understanding of cloud computing trends and open source business models.
- Strong communication skills with engineers, architects, and executives.

## Nice to Have
- Experience presenting at industry conferences, webinars, or other thought-leadership events.
- Experience with API and AI governance platforms or enterprise connectivity architectures.

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