Senior Software Engineer - Kubernetes - EMEA

As a Senior Software Engineer at Kong, your primary responsibilities include designing and developing the Kong Gateway Operator and Ingress Controller, contributing to open-source projects, optimizing high-performance distributed systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to innovate API connectivity, and mentoring junior engineers. You'll also be focused on writing efficient code in Golang, troubleshooting system issues, and designing solutions that enhance functionality and reliability.

To apply for the Senior Software Engineer position at Kong, candidates should have at least 5 years of software engineering experience, particularly in backend development. Proficiency in Golang or another modern programming language is required, along with a deep understanding of Kubernetes and cloud-native technology. Knowledge of APIs, microservices, and distributed systems design, as well as familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure, are essential qualifications for this role.

The Senior Software Engineer at Kong plays a crucial role in the team by designing and maintaining core products that facilitate secure and efficient API connectivity. They contribute significantly to both individual projects and the wider engineering efforts by mentoring junior team members, participating in technical discussions, and driving innovation within the engineering community. Your input can help shape technical roadmaps and ensure the high availability and performance of systems.

A Senior Software Engineer at Kong should be proficient in Golang, although strong experience in other modern programming languages is acceptable if you can ramp up in Golang. Additionally, a deep knowledge of Kubernetes and the cloud-native ecosystem is vital. Familiarity with APIs, microservices, distributed systems, and cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, and Azure will also help you excel in this role.

At Kong, the work culture for a remote Senior Software Engineer is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and mentorship in a distributed environment. You will be part of a supportive team that encourages knowledge sharing and development, allowing you to actively engage in projects while working independently. The company embraces a remote-first approach, enabling flexibility and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

When answering this question, share specific examples from your previous roles where you've implemented Kubernetes within cloud-native environments. Discuss how you've used Kubernetes to manage microservices and ensure efficient API connectivity. Explain the challenges you faced and how you overcame them to showcase your problem-solving skills.

In your response, elaborate on techniques like load balancing, caching, and using efficient algorithms. Discuss how you've implemented these strategies in past projects, emphasizing any tools or methodologies you utilized to monitor performance metrics and make improvements.

Focus on a specific situation where you faced a significant challenge. Detail the problem, the steps you took to analyze it, and the solution you implemented. Highlight your thought process and collaboration with team members to demonstrate your ability to work in a team-oriented environment.

Discuss the importance of automated testing, code reviews, and design patterns. Explain how you incorporate these practices into your workflow to enhance code quality and maintainability, providing examples of successful outcomes from your approach.

Share your history with open-source projects, detailing any contributions you've made, including code submissions, bug fixes, or participation in community discussions. Highlight what you’ve learned from these experiences and how they’ve shaped your understanding of collaborative development.

Describe your mentoring philosophy, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing, patience, and creating a supportive environment. Provide examples of how you’ve helped junior engineers grow in their roles, focusing on specific mentoring techniques you've used.

Mention specific tools you're familiar with, such as Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK Stack. Explain how you leverage these tools to monitor application performance, troubleshoot issues, and enhance observability in distributed systems.

In your response, stress the role of API security in protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance with regulations. Discuss strategies you've employed to secure APIs, like authentication mechanisms, encryption, and regular security audits.

Name considerations like scalability, fault tolerance, latency, and data consistency. Discuss how you balance these considerations during the design phase and provide examples from previous projects where you successfully managed these trade-offs.

Share an anecdote where you received constructive feedback. Discuss how you assessed the critique, the steps you took to improve, and how it positively impacted your work. Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning.