1. What is a Security Engineer at Akamai?

At Akamai, the role of a Security Engineer—specifically within the Enterprise Security Solution Engineering Group—is a high-impact position that sits at the intersection of deep technical expertise and strategic business consulting. While the title implies a focus on engineering, this specific role (Senior II Solutions Engineer - API Security) is designed for a "Trusted Advisor." You are not just configuring firewalls in a back room; you are empowering global organizations to protect their most critical digital assets: their API ecosystems.

This position is critical because Akamai operates at the edge of the internet, handling a massive portion of the world's web traffic. As customers shift toward cloud-native architectures and microservices, API security has become the new frontier of cyber defense. Your job is to bridge the gap between Akamai’s cutting-edge security products (like API discovery, threat mitigation, and posture management) and the complex, real-world needs of enterprise clients.

You will work with diverse stakeholders, ranging from technical engineers to C-level executives, translating complex security concepts into tangible business value. You will own the technical sales lifecycle, drive solution design, and serve as the go-to Subject Matter Expert (SME) on API security. If you thrive on solving tough architectural challenges while guiding customers through their security journey, this role offers a unique platform to influence the industry standard for API protection.

2. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for this role requires a shift in mindset. You must demonstrate that you are technically elite in internet protocols and API security, but also commercially savvy enough to close deals and manage relationships. You need to prove you can "partner with the best" and lead conversations rather than just answering technical trivia.

Role-Related Knowledge This is the baseline. You must possess excellent knowledge of APIs (REST, GraphQL), API Gateways, Web Application Firewalls (WAF), and the underlying internet technologies (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, SSL/TLS). Akamai expects you to understand how the internet works at the packet level and how modern applications are containerized (Kubernetes) and deployed in the cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Problem-Solving & Solution Architecture Interviewers will evaluate your ability to gather requirements and design a security posture that fits a client's specific infrastructure. You will be tested on your ability to take a vague problem (e.g., "We have shadow APIs exposed") and architect a comprehensive solution using Akamai’s portfolio.

Presentation & Communication Skills Since this is a Solutions Engineering role, your ability to present is paramount. You will likely be asked to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences. You must show that you can command a room, manage objections, and articulate value clearly.

Cultural Fit & Tenacity Akamai values curiosity, innovation, and collaboration. They look for "tenacious" individuals who are people-centric. You should be ready to discuss how you navigate ambiguity, how you keep learning in a fast-moving field, and how you work within a distributed, global team.

3. Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Akamai is rigorous but structured, designed to assess both your technical depth and your aptitude for customer engagement. Based on candidate data, the process generally moves from screening to deep technical validation, culminating in a presentation-style interview. Akamai places a heavy emphasis on "fit"—both technical fit for the role and cultural fit for the collaborative nature of the team.

Expect the process to start with a recruiter screen to verify your background and interest. This is followed by a hiring manager interview, which focuses on your experience with pre-sales and API security. The core of the loop involves technical rounds where you speak with peers and potential teammates. These rounds are conversational but probing; expect detailed questions about how HTTP works, how you handle API threats, and how you script solutions.

A distinctive element of the Solutions Engineer interview is the Presentation or Demo Round. You will likely be given a scenario or asked to present a technical topic to a panel acting as a "customer." This is the make-or-break moment where you must demonstrate your ability to bridge technology and business. The final stages often involve behavioral interviews focusing on Akamai's core values.

This timeline illustrates a standard progression. The "Technical Screen" and "Panel / Presentation" are the most intensive phases. Use this visual to plan your energy; ensure you are fresh and prepared for the presentation round, as it requires significant preparation time beforehand.

4. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must demonstrate mastery in specific technical and functional areas. Based on the job description and interview patterns, the following areas are weighted heavily.

Internet Technologies & API Fundamentals

You cannot secure what you do not understand. Akamai is an internet infrastructure company, so foundational knowledge is non-negotiable.

Be ready to go over:

• HTTP/HTTPS Mechanics – Headers, methods, status codes, cookies, and the full request/response cycle.
• SSL/TLS – How the handshake works, certificate management, and encryption basics.
• DNS & TCP/IP – How traffic is routed and resolved globally.
• API Standards – Differences between REST, SOAP, and GraphQL, and the specific security challenges of each.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through exactly what happens when you type a URL into a browser and hit enter, specifically focusing on the handshake."
• "Explain the difference between authentication and authorization in the context of an API call."
• "How does a CDN actually improve performance and security for an API endpoint?"

API Security & Threat Landscape

This is your domain expertise. You need to show you understand the threats (OWASP API Top 10) and the defenses.

Be ready to go over:

• OWASP API Security Top 10 – Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA), Broken User Authentication, Excessive Data Exposure, etc.
• WAF Technologies – How they work, positive vs. negative security models.
• Bot Management – Distinguishing between good bots, bad bots, and human traffic.
• Discovery & Posture – How to find "Shadow APIs" and "Zombie APIs."

Example questions or scenarios:

• "A customer is suffering from a BOLA attack. How do you detect it, and how do you mitigate it using Akamai solutions?"
• "How would you explain the risk of 'Shadow APIs' to a CISO vs. a DevOps engineer?"
• "Describe a scenario where a WAF would fail to catch an attack, but API-specific security would succeed."

Cloud Native & Containerization

Modern APIs live in the cloud. You need to speak the language of the DevOps teams you will be advising.

Be ready to go over:

• Kubernetes (K8s) – Basic architecture, Ingress controllers, and sidecar proxies.
• Cloud Providers – General familiarity with AWS, Azure, or GCP networking.
• CI/CD Pipelines – Where security fits into the software development lifecycle (Shift Left).

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How do you secure an API that is deployed inside a Kubernetes cluster?"
• "What are the security implications of moving from a monolith to microservices?"

Pre-Sales & Solution Selling

You are a Solutions Engineer. Technical correctness is not enough; you must be persuasive.

Be ready to go over:

• Discovery – Asking the right questions to uncover customer pain points.
• Objection Handling – responding to technical or business pushback without being defensive.
• Value Proposition – Articulating why Akamai is better than a competitor or a DIY solution.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Roleplay: I am a customer who thinks my existing firewall is enough. Convince me I need specialized API security."
• "Tell me about a time a technical demo went wrong. How did you handle it?"

5. Key Responsibilities

As a Senior II Solutions Engineer, your day-to-day work is dynamic, splitting time between deep technical work and high-level strategy. Your primary responsibility is owning the technical sales lifecycle. This begins with discovery—meeting with prospective clients to understand their architecture and pain points. You aren't just taking orders; you are diagnosing complex security posture issues.

Once needs are identified, you move into solution design and demonstration. You will configure and deliver compelling product demonstrations that show exactly how Akamai can discover APIs, mitigate threats, and manage posture. This often involves hands-on work with scripting (Python/Bash) and configuring Akamai’s platform to prove value during Proof of Concept (POC) trials. You are the technical point of contact ensuring the customer succeeds during this trial phase.

Beyond individual deals, you act as an educator and evangelist. You will train internal sales teams on the latest API threats and trends, ensuring the whole organization stays sharp. Externally, you represent Akamai at industry conferences, webinars, and workshops. You are the bridge that connects product engineering with the market, gathering customer requirements to influence the future roadmap of Akamai’s security products.

6. Role Requirements & Qualifications

Candidates for this role are expected to be seasoned professionals who can operate autonomously. Akamai looks for a specific blend of tenure, hard skills, and soft skills.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Experience: Approximately 8 years of relevant experience in technical pre-sales, solution architecture, or cybersecurity.
• Core Technical Stack: Deep proficiency in TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, SSL/TLS.
• API Expertise: Excellent knowledge of RESTful APIs, GraphQL, API Gateways, and WAFs.
• Communication: Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to explain complex concepts to both engineers and executives.

Differentiating Skills (Highly Valued)

• Hands-on Scripting: Proficiency with Python, JavaScript, or Bash to automate tasks or integrate systems.
• Cloud Native Tech: Experience deploying and managing Kubernetes clusters and containerized applications.
• Cloud Infrastructure: Familiarity with architectures on AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

7. Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of what you might face. They are designed to test your technical depth, your problem-solving approach, and your ability to communicate effectively. Do not memorize answers; instead, use these to practice your delivery and structure.

Technical & Domain Knowledge

• "Can you explain the difference between a Layer 3, Layer 4, and Layer 7 attack? How would you mitigate each?"
• "Describe the SSL/TLS handshake process in detail. Where do performance bottlenecks usually occur?"
• "What is the difference between an API Gateway and an API Security solution? Why does a customer need both?"
• "How does DNS resolution work from the moment a user clicks a link? How does Akamai leverage DNS for security?"
• "Explain GraphQL to me as if I were a traditional REST developer. What are the security risks unique to GraphQL?"

Scenario & Architecture

• "A customer claims their API is slow. How would you troubleshoot this using standard tools (curl, dig, browser dev tools)?"
• "Design a secure architecture for a banking application moving from on-premise to AWS using Kubernetes. Where would you place the WAF?"
• "We have a customer who doesn't know how many APIs they have exposed. How would you use Akamai to help them with discovery?"

Behavioral & Pre-Sales

• "Describe a time you had to explain a complex technical issue to a C-level executive who didn't understand technology. How did you approach it?"
• "Tell me about a time you disagreed with a customer's proposed architecture. How did you guide them to a better solution without damaging the relationship?"
• "How do you stay current with the rapidly changing landscape of API security threats?"

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much coding is required for this role? This is not a software development role, but "hands-on experience" is required. You should be comfortable reading code, writing scripts (Python/Bash) for automation or API interaction, and understanding how developers build applications. You won't be building the product, but you must be able to integrate it.

Q: Is this a remote role? Akamai promotes FlexBase, their global flexible working program. For this position, 95% of employees have the choice to work from home, the office, or both. However, as a Solutions Engineer, you may be expected to travel to customer sites or conferences occasionally.

Q: How technical is the "Presentation" round? It is very technical. You are expected to treat it like a real customer meeting. You should be prepared to handle technical objections, configure a demo environment if asked, and dive deep into the architecture. It is not just a sales pitch; it is a technical proof of value.

Q: What is the compensation structure? The salary range listed ($126,700 - $263,300 USD) represents the On-Target Earnings (OTE). This typically includes a base salary plus commissions based on sales performance. The exact split depends on experience and location.

Q: What makes Akamai's culture different? Akamai prides itself on being "tenacious" and "collaborative." The culture is deeply rooted in engineering excellence (born from MIT). Employees often cite the intelligent colleagues and the willingness to help one another as key cultural pillars.

9. Other General Tips

Know the Product Portfolio Before your interview, familiarize yourself specifically with Akamai App & API Protector. You don't need to be an expert yet, but knowing the product names and their general value proposition will show you have done your homework.

The "Whiteboard" Mindset Even if the interview is virtual, be ready to "draw" your answers. Describe architectures spatially (e.g., "The user traffic hits the Edge server here, then the WAF inspects it here..."). This demonstrates the clarity of thought required for a Solutions Engineer.

Emphasize "Shift Left" When discussing API security, mention the importance of integrating security early in the development lifecycle (CI/CD). Showing that you understand the developer's perspective—not just the security operations perspective—is a major plus.

10. Summary & Next Steps

The Security Engineer (Solutions Engineer - API Security) role at Akamai is a premier opportunity for technical professionals who want to operate at the cutting edge of internet security. You will be instrumental in protecting the API ecosystems of the world's largest companies, leveraging Akamai's massive scale and data visibility. This role offers the perfect balance of technical challenge—dealing with K8s, Cloud, and complex protocols—and strategic influence.

To succeed, focus your preparation on the intersection of networking fundamentals and API security contexts. Brush up on your presentation skills and be ready to roleplay client interactions. Review the OWASP API Top 10 until you can explain every risk and mitigation strategy simply. Akamai is looking for a trusted advisor who is curious, collaborative, and ready to solve the toughest challenges on the internet.

The compensation data above reflects the On-Target Earnings (OTE) for US-based candidates. This wide range accounts for variations in location, seniority (Senior II level), and the commission-based nature of the role. When discussing salary, consider the total package, including the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and benefits, which are significant components of Akamai's offer.

Good luck with your preparation. With the right mix of technical depth and customer empathy, you are well-positioned to join the team that powers and protects life online.