Microservice Security Architect/Engineer for AI Solutions in Startups

The discussion reveals a strong demand for individuals who can design and implement robust authentication and authorization within microservice architectures, particularly for AI-driven solutions in small teams. The junior developer's struggle highlights a common gap in startups needing advanced security architecture expertise. Professionals familiar with industry standards like API gateways, JWT, mTLS, and cloud-specific solutions (Azure auth/API Gateway) are highly sought after to build scalable and secure systems. This could be a direct employment opportunity or a consulting role for early-stage companies.

Resume Direction: Emphasize experience with microservice security, API gateway implementation (e.g., Azure API Management), token-based authentication (JWT), mutual TLS (mTLS), cloud security (Azure), and designing scalable, secure architectures for distributed systems. Mention any experience with AI projects or data-intensive applications.

Expected Earnings: Mid-to-senior level roles in this specialized area can command significant salaries, especially with cloud and AI exposure. For a small company, this might be a critical hire, potentially offering competitive compensation ($100k - $180k+ depending on location, experience, and company stage). Consulting rates would also be high.