Principal Software Development Engineer

At F5, we strive to bring a better digital world to life. Our teams empower organizations across the globe to create, secure, and run applications that enhance how we experience our evolving digital world. We are passionate about cybersecurity, from protecting consumers from fraud to enabling companies to focus on innovation. 
 

Everything we do centers around people. That means we obsess over how to make the lives of our customers, and their customers, better. And it means we prioritize a diverse F5 community where each individual can thrive.

Contribute to building the BIG-IP data plane—engineered for high performance and scalability—to deliver and secure application traffic across on-premises, colocation, cloud, and edge environments. We are seeking a Principal Engineer for our core data plane teams who can tackle immediate feature requirements while also driving a strategic vision to advance the data plane using Generative AI technologies.

Position Summary

Serves as a key designer responsible for the design, development, and implementation of complete software components. Designs, develops, and maintains high-quality code for highly complex product components. Manages assigned projects and the workflow of engineers, while mentoring junior staff members. Participates in cross-functional design initiatives, serving as an organizational spokesperson on advanced projects and programs. Contributes to the development and promotion of new theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies within a specialized domain, often through self-directed learning where formal training in emerging technologies may not exist. Conducts analysis to define design requirements for enhancements to existing tools, utilities, system structures, and environments. Defines all aspects of product design and ensures design specifications align with the overall technical architecture. Collaborates with customers and Product Management to deliver solutions and influence the product roadmap.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead requirements analysis and define designs for new tools, as well as enhancements to existing tools, utilities, environments, and systems.

• Plan and implement design specifications for engineering projects.

• Assist architects and managers with project scoping, estimation, and planning.

• Provide technical direction and guide the workflow of engineers within assigned projects.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure complete and timely project delivery.

• Mentor junior team members and support their technical development.

• Recommend, establish, and maintain technical design methodologies, processes, and standards.

• Participate in cross-functional design efforts to develop expertise across multiple modules and systems.

• Engage with customers to address escalations and develop effective solutions.

• Partner with Product Management to define and refine detailed product requirements.

• Uphold F5’s Business Code of Ethics and promptly report violations of company policies.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep expertise across the full vertical technology stack, with strong proficiency in C/C++ programming.

• Proven ability to drive complex product development initiatives from concept to release.

• Extensive hands-on experience with embedded operating systems.

• Prior experience with cloud technologies, particularly AWS, Kubernetes (K8s), and distributed, scalable systems, including their deployment models, with a strong focus on scalability, performance, and security.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to collaborate and excel in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years experience; or equivalent experience.

The Job Description is intended to be a general representation of the responsibilities and requirements of the job. However, the description may not be all-inclusive, and responsibilities and requirements are subject to change.

The annual base pay for this position is: $186,400.00 - $279,600.00

F5 maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience, geographic locations, and market conditions, as well as to reflect F5’s differing products, industries, and lines of business. The pay range referenced is as of the time of the job posting and is subject to change.

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