F5 is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to design, develop, and test high-performance network drivers for the BIG-IP data-plane, which runs in virtual machines or native Kubernetes environments. The role involves leading technical architecture, mentoring junior engineers, and enhancing carrier-grade software solutions used by major global enterprises.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the technical expert for network driver design and architecture
- Drive analysis of requirements
- Assist manager and architect with project estimates
- Liaise with cross-functional teams to ensure that project is delivered in its entirety
- Act as a mentor for junior members of the team
- Design and implement network drivers and test automation for them
- Research, investigate, and define new areas of technology to enhance existing products or identify new product directions
- Conduct presentations internally and externally
- Participate in hiring and onboarding process
- Uphold F5’s Business Code of Ethics
What We're Looking For
- Must have a strong C development background
- Must have experience and knowledge of networking protocols, architecture, and technologies
- Experience with Linux user space and kernel space driver development
- 8+ years’ programming experience
- Excellent analytical and debugging skills
- Ability to manage ambiguity in work
- Ability to present ideas verbally and in-writing with clarity and precision
- A minimum of 8+ years of related work experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6-8 years work experience and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ work experience
Nice to Have
- Experience with DPDK’s network PMDs
- Exposure to containerization solutions (like Kubernetes) and Microservices Architecture
- Well-versed in GitLab and/or similar repository solution
Technical Stack
- C
- Linux kernel space
- Linux user space
- DPDK
- SR-IOV
- FPGA
- Kubernetes
- GitLab
Team & Environment
Drivers’ team within F5; part of larger engineering organization focused on BIG-IP data-plane development
Benefits & Compensation
- Incentive compensation
- Bonus
- Restricted stock units
- Health benefits
- PTO
- Training
- Relocation (implied via broad salary ranges across geographies)
- Reasonable accommodations for candidates
Compensation: $186,400.00 - $279,600.00 base salary, with additional equity in the form of restricted stock units and incentive compensation including bonus.
Work Mode
Broad salary ranges account for geographic locations; implies location-based flexibility within countries
It is the policy of F5 to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination.
