Senior Network Engineer

F5 Networks • Reston, VA

18d • $179,500 - $269,300

About The Position

F5 is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to deliver reliable, scalable network services across global and multi-region environments, including regulated FedRAMP-authorized platforms. The role is primarily operations-focused, with responsibility for day-to-day network reliability, performance, and incident response, alongside engineering and build work such as evolving routing architectures, developing automation pipelines, troubleshooting complex network behavior, and delivering initiatives across data centers and cloud platforms.

The engineer will work with Architecture, Product, Security, Compliance, Operations, and Build teams to keep the global backbone, data center networks, cloud connectivity, and FedRAMP environments secure, resilient, automated, compliant, and well documented. The role includes end-to-end ownership of problems, influencing design patterns, and mentoring engineers. F5 emphasizes respectful collaboration and an inclusive culture.

The position involves designing, building, operating, and optimizing global routing and L3 networks; implementing secure segmentation and hybrid/cloud-native connectivity; and creating automated provisioning, configuration, compliance, and validation workflows. Operational duties include monitoring reliability and performance, supporting FedRAMP continuous monitoring and audits, troubleshooting complex connectivity issues, leading or supporting incident response, executing changes safely, and remediating vulnerabilities. The role also covers capacity planning, vendor and equipment lifecycle management, technical evaluation, documentation, and mentoring.

The annual base pay range is $179,500 to $269,300. Incentive compensation, bonus, restricted stock units, and benefits may also be offered. The job description notes that the salary range and benefit plans are subject to change.

Requirements

• 10+ years of network engineering experience, including large-scale, multi-region, and global routing environments.
• Deep hands-on expertise with BGP and OSPF in global IP backbone environments, including traffic engineering and multi-vendor interoperability.
• Strong operational and engineering experience with JunOS; MX, QFX, and SRX are preferred platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across routing, switching, TCP/IP, asymmetric paths, latency, packet loss, MTU/fragmentation, and QoS behaviors.
• Experience with hybrid cloud and cloud-native networking across AWS, Azure, and/or GCP.
• Hands-on automation skills using Python, Ansible/AWX, configuration templating, Git workflows, and automated testing/validation pipelines.
• Strong understanding of network security controls, boundary protection, encryption, logging, and segmentation concepts required for FedRAMP.
• Familiarity with firewalls, VPNs, DDoS mitigation, IDS/IPS, and NIST 800-53-based security frameworks.
• Strong incident leadership and ability to coordinate cross-functional teams under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across Architecture, Product, Security, Compliance, Operations, and Build teams.
• Ability to mentor and elevate peers and junior engineers.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments with competing priorities and regulatory constraints.
• Strong analytical thinking, structured problem-solving, and continuous-improvement mindset.
• Collaborative, respectful approach that contributes to a positive culture and demonstrates the expectation to “be kind.”

Nice To Haves

• Experience engineering, operating, or supporting FedRAMP Moderate and/or High environments is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with additional network operating system platforms such as EOS, NX-OS, or IOS-XE.

Responsibilities

• Engineer, build, operate, and deliver network solutions for global data centers, cloud platforms, FedRAMP-authorized environments, build environments, and product connectivity needs.
• Engineer and optimize routing for a global IP backbone, including multi-region route propagation, redundancy, and traffic engineering.
• Build and operate scalable, highly available Layer 3 topologies using BGP, OSPF, and routing policies such as communities, AS-path manipulation, MED/local-pref tuning, ECMP, and route-reflector hierarchy.
• Design and implement secure segmentation, boundary controls, and traffic isolation for FedRAMP Moderate and High environments.
• Implement hybrid and cloud-native routing across AWS, Azure, and GCP using cloud connectivity and routing services, aligned with FedRAMP architectures and security requirements.
• Develop and maintain automated provisioning, configuration, compliance, and validation pipelines using Python, Ansible/AWX, and Git-driven CI/CD workflows, including FedRAMP configuration baselines.
• Maintain connectivity, availability, and performance across multi-region data centers, backbone sites, cloud platforms, and FedRAMP environments through monitoring, telemetry, and lifecycle management.
• Operate networks in accordance with FedRAMP continuous monitoring requirements, including configuration drift detection, vulnerability mitigation, and audit readiness.
• Troubleshoot complex routing, TCP, and connectivity issues using tools such as netcat, ping/ICMP, logs, and packet captures.
• Lead or support major incident response, including FedRAMP-relevant incident handling, escalation, and reporting.
• Execute changes, upgrades, and migrations safely using structured procedures, documented approvals, automated workflows, and validated rollback mechanisms.
• Remediate vulnerabilities and maintain compliance across network operating system versions, configurations, firmware, and security posture in coordination with Security and Compliance teams.
• Engineer enhancements, new capabilities, and service-driven connectivity features that support product and platform evolution and FedRAMP boundary services.
• Design automation that enforces least privilege, segmentation, encryption in transit, logging, and configuration compliance for regulated environments.
• Replace manual operational steps with automated workflows that include pre- and post-checks, compliance gates, evidence collection, and safe rollback logic.
• Test network operating system versions, automation logic, routing changes, and security controls in controlled environments before production and FedRAMP deployment.
• Partner with Build, Engineering, Architecture, Product, Security, and Compliance teams to ensure reliability, scalability, and alignment with FedRAMP control objectives.
• Translate product, regulatory, and platform requirements into network designs with clear timelines and dependencies that meet FedRAMP architectural and security expectations.
• Conduct capacity planning across links, devices, cloud gateways, backbone segments, routing domains, and FedRAMP boundary components.
• Manage procurement cycles, RMA workflows, vendor escalations, and equipment lifecycle; evaluate vendor technologies for performance, resiliency, automation compatibility, FedRAMP eligibility, and cost-effectiveness.
• Create and maintain runbooks, architectural diagrams, troubleshooting guides, FedRAMP boundary diagrams, and network control documentation.
• Maintain documentation required for FedRAMP audits, assessments, and continuous monitoring; define lifecycle standards for network roles, routing constructs, appliances, and platform components.
• Document and continuously improve monitoring, alerting, and operational procedures.
• Mentor engineers through troubleshooting, technical deep dives, FedRAMP design considerations, and post-incident learning sessions.

Benefits

• Incentive compensation may be offered.
• Bonus may be offered.
• Restricted stock units may be offered.
• Benefits are offered; details are available through F5’s benefits information page.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed