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.

Seeking a Principal Test Engineer with deep expertise in advanced networking protocols and hands-on experience leveraging the latest AI methodologies for test automation and analytics. The ideal candidate will architect robust test strategies, drive quality initiatives across complex networked systems, and mentor the team in advanced testing techniques.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead end-to-end test planning, design, and execution for features involving advanced networking (L2/L3 switching/routing, load balancing, firewall, VPN, SSL/TLS offload, DNS, HTTP/2, HTTP/3, QUIC, IPsec, GRE, VXLAN, MPLS, BGP, OSPF, VRRP, SNMP, NetFlow, etc.).

Architect and implement automated test frameworks using modern AI/ML techniques for anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and intelligent test case generation.

Collaborate with development, product management, and DevOps to ensure comprehensive test coverage and continuous integration.

Analyze complex system behaviors, troubleshoot issues, and drive root cause analysis.

Mentor and guide junior engineers in networking technologies and AI-driven testing.

Stay current with industry trends in AI, automation, and network security.

Required Skills & Experience:

14+ years in software or system testing, with at least 5 years focused on networking products or platforms.

Deep understanding of networking protocols and architectures (TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP/S, SSL/TLS, DNS, BGP, OSPF, IPsec, GRE, VXLAN, MPLS, etc.).

Proficiency in Python or similar scripting languages; experience with test automation frameworks.

Hands-on experience applying AI/ML methodologies (e.g., data-driven testing, NLP for log analysis, anomaly detection).

Experience with CI/CD pipelines and cloud environments.

Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.

Preferred:

Industry certifications in networking (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, JNCIP, etc.).

Experience with containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).

Familiarity with REST APIs and modern DevOps practices.

Education:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related

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.

Please note that F5 only contacts candidates through F5 email address (ending with @f5.com) or auto email notification from Workday (ending with f5.com or @myworkday.com).

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.  F5 offers a variety of reasonable accommodations for candidates. Requesting an accommodation is completely voluntary. F5 will assess the need for accommodations in the application process separately from those that may be needed to perform the job. Request by contacting accommodations@f5.com.