Principal Engineer, Software

Job Description

At F5 , we are building a distributed cloud services (XC) platform designed to support large-scale , high-performance , and highly available services across multi-cloud environments . The Control Plane Team is seeking an experienced Principal/Senior Principal Engineer with deep technical expertise in routing protocols , networking fundamentals , and distributed systems . You will work on the development and lifecycle of a multi-cloud platform , primarily within AWS environments , leveraging Kubernetes (K8s) for orchestration. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in routing protocols (BGP, iBGP, OSPF, etc.) and networking fundamentals. Experience working with distributed systems , Kubernetes, and AWS environments is highly desirable. You will be responsible for designing and implementing scalable and resilient control and data plane solutions . Additionally, your leadership experience and technical expertise will help guide the future direction of our product. Key Responsibilities Lead control path development for the XC product line , focusing on scalability and high availability in distributed cloud environments. Design and implement scalable , high-performance solutions for distributed cloud(XC). Technically lead major system components in distributed systems , from design to implementation. Create and maintain functional specifications and design documents to clearly communicate design decisions and solutions. Proactively identify and resolve key technical challenges related to performance , security , and scalability . Continuously improve the performance and reliability of the platform, ensuring it meets operational demands . Investigate and propose solutions to security vulnerabilities within the platform, including third-party integrations . Mentor junior engineers and serve as a source of technical expertise across the team. Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders , presenting complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Qualifications 14+ years of software engineering experience, with 10+ years in designing and implementing large-scale distributed systems . Prior experience with cloud technology and networking, routing platforms, control plane, Docker, Kubernetes, public cloud (Azure, AWS) etc. Deep expertise in routing protocol (BGP , OSPF and IPSec routing ) and networking protocols ( TCP , UDP , L4-L7 , HTTP , BGP , IPSec ) is mandatory. Experience with cloud networking platforms and commercial BGP routing solutions . Strong coding proficiency in C++/Golang , with a proven track record of leading complex software development efforts. Hands-on experience with Docker , K8s , and microservices architecture in cloud environments. Strong architectural skills in designing highly available , real-time systems in distributed environments. Proven experience driving complex SW development and test efforts in small and fast paced organizations, with an understanding of the trade-offs that must be made to ensure timeliness and quality. Excellent communication , collaboration , and leadership skills , with the ability to lead and mentor teams effectively. Passion for learning new technologies, and a track record of doing so. Nice to have: Experience with Route Reflectors and BGP Confederations for managing complex BGP deployments in large-scale environments. Understanding of route dampening , BGP path attributes , and BGP synchronization techniques .