The F5 Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing complex F5 solutions across enterprise environments. This role ensures high availability, security, load balancing, traffic management, and application delivery for mission‑critical systems.
Key Responsibilities
1. Architecture & Design
Design enterprise‑level F5 solutions including BIG‑IP LTM, GTM/DNS, ASM, APM, AFM, Advanced WAF, SSLO.
Create scalable and secure architectures for load balancing, application delivery, and traffic management.
Develop high‑availability (HA) architectures and disaster recovery strategies.
Define F5 standards, reference architectures, and best practices.
2. Implementation & Configuration
Configure and deploy F5 BIG‑IP modules (LTM, APM, ASM, DNS).
Develop and troubleshoot iRules / iApps / iControl REST for automation and customization.
Integrate F5 with identity services (LDAP/AD, SSO, SAML, OAuth, MFA).
Implement SSL termination/offloading, certificate management, and traffic inspection.
3. Security & Compliance
Configure Web Application Firewall (WAF) policies and security profiles.
Optimize bot protection, DDoS mitigation, and API security.
Ensure compliance with relevant frameworks (PCI-DSS, ISO, NIST).
Perform security reviews, vulnerability assessments, and remediation planning.
4. Performance Optimization
Analyze application performance and optimize load balancing methods (Round Robin, Ratio, Least Connections, etc.).
Troubleshoot latency, DNS resolution issues, routing failures, certificate issues.
Monitor system health, traffic, and performance using F5 dashboards and logs.
5. Automation & DevOps
Automate deployments using Ansible, Terraform, Python, or F5 AS3/DO.
Integrate F5 with CI/CD pipelines for consistent policy and infrastructure deployment.
Participate in cloud migration efforts using F5 Distributed Cloud, AWS, Azure, or GCP.
6. Stakeholder Collaboration
Work with network, security, cloud, and application teams to align F5 solutions with business needs.
Provide technical leadership during architecture reviews and project planning.
Conduct knowledge transfer, documentation, and operational training.
Required Skills & Qualifications
Technical Skills
Deep expertise with F5 BIG-IP modules:
LTM (Local Traffic Manager)
GTM/DNS
APM (Access Policy Manager)
ASM/Advanced WAF
AFM (Firewall)
SSLO
Strong in iRules (TCL), iApps, iControl, AS3, DO, TS.
Understanding of network fundamentals: TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLANs, routing, NAT, SSL/TLS.
Experience with Web/App technologies: HTTP/S, APIs, OAuth, SAML, JSON, XML.
Knowledge of cloud networking and F5 cloud products (F5 XC, F5 on AWS/Azure).
Hands-on experience with automation tools: Ansible, Python, Terraform.
Soft Skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management abilities.
Ability to lead large-scale architecture and migration projects.
Documentation and diagramming skills (Visio, Lucidchart).
Preferred Certifications
F5 Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) – LTM, APM, ASM
F5 Certified Solutions Expert (F5-CSE)
CCNP/CCIE, Azure/AWS Architect (added advantage)
Education
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or equivalent.