The intent of the Function Overview is to provide a high-level

Function Overview summary of the purpose, responsibilities, and characteristics of the

function in a way that anyone will be able to gain a clear
understanding of the function, without any prior knowledge,
Core Engineering context, or explanation.

Engineering is a broad field of opportunity with numerous areas of discipline; from building Web Application and API Protection, Fraud and Abuse
Prevention, Zero Trust Security, Application and Network Performance, Modern Application Delivery - it is a diverse and varied profession. Utilizing
programming languages, tools, and methodologies, engineers develop solutions for a wide range of platforms and purposes. This process typically
follows several stages, including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

Engineers work in close partnership with numerous other teams to visualize, design, and develop innovative products. This includes Product
Management, Marketing, Sales, Customer Support, as well as with other Engineering functions, to ensure every aspect of a product is taken into
consideration when designing and developing a product. Together, they focus on building highly scalable, fault-tolerant, distributed systems to
deliver elegant systems that are robust, stable, and simple.

Engineers are curious and inquisitive by nature, always interested in the latest and greatest technologies. Technology provides a vast array of vast
options and challenges to keep Engineers constantly engaged. As a result, Engineering is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor, providing numerous
opportunities for exploration and career growth. Engineers will generally begin their journey focusing on one area and broadening their skills and
experience as they advance their career. Core Engineering is the foundational structure for all of F5’s engineering areas of discipline, and is based
upon the fundamental languages, tools, and methodologies which define the majority of our core areas of development.

Engineering Specializations are specific areas of discipline within Engineering, such as software, and DevOps, often requiring knowledge and skills
beyond Core Engineering. Specializations are identified based upon new and/or emerging technologies and are created to support F5’s investments
in, and help to ensure market alignment for, special skill sets.

The structure of Engineering Specializations aligns with Core Engineering, which provides an easy career path for engineers interested in transitioning
to a new area of discipline. Whether an engineer decides to build their skills in a Core Engineering function, or to expand their repertoire into an
area of specialization, the overall structure is the same.

Core Engineering Fundamental 5
ALL LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO DEMONSTRATE BEF5 AND LEADF5 BEHAVIORS
The Fundamental 5 are the core competencies necessary to be successful in a
function. These competencies apply to all roles within the Function, with the
level of proficiency varying based upon experience and career development.
While aptitude may vary, the intent is to ensure candidates coming into the
function are set up for success by either having direct experience or exhibiting the
passion and potential to develop these skill(s).

TECHNICAL ACUMEN Possesses a broad understanding of various programming languages and platforms. This includes knowledge in areas such as secure coding
practices, networking, security, containerization, HW and FPGA development, and modern software architectures, testing, and scaling. Has a solid understanding
of the product lifecycle - from initial design and development, through deployment and maintenance. A proactive self-learner a constant curiosity for new and
emerging technologies, and an eagerness for opportunities to put their learnings into practice.

CRITICAL REASONING (JUDGMENT, DECISION MAKING, AND PRAGMATISM). Exercises sound judgment based on an ability to incorporate experience, data, priorities, and
stakeholder needs, and evaluate potential constraints to arrive at the most beneficial path forward. Consistently exhibits the ability to navigate situations with
thought, purpose, and sensibility after adequately contemplating various available courses of action, balancing the trade-offs between immediate and long-term
needs. Recognizes that while the effect of a single fix may not always be terribly significant, the accumulative effect over time makes each decision extremely
valuable.

INITIATIVE & ADAPTABILITY Does more than is required or expected, not because someone requested it but because it will improve or enhance a product and/or
avoid problems. Plans for upcoming problems or opportunities and takes actions accordingly. Applies original thinking to improve processes, methods, systems, or
services. Deals well with ambiguities, focusing on evaluating a situation, identifying what is and is not a priority, and moving toward the most logical outcome.

PARTNERSHIP Recognizes collaboration fosters the most effective exchange of ideas and talent, facilitating open dialogues with a wide variety of contributors and
stakeholders, building partnerships, leveraging skillsets, and sharing knowledge to achieve a common goal. Creates alignment through mutual accountability,
transparent communications, and the application of change management principles.

COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION Conveys information, vision, and strategy in an accurate and timely manner, adjusting to ensure understanding based
on the audience. Actively listens; seeks to understand rather than respond. Proactively solicits and values diverse perspectives, ideas, and opinions.
Career Progression Matrix
Career progression is based upon individual aptitude and business need. F5ers build foundational knowledge through coaching, mentorship, and opportunities to develop
skills and experience, such as project work and cross-functional partnerships.

Role Responsibilities Attributes

– Experience writing code; understands the fundamentals, ability
1. Contributes to the development cycle of a product(s) in order to meet defined deliverables on time
to open an integrated development environment (IDE),
and in scope.
discipline with software stack.
Engineer I

2. Collaborate with technical leads to design and test code; collaborate with peers on assigned project
– Demonstrates foundational understanding of standards,
teams.
concepts, and principles of engineering to solve practical needs
3. Understand, identify, and measure performance and success of features.
of the business.
4. Contribute to documentation of technical designs and features.
– Experience supporting systems in production environments.
5. Receives regular and general instruction and guidance from team lead and more experienced
– Ability to quickly apply experience to effectively identify and
engineers
address issues
1. Contributes to the development of small to medium complexity tasks, working on a variety of
technical problems of varying scope & complexity. – Able to design, implement, and test new functionality with
Engineer II

2. Develops, writes, tests, debugs, and implements code using the relevant programming languages as minimal supervision.
part of a larger project, with some direction from senior engineers and above. – Consistently applies good software design, implementation, and
3. Deploys features and APIs utilized by other engineers for higher-level software development. test principles.
4. Participate in design and code review to ensure quality and stability of features. – Effectively works with peers on team-oriented projects.
5. Drive development effort End-to-End for on-time delivery of high-quality solutions that conform to – Proactively collaborates with other software engineers on
requirements, architectural vision, and applicable standards. design, best practices, and code reviews
1. Collaborate with project team members (Product Managers, Architects, Analysts, Software
Engineers, Project Managers, etc.) to ensure development and implementation of data driven
solutions.
Engineer III

2. Present technical solutions, capabilities, considerations, and features in business terms. Effectively – Strong knowledge of continuous delivery, testing, security
communicate status, issues, and risks in a precise and timely manner. practices, performance, and disaster recovery.
3. Collaborate with senior technical staff and PMs to identify, document, plan contingency, track and – Experience supporting mission-critical, customer facing systems
manage risks and issues until all are resolved. in production environments
4. Partner with PMs to break down tasks, provide estimates, and discuss tradeoffs.
5. Writes technical documentation for internal and/or external consumption, for developers of varying
skills level.
1. Leads development of code and integration of complex components into a fully functional system,
including leading the process of documenting and maintaining architecture, requirements,
algorithms, interfaces, and designs.
2. Drives ongoing efficiency and reliability improvements through design and automation (availability, – Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques, and
Sr Engineer

performance, scaling, monitoring, and capacity) evaluation criteria for obtaining results Works to drive
3. Partners with Product Managers and other Engineers to discuss and define requirements and continuous improvement and efficiency.
acceptance criteria; identifies and proposes process improvements to enhance performance and – Ability to write code in multiple languages, choosing the right
customer satisfaction. strongly or dynamically typed language for the job.
4. Guides and mentors other engineers to deliver well-tested, observable, documented, efficient, – Provides technical leadership to other software developers
scalable, and resilient solutions.
5. Represents the team in cross organizational Engineering meetings as a recognized Subject Matter
Expert for one or more technical topics.
Role Responsibilities Attributes
1. Applies broad expertise and knowledge in a highly specialized field, or multiple related disciplines.
Principal Engineer 2. Owns medium to large platform initiatives, providing technical leadership as the primary technical
– Conceptual thinker who can understand advanced issues and
contact, owning design and implementation of features to drive success.
implications and explain them effectively to non-engineers.
3. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to capture requirements and enable successful adoption
– Raises the bar for technical knowledge through their work
for new products and features.
product and process.
4. Provides technical leadership by proposing new approaches and technologies and driving the due
– Resolves complex issues in creative, efficient, and effective
diligence process to determine viability.
ways.
5. Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of
intangibles.

1. Guide and mentor other engineers to deliver well-tested, observable, documented, efficient,
Sr Principal Engineer

scalable, and resilient solutions.
2. Collaborate directly with marketing, product, and other engineering teams to develop products and
features that help drive content, messaging, localization, and experimentation at scale.
3. Advises senior leaders on significant technical matters, often requiring coordination between
organizations. Contributes to the development of company objectives and principles to achieve goals
in creative and effective ways.
4. Drives initiatives resulting in the adoption of strategic technologies, techniques, and/or tools. Is a
recognized Subject Matter Expert in their area(s) of technology.
5. Leads efforts related to improving the performance and reliability of complex systems.
– Recognized leader in function; sought out by others across
organization for technical guidance and insight.
– Ability to design and effectively lead large scale engineering
programs.
– Decisions significantly affect the quality and success of team
projects.
– Drives improvements in companywide best practices, tools, and
technology