Component Engineer III

F5 Networks, Inc; Spokane Valley (WA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 192,000; Full time

Job summary

F5 Inc. is seeking a Component Engineer III to lead sustaining efforts for hardware platforms supporting application delivery, security, and networking solutions.

You will own component lifecycle management, mitigate obsolescence risks, and ensure continuity across a global supply chain while partnering with design, quality, and manufacturing teams. You will drive supplier engagement, qualification activities, and data stewardship to improve BOM health, cost, and risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 4–7+ years of component/sustaining engineering or hardware development.
• Strong understanding of electronic components (semiconductors, passives, connectors, power devices).
• Experience managing component lifecycle risks and executing mitigation strategies.
• Ability to independently evaluate component equivalency and influence decisions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor component lifecycles (PCNs, NRND, EOL) and drive mitigation strategies.
• Own lifecycle health for assigned commodities or platforms with risk reporting.
• Lead resolution of component-related production and field issues; perform root-cause analysis.
• Coordinate validation and qualification activities; support ECOs and design updates.
• Collaborate with Global Supply Chain, suppliers, and manufacturing to mitigate shortages and optimize costs.

Skills

Independent problem-solving

Ownership mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

PLM systems (Agile, Windchill)

SiliconExpert

Z2Data

IHS

ServiceNow

Job description

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.

Component Engineer III (Sustaining Engineering)

F5 Inc.

Position Summary

F5 is seeking a Component Engineer III to play a key role in sustaining engineering for our hardware platforms supporting application delivery, security, and networking solutions. In this role, you will take ownership of component lifecycle management, drive obsolescence mitigation strategies, and ensure long-term product continuity across a global supply chain. As a mid-level engineer, you will operate with increasing independence, influence cross-functional decisions, and contribute to strategic initiatives that balance risk, cost, and product performance.

Key Responsibilities

Component Lifecycle & Obsolescence Leadership

• Proactively monitor component lifecycles (PCNs, NRND, EOL) using industry tools and supplier engagement
• Assess risk across multiple product lines and drive mitigation strategies (LTB, redesign, alternates)
• Own lifecycle health for assigned commodities or platforms; provide regular risk reporting and recommendations
• Maintain and improve AML/AVL integrity within F5 PLM systems

Sustaining Engineering Ownership

• Lead resolution of component‑related production and field issues, including root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Partner with Quality, Design, and Manufacturing teams to address reliability concerns and drive closure
• Provide component engineering guidance for ECOs, sustaining design updates, and cost‑reduction initiatives

Alternate Sourcing & Qualification

• Identify and qualify alternate components with minimal supervision
• Perform detailed form/fit/function analysis, including electrical and reliability considerations
• Coordinate and support validation and qualification activities, ensuring compliance with F5 standards

Supply Chain & Supplier Engagement

• Collaborate closely with Global Supply Chain and sourcing teams to mitigate shortages, allocation risks, and long lead times
• Engage directly with suppliers to resolve technical issues, evaluate risk, and support qualification of new sources
• Contribute to cost optimization through part standardization, supplier selection, and design influence

Compliance & Data Stewardship

• Ensure component compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements (RoHS, REACH, WEEE, conflict minerals)
• Maintain accurate, audit‑ready documentation for qualification, traceability, and lifecycle status
• Improve data quality and processes within component and lifecycle management systems

Cross‑Functional Influence

• Act as a key technical resource to hardware design, system engineering, and manufacturing teams
• Participate in design and sustainment reviews, influencing component selection and lifecycle strategy
• Help define and improve best practices, standards, and workflows for component engineering at F5

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• 4–7+ years of experience in component engineering, sustaining engineering, or hardware development
• Strong understanding of electronic components (semiconductors, passives, connectors, power devices)
• Proven experience managing component lifecycle risks and executing mitigation strategies
• Ability to independently evaluate component equivalency and drive technical decisions
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in networking, telecom, server, or high‑reliability hardware systems
• Familiarity with PLM systems (Agile, Windchill) and lifecycle tools (SiliconExpert, Z2Data, IHS)
• Experience with ServiceNow ticketing system to track Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Engineering support efforts
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and global suppliers
• Knowledge of reliability engineering and failure analysis methodologies
• Exposure to high‑mix, long‑lifespan products

Key Skills & Competencies

• Independent problem‑solving with a structured, data‑driven approach
• Ability to balance technical, supply chain, and business considerations
• Strong ownership mindset and accountability for deliverables
• Effective cross‑functional collaboration and stakeholder management
• Attention to detail in documentation, compliance, and execution

Scope & Impact (Level III Expectations)

• Owns lifecycle and sourcing strategy for key components or subsystems
• Leads medium‑complexity efforts with minimal supervision
• Influences design and sourcing decisions that impact cost, risk, and product continuity
• Serves as a go‑to resource for component‑related issues within sustaining engineering

Success Metrics

• Successful mitigation of obsolescence and supply risks with minimal business disruption
• Reduction in component‑driven production or field issues
• Timely qualification and deployment of alternate components
• Improved BOM lifecycle health and data quality
• Measurable contributions to cost savings and supply continuity

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.

The annual base pay for this position is: $128,000.00 - $192,000.00

F5 maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience, geographic locations, and market conditions, as well as to reflect F5’s differing products, industries, and lines of business. The pay range referenced is as of the time of the job posting and is subject to change.

You may also be offered incentive compensation, bonus, restricted stock units, and benefits. More details about F5’s benefits can be found at the following link: https://www.f5.com/company/careers/benefits F5 reserves the right to change or terminate any benefit plan without notice.

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 [e-mail].