F5 Engineer

PlanIT Group; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PlanIT Group is seeking a skilled F5 BIG-IP LTM administrator in Reston, VA. The role covers deployment, licensing, configuration, and ongoing optimization of multi-location networks with a focus on application delivery and security.

The candidate will manage SSL offload, iRules, and certificate lifecycles in a data-center environment. The position requires strong experience with Cisco/Nexus/Juniper devices, DNS/IP management, and proactive monitoring.

Qualifications

• 5 years with a Bachelor's degree or 9 years with a HS Diploma
• 5 years of hands-on experience in implementing and administering complex, multi-location networks
• Hands-on experience with F5 Load Balancers in real environments
• Experience administering Cisco/Nexus routers and switches and other listed vendors
• Good understanding of network principles and OSI model
• Experience managing DNS and IP infrastructure
• Data Center experience
• Experience with monitoring tools and proactive alerting
• Experience with ticketing systems and documentation
• Must be a US Citizen and able to obtain clearance

Responsibilities

• Deploy, license, and configure F5 BIG-IP LTM hardware
• Maintain Virtual servers, Pools, Nodes, and monitors
• Manage SSL offloading and cipher suites
• Develop and troubleshoot iRules (TCL) for traffic steering and security workarounds
• Manage SSL/TLS certificates lifecycle and automated renewals
• Perform deep packet and L3-L7 diagnostics for complex app issues
• Utilize tools like Wireshark, tcpdump, F5 iQuery, F5 Analytics
• Execute TMOS upgrades and backups
• Test failover in HA topologies (DSC, Active/Standby)
• Use F5 iControl REST APIs for programmatic control
• Recommend improvements for availability and performance
• Provide network administration for campus LAN/WAN
• Maintain IP addressing and subnetting knowledge
• On-call and after-hours maintenance

Skills

F5 BIG-IP

TCP/IP

DNS

Network troubleshooting

Security best practices

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

F5 LTM hardware

Cisco routers/switches

Nexus 9xxx

Catalyst 9000

Juniper MX

Infoblox DDI

Job description

Reston, VA Contract On-Site Flexibility/Remote: 100%

Responsibilities

• Deploy, license, and configure F5 BIG-IP LTM hardware.
• Maintain Virtual servers, Pools, Nodes, Custom monitors, and Persistence profiles
• Manage SSL offloading, SSL bridging, and secure cipher suite configurations.
• Author, optimize, and troubleshoot custom iRules (TCL-based) to handle:
  • Advanced traffic steering
  • URI redirects
  • Header manipulation
  • Specialized security workarounds
• Manage the lifecycle of SSL/TLS certificates, including:
  • CSR generation
  • Certificate deployment
  • Automated renewal cycles on BIG-IP devices
• Perform deep-packet and L3-L7 diagnostics for:
  • Complex application delivery issues
  • High latency
  • Routing issues
  • SSL handshake failures
• Utilize advanced tools such as:
  • Wireshark
  • tcpdump
  • F5 iQuery
  • F5 Analytics
• Execute TMOS operating system upgrades, hotfixes, and backup restorations using UCS/SCF configuration archives.
• Design and test failover mechanics in High Availability (HA) topologies, including:
  • Device Service Clustering (DSC)
  • Active/Standby setups
• Utilize F5 iControl REST APIs for programmatic control and monitoring.
• Recommend enhancements to improve systems availability and performance.
• Offer recommendations for procedural upgrades.
• Provide network administration and support for a campus-wide area network infrastructure.
• Maintain experience with:
  • TCP/IP protocol suite
  • IP subnets and masking
  • Routing protocols
• Work in Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) environments.
• Design, configure, and troubleshoot Routing and Switching systems. Cisco expertise required.
• Maintain security and ensure compliance with security policies and procedures.
• Provide on-call support for off-hours data center escalations.
• Perform regular scheduled out-of-hours maintenance window support.
• Maintain and manage network IP address management (IPAM)

For this position, there will be only one bill rate regardless of the number of hours worked in a day and / or work week.

Prime Contract# HHS316201200026W - Task Order#75F40122FF80448.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is– 561320 . The small business size standard is $34million.

Required Qualifications

• 5 years with a Bachelor's degree or 9 years with a HS Diploma
• 5 years of hands-on experience in the implementation and administration of complex, multi-location, multi-vendor, converged voice/data networks in a geographically distributed environment
• Must have in-depth hands-on experience on F5 Load Balancers in real world complex environments
• Hands-on experience in administering Cisco routers & switches including but not limited to Nexus 9xxx, Catalyst 9000, Cisco ONS, Cisco ACI and DNA Center. Juniper MX routers and EX switches. Infoblox DDI appliances
• Good understanding of network principles and the OSI model
• Experience managing networks, internal and external DNS, and the associated IP infrastructure
• Experience working in a Data Center
• Experience administering and configuring monitoring tools for proactive alerting and trends analysis
• Experience in working with support ticketing systems, managing assigned tickets, as well as providing appropriate follow-up
• Experience with creating and maintaining documentation
• Experience with the use of Data Center inventory management tools
• Must be a US Citizen
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the required agency clearance