Solutions Architect – BIG-IP Next for Kubernetes (BNK)F5 is transforming how organizations deliver, secure, and operate modern applications. BIG-IP Next for Kubernetes (BNK) is F5's cloud-native platform for Kubernetes networking, application delivery, and security. We are building a specialized sales team to target the most explosive-growth sector in technology: Neoclouds, AI-Native Platforms, Hyperscalers, and AI Foundationals.
The Solutions Architect BNK is a senior technical leader and trusted advisor. Operating in lockstep with a Principal Account Executive, you will help Neocloud and AI infrastructure customers design, modernize, and scale their AI Factories. This role drives technical strategy, customer adoption, and technical wins by aligning BNK solutions (including native NVIDIA BlueField DPU offload) to massive-scale AI workload requirements.
This role aligns with F5's Solutions Architect (P6) career framework.
What You'll Do- Lead AI Infrastructure Architecture: Drive architecture strategy and solution design for enterprise Kubernetes, high-performance networking, and AI workload ingress/egress initiatives.
- Co-Lead the Sales Team: Partner daily with a Principal Account Executive to qualify opportunities, drive technical win strategies, and map F5 capabilities to executive business cases.
- Be the Trusted Technical Advisor: Engage directly with CTOs, Chief Architects, and Platform Engineering leaders at hyper-scale Neoclouds and AI Native companies.
- Execute Technical Validation: Conduct deep-dive technical discovery, architecture workshops, demonstrations, and complex Proof of Concepts (PoCs) in high-throughput environments.
- Master the AI Stack: Architect solutions leveraging advanced networking (BGP, VRFs, Multus), NVIDIA DOCA, and hardware-accelerated traffic management to maximize GPU utilization and reclaim host CPU.
- Develop the Playbook: Create reusable AI Factory reference architectures, technical playbooks, and best practices for DPU-resident service layers.
- Bridge Field to Engineering: Represent cutting-edge Neocloud market trends and customer requirements directly to F5 Product and Engineering teams.
Required Qualifications- 12+ years of experience in Solutions Architecture, Solutions Engineering, Platform Engineering, or related customer-facing technical roles.
- Deep, hands-on expertise in Kubernetes, container orchestration, cloud-native networking (CNIs), and application delivery.
- Experience architecting massive-scale cloud infrastructure, particularly in high-performance computing (HPC) or AI data center environments.
- Advanced understanding of Layer 2-7 networking (BGP, EVPN, VXLAN) and hardware acceleration (SmartNICs, DPUs like NVIDIA BlueField).
- Proven ability to engage, challenge, and influence elite technical stakeholders (Network Architects, AI Platform Leads).
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and consultative problem-solving skills.
Skills & Competencies- Deep expertise in Kubernetes edge networking, security, and multi-tenant isolation.
- Ability to design and communicate highly complex physical-to-logical network architectures (e.g., eSwitch hardware offload, SR-IOV).
- Strong executive presence mixed with undeniable technical depth.
- Fierce collaboration skills, particularly in acting as the technical engine alongside a quota-carrying Account Executive.
- Strategic mindset with a passion for AI infrastructure, GPU optimization, and next-generation data center design.
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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: $201,600.00 - $302,400.00
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: . F5 reserves the right to change or terminate any benefit plan without notice.
