F5 Distributed Cloud (F5XC) is the #1 requirement; we need someone that knows this platform well.
Network Architect – F5 Distributed Cloud / MuleSoft / AWS
Duration: 6 months
Start Window: June or July 2026
Work Location: Onshore or Nearshore
Work Hours: Must support U.S. Eastern Time business hours
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Network Architect to lead the architecture, design, implementation, testing, and operationalization of a cloud-based global load balancing solution using F5 Distributed Cloud Services within AWS. This role will support a multi-region architecture where application and employee journeys continue without interruption across AWS regions and platform instances.
The primary focus of this engagement is to design and deliver a resilient, secure, and reusable load balancing architecture for MuleSoft APIs that support critical enterprise platforms such as Salesforce, SAP RISE, and Amazon Connect. The solution must provide per-API routing, automated failover, continuous health monitoring, and seamless integration with existing security and operational tooling.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture and Discovery
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Lead discovery sessions and stakeholder workshops with application, infrastructure, cloud, security, and enterprise architecture teams
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Validate functional and non-functional requirements for multi-region API load balancing
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Assess current AWS network architecture, MuleSoft deployment topology, and security/compliance constraints
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Translate business requirements into scalable and supportable technical architecture
Solution Design
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Produce High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level Design (LLD) documents
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Define a reference architecture for enterprise reuse across application teams
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Design global and local load balancing patterns using F5 Distributed Cloud Services
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Define per-API routing strategies for active/active and active/passive MuleSoft services
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Design for IP-level health awareness of ingress controller instances within each region
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Ensure the solution supports automated failover without manual reconfiguration of the load balancer
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Incorporate future extensibility so additional APIs and platforms can be onboarded without redesign
Security and Integration
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Preserve and extend current security controls, including:
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WAF
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TLS / mTLS
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identity and policy enforcement
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Integrate with enterprise platforms and tooling, including:
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AWS
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CloudFront
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API Gateway
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Azure AD
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CyberArk
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CloudWatch
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Splunk
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ServiceNow for CMDB, catalog, incidents, and alerting workflows
Infrastructure as Code and Deployment
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Define and implement a Terraform-based IaC approach
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Build reusable, modular deployment components with clear separation for non-prod and prod
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Develop implementation plans, configuration standards, and deployment runbooks
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Deploy and configure the F5 Distributed Cloud solution in non-production and production environments
Testing and Operational Readiness
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Lead testing strategy and execution, including:
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functional testing
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API routing validation
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failover and resiliency testing
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security validation
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load and performance testing
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Support UAT and production cutover activities
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Develop operational runbooks, SOPs, and support model documentation
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Conduct knowledge transfer sessions for engineering and operations teams
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Support hypercare and transition to internal support teams
Governance and Leadership
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Lead architecture review sessions with enterprise architecture and cybersecurity teams
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Prepare approval artifacts and address design feedback
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Drive delivery as an enterprise-grade reusable service, not a one-off implementation
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Provide strong technical leadership, documentation discipline, and stakeholder communication throughout the engagement
Required Qualifications
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10+ years of experience in network architecture, application delivery, or cloud networking
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Deep hands-on experience with F5 Distributed Cloud Services
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Strong experience with AWS networking and multi-region architecture
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Experience designing global load balancing and local load balancing solutions
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Strong understanding of API traffic management and per-application/per-API routing models
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Experience supporting active/active and active/passive failover architectures
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Expertise in health monitoring, automated failover, and resilient application delivery patterns
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Strong experience with TLS, mTLS, WAF, and security policy continuity
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Hands-on experience with Terraform and reusable Infrastructure as Code design
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Experience integrating enterprise platforms with logging, monitoring, and ITSM tools
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Strong documentation skills, including architecture, design, test, and operational artifacts
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Ability to work across technical and business teams in a consulting-style delivery role
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience with MuleSoft, especially MuleSoft APIs and Private Spaces
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Experience with F5 Distributed Cloud in hybrid or multi-cloud enterprise environments
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Familiarity with CloudFront, API Gateway, Splunk, CloudWatch, and ServiceNow
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Experience with Azure AD and CyberArk integration patterns
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Prior experience supporting architecture review boards, cybersecurity review processes, and enterprise governance
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Experience delivering reusable shared services in large enterprise environments
Key Technical Skills
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F5 Distributed Cloud Services
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AWS networking and multi-region design
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Global load balancing and DNS-based traffic management
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API-level routing and traffic steering
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MuleSoft integration architecture
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Health checks and failover design
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WAF, TLS, mTLS, and security controls
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Terraform / IaC
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CloudWatch, Splunk, and monitoring integration
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ServiceNow CMDB, alerting, and service catalog integration
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Enterprise architecture and cybersecurity governance
Deliverables Expected from This Role
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Requirements validation documentation
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Current-state assessment
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Use-case definitions for MuleSoft API routing
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High-Level Design and Low-Level Design
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Reference architecture for reuse
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Security and compliance design artifacts
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Terraform module design and code structure
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Architecture review materials and approvals
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Implementation plan and runbook
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Production-ready configuration documentation
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Test plans and test results
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Operational runbooks and KT materials
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Production deployment and handoff documentation
Success Criteria
The successful consultant will deliver a solution that:
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Routes each MuleSoft API call to the correct healthy and eligible instance or region based on per-API routing rules
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Automatically fails over across regions without manual intervention
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Maintains compatibility with the current MuleSoft operating model
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Preserves existing security and policy controls
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Provides real-time visibility into API health and traffic flows
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Supports future onboarding of additional APIs and platforms through a reusable design model
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a senior architect who combines:
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strong F5 and cloud networking expertise,
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deep experience with secure API traffic management,
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practical AWS and Terraform delivery skills,
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and the ability to lead an enterprise architecture engagement from discovery through production handoff.
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