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F5 WAF Lead Engineer @Remote

IT Minds LLC · Washington, DC · 1 mo ago
EngineeringFull-time

About the role

We are seeking an experienced F5 WAF Lead Engineer to own and drive the transformation of enterprise web application firewall security - moving from broad, generic rule sets to application-specific, tailored WAF policies across a large application portfolio. This is not a maintenance or administration role: the ideal candidate combines deep hands-on F5 WAF/XC expertise with the ability to set direction, define methodology, and build the automation and AI-assisted tooling needed to operate at scale. The engineer will work directly with client security leadership to define strategy and milestones, while remaining hands-on in building, tuning, and implementing policy.

This team is moving from broad, generic WAF rules to an application by application approach, using AI to evaluate each application/configuration and recommend and build tailored WAF policies in order to reduce internet-facing exposure. The role requires someone who has used F5 XC and Silverline, as well as someone who has built custom, per-application WAF policies. This is a very security-focused lead position. This person needs experience with web application vulnerability assessment and remediation. Automation skills are key, as they can no longer work in a manual environment with so many applications. They need to be able to evaluate, recommend, and implement policies at scale, and have AI experience—feeding application scan outputs, live internet traffic, and app configuration into AI to recommend WAF policies. Currently using Snyk, BrightSec, Synack, and X-Bow, and using F5 XC for load balancing and WAF implementation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define and lead the strategy for transitioning from broad WAF rules to per-application, tailored security policies across a large application portfolio.
  • Design and build an AI-assisted policy development workflow - using scan output, traffic data, and application configuration to recommend and generate tailored WAF policies at scale.
  • Evaluate, recommend, and implement F5 Distributed Cloud (XC) WAAP policies on an application-by-application basis.
  • Integrate findings from vulnerability and penetration testing tools into the policy development process.
  • Partner directly with client cybersecurity leadership to define deliverables, direction, and rollout milestones.
  • Establish repeatable methodology and documentation so the practice can scale as volume grows and the team expands.
  • Support and mentor additional team members as the engagement scales.
  • Troubleshoot complex WAF policy, traffic, and security issues across cloud-hosted environments.
  • Support incident response and root cause analysis for WAF/application security events.
  • Coordinate change management and production deployment windows for policy rollouts.

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in web application firewall engineering, with strong hands-on expertise in F5 Distributed Cloud (XC) WAAP.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and implementing custom, per-application WAF policies (not just baseline/default rule sets).
  • Experience conducting web application vulnerability assessment and remediation.
  • Strong understanding of OWASP Top 10 and emerging web application threats.
  • Experience leveraging AI/automation tooling to scale security operations (policy generation, evaluation, or triage).
  • Ability to operate as both a strategic lead (defining direction, engaging client stakeholders) and a hands-on implementer.
  • Experience with F5 Silverline and/or BIG-IP ASM/Advanced WAF (prior-generation context).
  • Familiarity with cloud-hosted application architectures.
  • Excellent communication skills - able to present strategy and status to client security leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience integrating SAST/SCA/DAST/pen-test tooling into WAF policy workflows.
  • F5 Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) or equivalent.
  • Experience with regulated environments (PCI, SOX, HIPAA).
  • Knowledge of Zero Trust and API security frameworks.
  • Familiarity with automation/scripting (Python, REST APIs, Terraform) for policy-as-code workflows.
  • Prior experience leading or scaling a security engineering practice/team.

Technical Skills

  • F5 Technologies: F5 Distributed Cloud (XC) WAAP, F5 Silverline, BIG-IP ASM/Advanced WAF (legacy context)
  • Security: Web Application Firewall (WAF) policy design, OWASP Top 10, AI-assisted security tooling, application security, API security, vulnerability assessment, threat mitigation

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