F5 Networks: good/bad?
How do you guys feel about F5 Networks? The Glassdoor reviews paint a rather dismal picture. :(
Coz they have old tech.
As with many things, highly team dependent.
Join them. Must be a great company!
Real talk tho, what’s the mood over there? Feel free to DM
Cautious. We don't know what to expect.
F5 is not only about hardware. We have an outstanding track record of L4-L7 knowledge, including securing Apps. We also acquired NGINX. It’s a great company to work for but you need to make sure you negotiate a high enough salary since the beginning.
It’s okay. If you think the tech is cool you’ll probably have an okay time, and it’s generally pretty easy to maintain work/life balance. But it is very team-dependent, and some managers are just shit and everyone knows it. There’s a lot of inertia for doing things the wrong way, mostly small stuff, that can make it bad if you don’t care about the work. I’m just gonna put this out there - it’s gonna be easier if you’re a man. The vaunted corporate culture is, day to day, pretty steeped in machismo and it can get pretty tiring. But I think that’s just the field so wyd. Me? I like working there, getting close to ten years, but the culture and the way that some people are can just be grating.
Agreed I have only been here for a couple years, it’s more about who you know than what you do.
Who are the shitty managers? Name names. You know, for science.
Oh one thing though, if you’re in the Seattle area? New building is gonna be fuckin great. Dumb name, great look, waaaay better location, and it’s going to have destination dispatch elevators which I am unreasonably excited about.
Overall I love F5. Been here almost 4 years, great WLB and decent TC here. Seniors should get low 200s so not top tier but WLB makes up for a LOT! Very concerned about direction and future but if we can succeed with the Nginx acquisition we will be market leader in both HW and SW LB so somewhat optimistic for the future. Layoffs are always a concern right now tbh so keep up to date on your LC.
Quick question from a recent F5 hire. Does F5 offer annual merit increases and performance based RSUs?
Yes. Normally annual merit increase is 3-5% and RSU refreshers are in the range of 20% of your salary I think (at least that’s about what my have been ever year so far). Refreshers vest quarterly over 2 years plus there’s a 10% bonus every quarter too. TC is good not great, I’d put it at the upper end of tier 2 companies
...assuming you negotiated a good deal for yourself when you joined.
Left for higher TC. I am a senior person. My TC went down as refreshes went down. True what other posted on salary increases: they are around inflation rate and no promotions generally. Very uncertain future. Ngnix acquisition is a desperation: very high price with questionable prospect on how can this replace declining HW revenue and ultimately service revenue. Long-time CTO just left or was pushed out. I wish I was wrong. Great WLB and perks like snacks and company events, even with recent cost control. These who could leave have left.
I’m not sore about seeing cleaning house, but I’m not 100% on the direction we’re going. Nginx acquisition was planned - leadership never really expected to release Blue. Nobody will say that, but that sort of thing is how Francois works. My team saw RSU cuts which amounted to a 10% reduction in TC for me last year, and it’s really got me thinking about leaving. Just not a good time for me.
Blue is dead for good? I also didn't see what is the game plan there, given that alternatives there are free.
Avoid network hardware vendors in general
Y?
Expand on that if you could?