Applied AI Scientist

Lumen Technologies; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Life insurance

Voluntary lifestyle benefits

Job summary

Lumen Technologies is seeking a highly technical Applied AI Scientist to design, develop, deploy, and optimize AI-powered solutions that solve meaningful business challenges. You will partner with business, product, engineering, and technology teams to identify opportunities, rapidly prototype solutions, and deliver production-ready AI capabilities.

You will combine expertise in machine learning, generative AI, and experimentation to create scalable AI systems that improve customer experiences,

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in applied AI, machine learning, data science, or a related field.
• Experience developing and deploying production AI or machine learning solutions.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, statistics, predictive modeling, experimentation, and analytics.
• Experience building solutions utilizing LLMs, RAG architectures, vector databases, and modern AI frameworks.
• Proficiency in Python and common AI/ML toolsets such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, LangChain, MLflow, or similar technologies.
• Experience working with cloud platforms and production software environments.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working in cross-functional agile teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI and machine learning solutions from proof of concept through production.
• Partner with business and product stakeholders to identify use cases, define objectives, and measure impact.
• Build solutions leveraging machine learning, generative AI, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), NLP, predictive analytics, and agentic workflows.
• Develop and maintain evaluation frameworks to ensure solution quality, accuracy, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering teams to operationalize AI solutions using MLOps and LLMOps best practices.
• Contribute reusable code, tools, models, and frameworks that accelerate AI adoption across the enterprise.
• Stay current on emerging AI technologies and recommend innovative approaches to business challenges.
• Contribute to technical best practices and knowledge sharing across the team.

Skills

Applied AI

ML deployment

RAG

LLMs

Vector databases

Python

Education

Master's degree in CS/AI

PhD in related field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Hugging Face

LangChain

MLflow

Job description

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter.

This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today.

The Role

Lumen is seeking a highly technical and execution-oriented Applied AI Scientist to design, develop, deploy, and optimize AI-powered solutions that solve meaningful business challenges. In this role, you will partner with business, product, engineering, and technology teams to identify opportunities, rapidly prototype solutions, and deliver production-ready AI capabilities.

You will combine expertise in machine learning, generative AI, software development, and experimentation to create scalable AI systems that improve customer experiences, operational efficiency, and business outcomes. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on builder who enjoys solving complex problems and translating emerging AI technologies into measurable business value.

The Main Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI and machine learning solutions from proof of concept through production.
• Partner with business and product stakeholders to identify use cases, define objectives, and measure impact.
• Build solutions leveraging machine learning, generative AI, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG), NLP, predictive analytics, and agentic workflows.
• Develop and maintain evaluation frameworks to ensure solution quality, accuracy, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering teams to operationalize AI solutions using MLOps and LLMOps best practices.
• Contribute reusable code, tools, models, and frameworks that accelerate AI adoption across the enterprise.
• Stay current on emerging AI technologies and recommend innovative approaches to business challenges.
• Contribute to technical best practices and knowledge sharing across the team.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in applied AI, machine learning, data science, or a related field.
• Experience developing and deploying production AI or machine learning solutions.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, statistics, predictive modeling, experimentation, and analytics.
• Experience building solutions utilizing LLMs, RAG architectures, vector databases, and modern AI frameworks.
• Proficiency in Python and common AI/ML toolsets such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, LangChain, MLflow, or similar technologies.
• Experience working with cloud platforms and production software environments.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working in cross‑functional agile teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience implementing Responsible AI and AI governance practices.
• Experience supporting enterprise‑scale AI initiatives.
• Contributions to publications, patents, open‑source projects, or professional AI communities.

Compensation

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Location Based Pay Ranges

• $105,786 - $176,310in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY
• $111,074 - $185,124in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI
• $116,364 - $193,940in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA

• Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short‑term incentives, long‑term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process.

Life at Lumen

Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page . Job‑related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.

Privacy Notice

Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our ApplicantPrivacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data.

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.