Principal Network R&D Architect - Remote

Lumen; Jackson (MS); Remote; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumen is seeking a Principal Architect, Network Research & Development, to lead architectural initiatives for next‑gen network capabilities. You will shape strategy, design reference architectures, and guide experiments across quantum networking, AI infrastructure, edge compute, and security models.

This is an individual contributor role requiring deep credibility across advanced networking domains and executive communication.

Qualifications

• Deep technical expertise in advanced network domains such as optical and transport systems, IP networking, programmable networks, cloud-native infrastructure, automation, AI-enabled infrastructure, edge/distributed compute, security architecture.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and convert uncertainty into structured experiments and options.
• Experience communicating complex concepts to senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to influence across matrixed teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical authority for Network R&D initiatives across emerging network technologies and future capability exploration.
• Evaluate technologies such as quantum networking, post-quantum cryptography, AI infrastructure, autonomous networks, and programmable networks.
• Develop reference architectures, design patterns, and proof-of-concept approaches for future network strategy.
• Lead analysis of vendor and startup opportunities ensuring actionable insights for roadmap decisions.
• Design experiments, pilots, lab validations, and simulations to test feasibility, scalability, and security.

Skills

Network Architecture

Technical Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Executive Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Lumen is seeking a Principal Architect, Network Research & Development, to lead architectural initiatives for next‑gen network capabilities. You will shape strategy, design reference architectures, and guide experiments across quantum networking, AI infrastructure, edge compute, and security models.

This is an individual contributor role requiring deep credibility across advanced networking domains and executive communication.