Remote Principal Architect, Network R&D

Lumen; Montgomery (AL); Remote; USD 152,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Life benefits

Lifestyle benefits

Job summary

Lumen is seeking a Principal Architect, Network Research & Development, to lead architectural direction for future network capabilities. This individual contributor role requires deep expertise across advanced networking, security, and enterprise decision-making, guiding experiments, reference architectures, and collaboration with partners.

The position emphasizes disciplined experimentation, clear guidance on technology adoption, and leadership in technical governance, ensuring alignment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, telecommunications, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in network architecture, engineering, R&D, or related technical discipline.
• Deep technical expertise in optical/transport, IP networking, programmable networks, cloud-native infra, AI-enabled infra, edge computing, security architecture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical authority for Network R&D initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging technologies such as quantum networking, post-quantum cryptography, autonomous networks, AI infrastructure, edge compute, and security capabilities.
• Develop reference architectures, design patterns, proofs of concept, and decision frameworks.
• Lead analysis of vendor and partner opportunities to deliver actionable insights.
• Design experiments, pilots, lab validations, simulations, and assessments for feasibility and scalability.
• Translate findings into architecture implications, risk assessments, and recommendations for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to connect R&D to enterprise priorities and customer needs.
• Identify dependencies, standards implications, and commercialization pathways for validated capabilities.
• Provide thought leadership on future network evolution and governance for R&D work.
• Represent Network R&D in forums, partner discussions, and executive briefings.

Skills

Executive communication

Technical communication

Leadership without authority

Mentorship

Ambiguity tolerance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Lumen is seeking a Principal Architect, Network Research & Development, to lead architectural direction for future network capabilities. This individual contributor role requires deep expertise across advanced networking, security, and enterprise decision-making, guiding experiments, reference architectures, and collaboration with partners.

The position emphasizes disciplined experimentation, clear guidance on technology adoption, and leadership in technical governance, ensuring alignment