Remote Principal Network R&D Architect

Lumen; Santa Fe (NM); Remote; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumen seeks a Principal Architect, Network Research & Development, to lead architectural direction for emerging network technologies and enterprise-scale deployments. You will shape hypotheses, develop reference architectures, and guide experiments across quantum networking, AI infrastructure, edge compute, and secure networks.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex findings into actionable roadmaps, governance, and technical guidance for senior leaders and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, telecommunications, applied science, or a related technical field. Advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in network architecture, engineering, R&D, or related disciplines.
• Deep technical expertise in optical/transport, IP, cloud-native infra, automation, AI infrastructure, edge compute, security architecture, or next‑gen access technologies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical authority for Network R&D initiatives, providing architectural direction across emerging network technologies and future capability exploration.
• Evaluate technologies like quantum networking, post-quantum cryptography, AI infrastructure, autonomous networks, and programmable networks.
• Develop reference architectures, design patterns, proof-of-concept approaches, and decision frameworks for relevance to Lumen’s future network strategy.
• Lead technical analysis of vendor, startup, academic, and open-source opportunities to produce actionable insights.
• Design and guide experiments, pilots, lab validations, simulations, and assessments for feasibility, scalability, and security.

Skills

Architectural leadership

Network architecture

Emerging tech eval

Executive communication

Mentoring

Experimentation governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/CS

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Lumen seeks a Principal Architect, Network Research & Development, to lead architectural direction for emerging network technologies and enterprise-scale deployments. You will shape hypotheses, develop reference architectures, and guide experiments across quantum networking, AI infrastructure, edge compute, and secure networks.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex findings into actionable roadmaps, governance, and technical guidance for senior leaders and