Remote Senior Lead Architect - AI-Ready Optical Network

Lumen; Columbus (OH); Remote; USD 132,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumen is seeking a Senior Lead Architect to drive AI-ready connectivity across our optical network. This remote US role requires bold thinking, ownership, and the ability to translate emerging technologies into scalable architectural solutions that deliver business impact.

You will shape strategic vision across disciplines, lead complex initiatives, engage with standard bodies, and mentor teams while leveraging SQL and Power BI for data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• DWDM, Coherent Optics, ROADM/Open Line Systems, Optical performance modeling, and network resiliency
• Strong analytical approach to solving problems
• Experience communicating technical solutions from C‑Level to staff
• Has been the technical SME that led a new product into production
• Knowledge in Quantum Encryption, HCF/MCF, APIs
• Participation in at least one standard body

Responsibilities

• Optical Strategist: translate emerging technologies into deployable architecture, standards, vendor requirements, and operational models
• Architectural Recommendations: roadmaps, reference architectures, lifecycle planning, interoperability
• Visionary: foresee a 1–3 year optical network horizon and turn into reality
• Original Mindset: think creatively about solutions
• AI-Enabled Innovation: use AI tools to accelerate research, analytics, documentation, automation, modeling, and decision support
• Standard Bodies Participation: engage in standard bodies to drive initiatives
• Data Mining and Trending Analytics: extract network data and present demands
• Financial Model Derivation: fluent in TCO, ROI, NPV, sensitivity analysis, cost metrics
• Business Case Development: create cases to support designs
• Automation Vision: define automation strategy for Optical Product line

Skills

DWDM

Coherent optics

ROADM/Open Line Systems

Optical performance modeling

Network resiliency

Analytical skills

Executive communication

SQL

Power BI

Standard bodies participation

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/optical/telecomm engineering or 5-7+ years of equivalent experience

MBA or 5-7+ years of financial modeling experience

Tools

SQL

Power BI

Job description

Lumen is seeking a Senior Lead Architect to drive AI-ready connectivity across our optical network. This remote US role requires bold thinking, ownership, and the ability to translate emerging technologies into scalable architectural solutions that deliver business impact.

You will shape strategic vision across disciplines, lead complex initiatives, engage with standard bodies, and mentor teams while leveraging SQL and Power BI for data-driven decisions.