Senior Lead Architect

Lumen; Montpelier (VT); Remote; USD 132,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work within US

Job summary

Lumen in the US is seeking a Senior Lead Architect to shape the future of AI-ready connectivity. You will translate emerging technologies into scalable architectural solutions, lead cross‑functional teams, and drive business outcomes across the Optical Product line.

This remote role emphasizes trust, bold ideas, and accountability. You will engage with standards bodies, perform data-driven analyses, and develop compelling business cases to accelerate innovation and value for customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, optical, or Telecommunication engineering or 5-7+ years of equivalent experience.
• MBA or 5-7+ years in financial modeling.
• Fluent in 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 entry level employees.
• Has led a new product introduction into production network.
• Strong data extraction and analytic skills using SQL and Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Translate emerging technologies into deployable architecture, standards, vendor requirements, and operational models.
• Provide technology roadmaps, reference architectures, lifecycle planning, and interoperability requirements.
• Envision future optical networks on 1–3 year horizon and implement them.
• Think innovatively to improve solutions and outcomes.
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate research, analytics, documentation, automation, and modeling.
• Engage in standard bodies (MSA, IEEE, OIF, Open ROADM) to advance initiatives.
• Mine data and analyze trends to inform network demands.
• Derive business value using TCO, ROI, NPV and forecasting.
• Develop business cases to support architectural decisions.
• Create an automation vision for the Optical Product line.

Skills

Analytical skills

Executive communication

Technical SME

Data extraction

DWDM / Coherent optics

ROADM / Open Line Systems

Optical performance modeling

Network resiliency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/optical/telecom engineering

MBA or 5-7+ years in financial modeling

Tools

SQL

Power BI

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

Imagine joining a team where the first day begins with a challenge that matters. The Senior Lead Architect is trusted to think boldly, take ownership, and bring fresh ideas to problems that shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity. In this high-accountability environment, innovation is not just encouraged—it is expected. Leaders provide clarity, teammates offer trust, and every contribution has a visible impact on customers, partners, and the industry.

As the Senior Lead Architect’s influence grows, so does the opportunity to lead. They help shape the organization’s strategic vision, connecting diverse ideas into architectural solutions that drive business outcomes. Colleagues across the company seek the Senior Lead Architect’s expertise to solve unique and complex challenges, recognizing their ability to see beyond immediate requirements and create scalable, future‑focused designs.

Over time, the Senior Lead Architect becomes a catalyst for transformation, leading highly complex initiatives that span multiple disciplines and business units. Their work creates meaningful impact, advances innovation, and helps define what comes next. If you are motivated by challenging work, empowered by trust, and inspired by the opportunity to make a lasting difference, this is where your story can begin.

Location

This is a work from home position within the US.

The Main Responsibilities

• Optical Strategist: translate emerging technologies into deployable architecture, standards, vendor requirements, and operational models

• Architectural Recommendations: include technology roadmaps, reference architectures, lifecycle planning, and interoperability requirements.

• Visionary: Envision future optical network over a 1–3-year horizon and turn them into reality

• Original Mindset: Think, how can we do this?

• AI-Enabled Innovation: Use AI tools to accelerate research, network analytics, documentation, automation, modeling, and decision support.

• Standard Bodies Participation: Engage in standard bodies such as an MSA, IEEE, OIF, Open ROADM, etc., to drive Lumen’s initiatives

• Data Mining and Trending Analytics: Utilize strong data mining skills to extract network data and present current and trending demands

• Financial Model Derivation: Fluent in TCO, ROI, NPV, sensitivity analysis, marginal cost, long‑run average cost, capital efficiency, and demand‑based forecasting.

• Business Case Development: Develop business cases to support architectural designs and decisions

• Automation Vision: Create an automation vision for the Optical Product line

What We Look For in a Candidate

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, optical, or Telecommunication engineering, or 5-7+ years of equivalent experience and training.

• Master of Business Administration, or 5-7+ Years of equivalent experience in financial modeling

• Fluent in 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 entry level employees

• Has been the technical subject matter expert that has successfully led a new Product introduction into the production network

• Strong data extraction and analytic skills using tools like SQL and Power BIPreferred Qualifications:

• Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge in the following areas: Quantum Encryption, HCF/MCF, APIs

• Participation in at least one standard body

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

$132,232 - $176,310 in 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

$138,844 - $185,124 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$145,456 - $193,940 in 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.

Learn more about Lumen's:

Benefits (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/benefits-statement)

Bonus Structure

#LI-Remote

Requisition #: 342899

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.

To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit:

https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/life-at-lumen

Background Screening

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 (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/faq) . 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.

Equal Employment Opportunities

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 Applicant Privacy 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.

To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit:

https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/privacy-notice

Disclaimer

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.