Senior Lead Architect — AI-Ready Connectivity Leader

Lumen Technologies; United States; Remote; USD 132,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumen Technologies is seeking a Senior Lead Architect to drive bold architectural decisions for AI-ready connectivity. You will shape multi-disciplinary solutions, influence strategic direction, and lead complex initiatives across the organization.

This role emphasizes delivering scalable designs and tangible business outcomes. The position requires deep expertise in optical networking, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with executives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, optical, or Telecommunication engineering or 5-7+ years of equivalent experience.
• MBA 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 led a new product introduction into production networks.
• 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: include technology roadmaps, reference architectures, lifecycle planning, and interoperability requirements.
• Visionary: envision future optical network over a 1–3-year horizon and implement.
• Original Mindset: challenge conventions to find better ways.
• AI-Enabled Innovation: use AI tools to accelerate research, analytics, automation, and modeling.
• Standard Bodies Participation: engage with IEEE, OIF, Open ROADM, etc., to drive initiatives.
• Data Mining and Trending Analytics: extract network data and present demands.
• Financial Model Derivation: fluent in TCO, ROI, NPV, and cost analyses.
• Business Case Development: build cases to support architectural designs.
• Automation Vision: define automation roadmap for Optical Product line.

Skills

DWDM / Coherent Optics

ROADM/Open Line Systems

Optical performance modeling

Network resiliency

SQL

Power BI

C-Level communication

Analytical problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Optical/Telecommunication Engineering

MBA or 5-7+ years in financial modeling

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Lumen Technologies is seeking a Senior Lead Architect to drive bold architectural decisions for AI-ready connectivity. You will shape multi-disciplinary solutions, influence strategic direction, and lead complex initiatives across the organization.

This role emphasizes delivering scalable designs and tangible business outcomes. The position requires deep expertise in optical networking, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with executives.