Senior Lead Architect

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