Principal Enterprise Network Architect

About Lumen

Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data and applications - quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Together, we are building a culture and company from the people up - committed to teamwork, trust and transparency. People power progress.

We're looking for top-tier talent and offer the flexibility you need to thrive and deliver lasting impact. Join us as we digitally connect the world and shape the future.

The Role

Join us at Lumen on our quest to transform network infrastructure. As the Chief Network Architect, you will be instrumental in molding our state-of-the-art network infrastructure. Be part of our vibrant team and spearhead innovation across our Internet and MPLS Core infrastructures, VPN edge services, and Metro Ethernet technologies.

Location

This is a Work From Home position available from any US-based location.

You must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident / Green Card for consideration.

The Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Innovation : Spearhead strategic programs aimed at optimizing Lumen's Routing and Switching Network footprint. Innovate, evolve, and enhance technologies that fuel revenue growth, boost cost efficiency, and ensure operational simplicity, scalability, and stability.

Teamwork and Communication : Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bolster IP and MPLS infrastructure.

Modernization : Collaborate closely with the Transport and Access Architecture teams. Facilitate the shift from legacy technologies (SONET, TDM, etc.) to contemporary Ethernet, MPLS technologies, and packet-based architectures.

Automation and Programming : Utilize your proficiency in Ansible and Python to automate network processes, simplify configurations, and boost operational efficiency.

Qualifications to excel in this role, you should possess :

Technical Proficiency : A robust background in network architecture, including IP, MPLS, VPNs, and Automation technologies.

Strategic Insight : The capability to conceptualize and implement transformative network strategies.

Team Player : The ability to work across teams to foster innovation and change.

What We Look For in a Candidate

Education and Certification

A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related discipline

CCIE and / or JNCIE certifications are highly preferred

Experience

A 10+ years of experience in Internet, MPLS, Enterprise, and Metro-Ethernet architecture and engineering in large-scale carrier, web-scale, or service-provider networks.

Comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience with IGP, BGP, MPLS, and Multicast protocols, including but not limited to IS-IS, OSPF, Segment Routing, BGP, MP-BGP, M-BGP, RSVP-TE, LDP, PIM, IGMP, M-LDP.

Extensive knowledge in :

Routing and switching platforms; General understanding of the role of silicon, optics, and SERDES in those platforms.

MPLS forwarding and control-plane mechanisms.

VPN concepts such as Layer-3 VPNs, VPLS, EVPN.

Multicast protocols and networks such as PIM, IGMP, Rosen, NG-MCAST.

Design and support of large-scale BGP infrastructures (e.g., multi-tiered route-reflection, Route scales).

Direct experience in designing and supporting large-scale IGP infrastructures (>

1000 nodes).

Direct experience in implementing network infrastructures using merchant silicon platforms.

Experience in design and implementation of Metro-Ethernet technologies and concepts including Ethernet IEEE802.3, OAM, QinQ, Mac-in-Mac / PBB, MEF standards, and service profiles; including the use of MPLS or other technologies to scale carrier-grade Metro-Ethernet infrastructures.

Experience and knowledge in network Automation, Software Defined Networking (SDN), Virtualization, and its underlying concepts such as automation, programmability, and orchestration (Netconf, gNMI, gRPC, Ansible, Python), Abstraction of control and forwarding planes, Network function virtualization (VMs, Docker, Kubernetes), Knowledge of APIs and telemetry.

Demonstrated experience in performing and delivering proof-of-concepts, technical and economic evaluations, and platform selection in support of Internet, Enterprise, and Metro-Ethernet infrastructures.

Provide leadership within the IP and Optical / Transport Architecture groups and across multi-functional organizations.

Strong negotiation skills; direct experience in negotiating large capital, multi-year vendor contracts.

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

$149,084 - $198,779 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

$156,539 - $208,718 in these states : CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$163,993 - $218,657 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 ()

Bonus Structure

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Requisition # : 339028

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 () . 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.

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.

Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.

Application Deadline

11 / 13 / 2025