Lead Network Engineer

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

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Network Engineer to lead the testing, validation, and qualification of Metro Ethernet and optical transport solutions in a lab environment. This role serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Metro Ethernet, transport optics, multi-vendor interoperability, and network performance validation. The ideal candidate will partner with Lumen architects, engineering teams, and technology vendors to validate requirements, ensure compliance with engineering standards, and certify solutions for production deployment. The candidate will be responsible for developing and executing test plans, defining validation methodologies, analyzing test results, and providing technical recommendations to stakeholders. The candidate will also collaborate with automation engineers to develop scalable automated test suites supporting functional, performance, interoperability, and regression testing, while ensuring solutions meet Lumen's quality, reliability, and deployment readiness standards.

This is a hybrid role working part time out of our lab on Zuni St. in Denver, CO.

The Main Responsibilities

• Maniacal focus on a customer obsessed culture with every team member being comfortable being uncomfortable as bold innovations position Lumen for continue industry-firsts
• Be customer obsessed and be vulnerable – be willing to learn from employees and customers to operationalize innovative technologies that deliver the best-connected experience.
• Demonstrated high command for the skills and technology related to Core & Access equipment (OSI model, IP, Routing, Switching, Security, ITU standards, RFCs, etc.)
• Subject Matter Expert level experience with Ethernet, IP Routing, MPLS, BGP, IS-IS, LLDP, Layer 2/3 services, Ethernet Transport, Dark/Grey Fiber.
• Strong testing experience and understanding of Fiber modes & Optical Test methodologies (SMF/MMF/DWDM/CWDM/Dark Fiber/Grey Fiber/SFP/QSFP)
• Experience with API testing, network automation, server deployment, Linux administration, and scripting using Python, PowerShell, and Bash.
• Experience using Spirent, Keysight, Calient, and other carrier-grade network test platforms.
• Able to design & Implement test cases and build test plans
• History of troubleshooting defects to identify a root cause
• Clear and concise communicator, written and verbal
• Understanding of testing methodologies such as Waterfall, Agile, and DevOps
• Atlassian Jira experience

What We Look For in a Candidate

• BS in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or related field required or equivalent work experience
• MS in same fields preferred or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in Computer Networking
• 5+ years of experience in Testing/Troubleshooting
• Extensive experience with Metro Ethernet Networking, IP Routing and Switching, MPLS, 100G/400G optics, DWDM/CWDM
• Experience validating solutions across Cisco, Ciena, Adtran, ADVA, Nokia, Juniper, Axon, and other networking platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of Metro Ethernet architectures including Rings, Aggregators, Concentrators, and Access Networks.
• Thorough experience using Linux/Bash/PowerShell/Python and familiarity with REST APIs and network telemetry
• Knowledgeable in Ethernet and Fiber testing and performance levels.
• Experience leading projects and being a subject matter expert
• Well-versed in test lab operations
• Skilled in troubleshooting
• Ideally have one or more of: CCNA, CCNP, CWNA, CWNP, CCIE, JNCIE, CISSP, CEH, OSCP ACSA, MS certs (Power, Azure, Security)

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

$111,074 - $144,099 in these states: CO

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

#LI-Onsite

What to Expect Next

Requisition #: 343446

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. 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.

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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.

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.