Solution Architect

About Lumen

Lumen is committed to connecting the world and igniting business growth by seamlessly connecting people, data, and applications. Our culture is built on teamwork, trust, and transparency, empowering individuals to thrive and make a lasting impact. Join us in digitally connecting the world and shaping the future.

The Role

We are looking for highly skilled Solution Architects to support customers in designing and implementing large-scale backbone networks. In this vital customer-facing role, you will collaborate with Sales and Customer Success Executives and lead innovative discussions that drive enterprise growth. Your expertise in understanding business needs will help you formulate effective sales strategies and present tailored solutions that deliver real value to our customers.

As a Solution Architect for the Cloud & Technology Group (CTG) segment, you will assess customer objectives through strategic discovery, provide technical leadership, share best practices, and showcase our products that align with each customer’s unique requirements. Your goal is to become a trusted advisor, demonstrating how our offerings enable their digital transformation strategies.

Main Responsibilities

• Demonstrate advanced discovery and solution selling capabilities.
• Design solutions involving high-capacity fiber, wavelength services, data center interconnect, MOFN, IP transit, DIA, NaaS, edge compute, CDN, cloud connectivity, SASE/SD-WAN, and private wireless.
• Create and deliver compelling technical proposals, architectural diagrams, and presentations tailored for varied audiences.
• Provide valuable feedback to product management, sales, and customer success teams about business value and service execution.
• Develop solutions that address customer needs, assess technical requirements, and architect customized solutions showcasing Lumen's unique offerings.
• Train and guide customers, sales, and success teams on the technical aspects of solutions, ensuring they meet customer needs.
• Share customer insights and product feedback with leadership and product management.
• Engage in pre-sales activities, including presentations, architecture discussions, proof-of-concept work, and solution demonstrations, contributing to technical sales strategy development.
• Collaborate with Client Success, Solution Sales, and Product Management to deliver trust-building solutions.

What We Look For in a Candidate

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in technology roles focused on pre-sales, engineering, or consulting.
• B.S. in Computer Science, Engineering, MIS, or equivalent experience in the private sector or military.
• Hands-on experience in solution engineering within cloud, data center, or SaaS environments, with increasing levels of complexity and responsibility.
• A strong foundation in optical networking and an understanding of optical fiber network construction.
• Comprehensive knowledge of hyperscalers, cloud platforms, SaaS environments, and modern infrastructure capacity requirements.
• Experience designing solutions for AI/ML use cases, high-performance workloads, or data-driven architectures.
• Ability to connect customer challenges with technical solutions and communicate the business impact clearly.
• Proficient in leading complex deal discussions and driving solutions alongside sales and customer success teams.
• Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to articulate high-quality solutions to both technical and executive audiences.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the capacity to distill ambiguous needs into actionable requirements and innovative solutions.
• A proactive, consultative approach with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Desired Skills

• Industry certifications in specialized technologies.
• Understanding of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) and fiber optics construction.
• Knowledge of colocation design architecture.
• Familiarity with Cloud & Architecture design and Layer 3 networks.
• Basic understanding of Network Functions Virtualization and security solutions.

Compensation

Details regarding the anticipated base salary for this position are based on national data and may vary by location. Your individual pay will reflect your skills, experience, and relevant factors.

Potential salary ranges include: $115,763 - $154,350, $121,559 - $162,068, and $127,344 - $169,785, depending on your location.

Lumen provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance your physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing. If you have questions about our compensation structure, we can provide information as you move through the selection process.

Background Screening

If selected for a position, a background screen will be conducted that may include checks for criminal records or drug screening, based on position requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunities

Lumen adheres to equal employment opportunity principles, ensuring a fair and inclusive workplace free from discrimination.

Disclaimer

The responsibilities outlined above provide a general overview of the role within our company and may evolve based on business needs.