Lumen is the trusted network for AI. We’re transforming how businesses connect, secure, and scale in an AI-driven world.
By connecting people, data, and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly, we help organizations move faster and unlock what’s next.
At Lumen, people power progress. Our culture is built on teamwork, trust, and transparency, giving you the flexibility, support, and opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’re looking for top-tier talent ready to take on the challenge. Join us in building the future.
The Role
The Senior Lead Solution Architect role will work in partnership with the Business Units, leading innovative conversations that help shape the growth of our business. The successful Solution Architect must have a strong desire to leverage their technical and communication skills, including business acumen, to understand business requirements, develop a technical architecture, and effectively present solutions that address our business partner’s requirements and provide business value.
Location
This is a work from home position within the US.
The Main Responsibilities
Standard Architecture Patterns, Blueprints, and Cost Profiles (Core Accountability)
Define, publish, and maintain approved cloud and application architecture patterns/blueprints, including
Platform and landingzone patterns
Application and domain reference architectures
Data, integration, and workload patterns
Pair each pattern with explicit cost models, including
Baseline and scalable cost assumptions
Key cost drivers and levers
Expected unit economics where applicableEnsure architecture patterns enable rapid delivery, consistency, and predictable financial outcomes across teams.
Continuously evolve patterns to reflect new cloud services, pricing models, and optimization opportunities. Shape
Embed cost awareness into architecture from the earliest design stages, treating cost as a firstclass architectural quality attribute.
Apply FinOps principles to ensure architecture decisions support:
Accurate forecasting and budgeting
Partner with engineering teams to design solutions that align workload characteristics to the most costeffective architectural options.
Support commitmentbased strategies (e.g., savings plans, reservations) through standardized, predictable architecture choices. Shape
Participate in and influence architecture governance and review processes to ensure cost, value, and financial impact are evaluated alongside technical considerations.
Create decision artifacts (architecture options, cost comparisons, tradeoff analyses) that enable leadership to make informed technology investment decisions. Promote adoption of standard patterns through enablement, documentation, and direct
What We Look For in a Candidate
10+ years of experience in cloud, platform, and application architecture, with demonstrated senior level ownership and influence.
Proven experience designing and governing enterprisescale, multi cloud architectures across both platform and application layers.
Strong expertise in cost aware architecture, cloud economics, and applying FinOps concepts in real world delivery.
Demonstrated ability to define and drive adoption of standard architecture patterns and reference architectures.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence senior technical and business stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications & Certifications
Cloud Architect – Professional level certifications, such as:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
Experience working closely with Enterprise Architecture, Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE), or Architecture Review Boards.
Exposure to largescale cloud financial management, forecasting, and optimization initiatives.
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
$132,232 - $176,310 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
$138,844 - $185,124 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI
$145,456 - $193,940 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:BenefitsBonus Structure
Requisition #: 341616
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.
Privacy Notice
Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data.
To review Lumen’s 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.