Director of Metro Ethernet Engineering (Remote, US)

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

The Director of Metro Ethernet Engineering leads engineering, certification, deployment readiness, and lifecycle management for Lumen's Metro Ethernet platforms and services. This role translates approved network architecture into deployable engineering standards, validated configurations, implementation processes, operational tooling, and production-ready service offerings.

This leader manages a team of network engineers responsible for Metro Ethernet, PacketOptical networks and related operational ecosystems. The position serves as the primary engineering liaison between Network Architecture, Product, Planning, Operations, Systems Development, Testing, Service Delivery, and vendor partners. Responsibilities include technology qualification, hardware and software certification, service introduction, roadmap prioritization, risk management, operational readiness, and strategic investment planning for Metro Ethernet network evolution.

This role requires a strong, values-driven leader who builds trust, fosters teamwork, communicates with clarity and transparency, and keeps teams focused on customers and shared outcomes. The Director must translate complex technical strategy into clear direction, engage stakeholders across functions, develop talent, model accountability, and lead a high-performing engineering team through change, ambiguity, and transformation.

Location

This is a remote opportunity open to candidates located anywhere in the U.S.

The Main Responsibilities

- Lead and develop a high-performing Metro Ethernet engineering team responsible for network technologies, platforms, service readiness, deployment standards, and lifecycle execution.

- Provide technical leadership across Metro Ethernet, Packet Optical networks, MetRON, colorless networking, NID platforms, Ethernet services, coherent optics, routing, switching, and related access technologies.

- Direct certification, qualification, interoperability testing, and production readiness for new hardware, software releases, optics, platforms, and network capabilities.

- Own engineering execution of Metro Ethernet roadmap initiatives, including MetRON deployment, Metro 3.0 enhancements, Ethernet Fabric services, service automation, and next-generation access capabilities.

- Translate architecture and strategy into engineering work packages, implementation plans, operational deliverables, standards, and repeatable deployment practices.

- Partner across Architecture, Product, Planning, Operations, Systems Development, Testing, Service Delivery, and vendors to align priorities, resolve dependencies, and deliver customer-centered outcomes.

- Serve as an engineering escalation leader for complex production issues, deployment challenges, technology limitations, and service-impacting events.

- Build trust, communicate with clarity and transparency, foster teamwork and accountability, develop talent, and lead teams effectively through change, ambiguity, and transformation.

What We Look For in a Candidate

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, or related discipline.

- 10+ years of telecommunications or network engineering experience, including deep