Principal Architect (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
In a culture built on accountability, trust, and bold thinking, the Principal Architect, Cloud FinOps, plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI-ready connectivity. Working at the intersection of innovation and impact, this leader thrives in an environment where challenging work is embraced, expectations are clear, and meaningful contributions drive lasting value for customers, partners, and the industry.
As the enterprise’s technical authority for FinOps architecture, cloud economics, and financial governance, the Principal Architect leads the design of cost-aware cloud strategies across a complex multi-cloud ecosystem. By combining deep technical expertise with strategic business insight, this individual helps ensure that every cloud investment delivers measurable outcomes while supporting performance, scalability, resiliency, and security.
Partnering closely with Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, Finance, Cloud Platform teams, Strategic Sourcing, Product organizations, and Executive Leadership, the Principal Architect brings people and ideas together to solve complex challenges. Through collaboration and influence, they champion a shared vision of financial accountability and operational excellence across the cloud landscape.
Their impact extends beyond architecture design. By establishing enterprise standards, cloud consumption guardrails, unit economics frameworks, commitment optimization strategies, and migration blueprints, they create a foundation that empowers teams to innovate with confidence. Every decision is guided by a commitment to delivering business value, enabling sustainable growth, and helping the organization stay ahead in an increasingly connected, AI-driven world.
Location
This is a work from home position within the US.
The Main Responsibilities
• Enterprise Architecture
Define and govern multi-cloud architecture standards across Azure, AWS, and GCP. Develop reusable reference architectures, solution patterns, and governance frameworks. Lead architecture reviews for cloud transformation, modernization, and strategic initiatives while embedding financial accountability into design decisions.
• FinOps Leadership
Integrate cost optimization into architecture and engineering practices. Establish cost-aware patterns for compute, storage, networking, AI/ML, Kubernetes, databases, and SaaS platforms. Develop unit economics, chargeback/showback models, cloud costing methodologies, and enterprise FinOps maturity programs.
• Cloud Optimization
Lead application rationalization, cloud migration, and platform modernization efforts. Identify savings through rightsizing, scheduling, architectural improvements, consolidation, and commitment-based discounts. Implement financial guardrails, policy-as-code, and workload placement strategies that improve cost efficiency.
• Governance, Risk & Compliance
Define standards for cloud consumption, tagging, allocation, lifecycle management, and capacity planning. Ensure alignment with security, compliance, operational, and risk management requirements while participating in architecture and FinOps governance forums.
• Automation & Platform Enablement
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