Principal Software 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 Bring classically trained, broad software architecture expertise to the Digital Journey Architecture and Solutions team. DJAS architects have developed deep knowledge of Lumen's systems through years of embedded work - this role brings the architectural discipline, patterns, and methodologies that complement that institutional depth. The Principal Software Architect raises the architectural quality bar across DJAS's design work by bringing formal architecture practices, modern system design patterns, and a perspective that isn't shaped entirely by how things have been done at Lumen. This is not a domain specialist role. The value is breadth, discipline, and the ability to apply proven architectural principles to complex, multi-system problems - including the emerging domain of AI-augmented and agentic systems. Location This is a remote opportunity open to candidates located anywhere in the U.S. The Main Responsibilities Apply proven software architecture principles to DJAS design work: microservices, event-driven patterns, distributed systems, API-first design, domain-driven design Lead architecture design sessions and design reviews - challenge assumptions, surface tradeoffs, ensure solutions address NFRs (performance, reliability, scalability, observability, security) from the start Produce high-quality architecture artifacts: solution designs, ADRs, integration specifications, architecture standards Define architecture governance practices: what makes a design "good enough to ship" vs what needs more work; codify standards the team applies consistently Evaluate and adopt modern architecture patterns and methodologies - not just what Lumen has done, but what the broader engineering discipline has learned Apply AI-augmented engineering practices: LLM-assisted design, agentic workflow architecture, integrating AI capabilities into system designs safely and observably Architect for operational excellence: observability-first design, chaos engineering readiness, runbook-aligned failure handling Bridge the gap between architecture and implementation: stay present through delivery, validate that what gets built matches the design intent, surface gaps early Mentor architects and engineers on architecture fundamentals, design patterns, and how to think about system design rigorously Partner with cloud, IAM/security, and domain architects to ensure cross-cutting concerns are addressed coherently across DJAS's portfolio Challenge technical debt patterns where they emerge in designs - not to block delivery, but to ensure the team is making conscious choices What We Look For in a Candidate Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field with 12+ years of software architecture experience or Master's degree with 10+ years of software architecture experience AI-first practitioner - actively integrates AI tools (LLMs, coding assistants, AI-powered analysis and design tools) as a routine part of architecture and engineering work, not as an occasional experiment. Candidates must demonstrate specific, current examples of how AI has meaningfully accelerated or improved their work. Classically trained software architecture background: formal education or structured architecture practice exposure (not exclusively developed through a single company's environment) Deep expertise in distributed systems: microservices, event-driven architecture, saga patterns, CQRS, async messaging API design authority: REST, gRPC, GraphQL - knows when to use each, how to version, how to govern Domain-driven design (DDD) and bounded context modeling Non-functional requirements design: performance engineering, reliability patterns (circuit breakers, bulkheads, retries), scalability modeling Observability architecture: OpenTelemetry instrumentation, metrics design, distributed tracing, alerting standards Security architecture integration: threat modeling, secure design patterns, data classification in architecture Strong written and verbal communication: can produce ADRs and solution designs that are clear, precise, and decision-quality Track record of delivered production systems - not just designs, but architectures that were built and operated Preferr