Principal Architect, Network Research and Development

What We Look For in a Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, telecommunications, applied science, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in network architecture, network engineering, advanced technology strategy, R&D, product engineering, platform engineering, security architecture, or a related technical discipline.
• Deep technical expertise in one or more advanced network domains such as optical and transport systems, IP networking, programmable networks, cloud-native infrastructure, automation, AI-enabled infrastructure, edge/distributed compute, security architecture, or next-generation access technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate emerging technologies and convert technical uncertainty into structured experiments, architectural options, decision points, and business-relevant recommendations.
• Ability to operate in ambiguity, quickly learn new technical domains, separate signal from noise, and make sound recommendations with incomplete or evolving information.
• Strong executive and technical communication skills, including the ability to explain highly complex concepts to senior leaders, peer architects, engineering teams, vendors, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to influence without direct authority and work effectively across matrixed teams, technical SMEs, external partners, and leadership stakeholders.
• Commitment to disciplined experimentation, including defining hypotheses, success measures, learning milestones, technical constraints, and kill criteria.
• Ability to mentor other technical contributors and help elevate architectural thinking, documentation quality, and technical decision-making across the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience contributing to R&D, innovation, advanced architecture, emerging technology, lab, incubation, or future-state strategy work within a telecommunications, cloud, infrastructure, security, or deep technology environment.
• Exposure to quantum technologies, post-quantum cryptography, QKD, photonics, next-generation fiber, advanced optical systems, AI infrastructure, autonomous networks, digital twins, programmable network architectures, or advanced security models.
• Experience designing or leading technology pilots, proof-of-concepts, simulations, lab validations, vendor co-development efforts, academic collaborations, national lab engagements, standards participation, or startup evaluations.
• Familiarity with horizon planning, stage-gate models, tranche funding, portfolio-based innovation approaches, learning milestones, technical readiness levels, or evidence-based stop/continue decision frameworks.
• Understanding of intellectual property considerations, standards bodies, vendor partnership models, co-development terms, licensing approaches, or commercialization pathways for emerging technology work.
• Experience representing an organization externally with credibility in technical forums, industry groups, partner discussions, vendor briefings, or innovation ecosystems.
• Strong curiosity and external orientation, with a demonstrated ability to connect market signals, technology trends, customer needs, and enterprise strategy into practical architecture recommendations.

Compensation

• #LI-Remote
• Requisition #: 343420

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