This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Network Architect - Optical based in the United States.
As Director, Network Architect - Optical, you will lead the strategic vision and evolution of large-scale optical transport infrastructure supporting critical connectivity services. This role combines deep technical expertise with executive-level leadership, guiding network architecture initiatives across core, metro, and edge environments. You will drive technology roadmaps, evaluate emerging innovations, and ensure network scalability, resiliency, and operational efficiency. Working closely with engineering, operations, product, security, and executive stakeholders, you will shape the future of optical networking while leading a team of highly skilled architects. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned telecommunications leader who thrives on solving complex infrastructure challenges, influencing technology strategy, and delivering long-term business impact.
Accountabilities:
- Define and maintain the long-term architecture strategy for optical transport, wavelength, and fiber infrastructure environments.
- Develop and execute multi-year technology roadmaps focused on scalability, automation, resiliency, service innovation, and operational excellence.
- Establish architectural standards, governance frameworks, and technical design principles across transport and optical networking domains.
- Lead the evaluation, testing, certification, and deployment readiness of emerging optical technologies and platforms.
- Provide technical leadership for DWDM, ROADM, coherent optics, OTN, carrier transport technologies, and network modernization initiatives.
- Oversee lifecycle planning and infrastructure evolution strategies to support long-term network growth and performance.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of senior and principal network architects while fostering technical excellence and innovation.
- Collaborate with engineering, planning, operations, security, product, and automation teams to align architecture decisions with business objectives.
- Support strategic customer opportunities by providing expert guidance on complex transport and wavelength solutions.
- Build and maintain relationships with key technology vendors and influence future product capabilities aligned with network evolution goals.
- Champion automation-first network architecture principles and support software-driven networking, orchestration, telemetry, and operational efficiency initiatives.
- Participate in industry forums, standards discussions, and technology reviews to remain at the forefront of networking innovation.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- Minimum 12 years of experience in telecommunications, service provider, or network infrastructure environments with significant focus on optical transport architecture.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing senior technical teams, architects, or strategic engineering organizations.
- Expert-level knowledge of DWDM architectures, optical transport networks, wavelength services, coherent optics, and ROADM technologies.
- Strong understanding of OTN, Carrier Ethernet, SONET/SDH, transport protocols, and optical fiber engineering principles.
- Experience designing and evolving large-scale core and metro transport network architectures.
- Proven expertise working with major optical networking vendors and evaluating emerging technologies.
- Demonstrated success developing technology roadmaps, leading infrastructure transformation programs, and managing strategic technology investments.
- Knowledge of network automation, telemetry, software-defined networking, orchestration platforms, and operational automation frameworks.
- Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional leadership capabilities.
- Experience influencing vendor roadmaps, negotiating strategic partnerships, and driving technology adoption initiatives.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to balance innovation, operational efficiency, customer requirements, and business objectives.
- Preferred qualifications include a Master's degree, experience with hyperscale or carrier-grade infrastructure environments, familiarity with IP/MPLS integration, transport security frameworks, and automation technologies such as Python and APIs.
Benefits
- Base salary range of $126,600 - $194,700 USD annually.
- Eligibility for annual incentive or performance-based bonus programs, depending on role classification.
- Remote work opportunity within the United States.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
- Life insurance and disability-related benefits.
- Retirement savings plan with 401(k) options.
- Generous paid time off program.
- Paid parental leave.
- Wellness-focused benefits and employee support programs.
- Opportunity to lead large-scale, mission-critical network architecture initiatives.
- Collaborative and inclusive workplace culture with strong professional growth opportunities.