Senior Manager Network Engineering, Lab Infrastructure and Test Engineering

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

As a Senior Manager, Network Engineering (Lab & Test), you will lead a team responsible for designing, building, and operating large-scale physical lab environments and test infrastructure that support network platform development, validation, and deployment. Your team will enable engineering and product organizations to test and validate critical systems through robust, production-representative lab environments. This role requires deep expertise in network hardware, lab environments, and hands-on systems integration, combined with strong leadership and operational excellence.

Location

This is a hybrid opportunity requiring onsite presence in Denver, CO

The Main Responsibilities

Lead a team of engineers responsible for lab design, build-out, and ongoing operation of network and systems test environments

Own hardware lifecycle management, including procurement, installation, inventory, and decommissioning of lab equipment

Design and maintain production-representative test environments across IP networks, optical systems, and compute platforms

Lead system integration testing, validation, and certification efforts for new platforms, upgrades, and infrastructure changes

Oversee fixed access and broadband device testing for xDSL, GPON, XGS-PON, G.Fast, G.hn, DSLAMs, OLTs, ONTs, SmartNID, residential gateways, and related hardware/software solutions

Drive manual and automated test execution, results tracking, defect identification, and validation processes to support high-quality broadband and high-speed internet services

Lead Proof of Concept, Development, and QA testing of next-generation access initiatives, including enterprise NID solutions, Digital Twin/RTO requirements, Ops Cloud enablement, and broader network modernization efforts

Partner with engineering teams to ensure test coverage, reliability, and repeatability across lab environments

Drive lab reliability, capacity planning, and resource allocation across multiple teams and programs

Establish and enforce lab governance, standards, and operational processes

Simplify complex engineering and testing workflows into scalable operational models

Partner cross-functionally with product, engineering, and operations to align on testing priorities and timelines

Develop talent and build a culture of accountability, ownership, and technical excellence

What We Look For in a Candidate

Bachelors degree in a relevant field (cloud engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, etc.)

10+ years of experience in network engineering, systems engineering, or lab/test environments

Deep expertise in:

IP networking and routing architectures

Network hardware (routers, switches, optical systems)

Linux systems and infrastructure

Strong experience with:

Lab environments (design, operations, and troubleshooting)

Hardware integration and system-level testing

Network validation and test frameworks

Ability to translate complex technical environments into clear operational and business decisions

Strong leadership experience managing engineering teams in hands-on infrastructure environments

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with large-scale test labs or data center environments

Familiar with Keysight, Spirent, Ixia, TraceSpan, Viavi equipment

Exposure to network certification, interoperability testing, or QA programs

Familiarity with automation tools (Ansible, Python) for lab management

Strong problem-solving skills in highly complex, hardware-centric environments

Proven ability to operate in fast-paced, high-change engineering organizations

Compensation

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Location Based Pay Ranges

$138,844 - $185,124 in these states: CO

Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process.

Learn more about Lumen's:

Benefits

Bonus Structure

Requisition #: 342735

Life at Lumen

Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.

To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit:

Background Screening

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page. Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Equal Employment Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.

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To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit:

Disclaimer

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.