Lumen is the trusted network for AI. We're transforming how businesses connect, secure, and scale in an AI-driven world.
By connecting people, data, and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly, we help organizations move faster and unlock what's next.
At Lumen, people power progress. Our culture is built on teamwork, trust, and transparency, giving you the flexibility, support, and opportunity to make a lasting impact. We're looking for top-tier talent ready to take on the challenge. Join us in building the future.
**The Role**
The Senior Planning Engineer - Metro Core Transport is responsible for end‑to‑end capacity planning, optimization, and network augmentation across Metro Core and local IOF transport networks. This role partners closely with strategic planning, tactical transport, provisioning, construction, and operations teams to ensure the network meets near‑ and long‑term growth, reliability, and performance objectives.
The successful candidate will act as a subject‑matter expert for metro transport architectures, lead complex planning initiatives, and drive data‑driven decisions that support customer demand, capital efficiency, and operational stability across assigned markets.
The Senior Planning Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the metro core transport network remains scalable, reliable, and ready to support customer growth and emerging technologies. This position directly influences service quality, capital effectiveness, and the long‑term health of the network.
**Location**
This is a work from home position within the U.S.
**The Main Responsibilities**
+ Develop and execute Metro Core and local IOF transport capacity plans, including Wave, DWDM, Ethernet/ECN, and HRM‑managed routes.
+ Analyze wave path trending, top‑route utilization, and headroom metrics to proactively initiate augmentations and prevent capacity jeopardies.
+ Initiate and manage MSD tickets and scopes of work for network builds, augments, grooming, decomposition, and optimization activities in partnership with Tactical Metro Transport teams.
+ Support pre‑ and post‑sale network design, FT3 estimating, and complex customer delivery planning across ILEC and CLEC environments.
+ Lead optimization and network simplification efforts, including harvesting, fiber recovery, ring balancing, abandonment of zero‑utilized assets, and cost‑reduction.
+ Maintain and improve Metro Wave Headroom (HRM) compliance, supporting enterprise TID review and jeopardy reduction targets.
+ Partner with Long Haul Strategic Planning and capital teams on market investment strategies, funding requests, forecasting, and long‑range transport architecture alignment.
+ Interface with A&E, Supply Chain, and vendors for equipment forecasting, technology deployment, and build program execution.
+ Serve as a technical mentor and escalation point for planning engineers, providing guidance on complex designs, tools, and planning standards.
+ Support cross‑functional initiatives, urgent planning "fire drills," and evolving network transformation programs impacting Metro Core transport.
+ Requires limited direction and guidance.
**What We Look For in a Candidate**
+ Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Network Architecture, or equivalent professional experience
+ 7+ years of experience in transport network planning, capacity engineering, or large‑scale telecommunications network design
+ Strong working knowledge of DWDM, optical transport, Metro Core architectures, Ethernet/ECN, and HRM‑managed networks
+ Demonstrated experience initiating and managing network build orders, augments, and optimization activities
+ Ability to analyze network performance data, translate trends into actionable capacity plans, and communicate impacts clearly
+ Experience working across cross‑functional teams including planning, provisioning, construction, operations, and vendors
+ Experience supporting large metro markets with high growth and complex transport topologies
+ Familiarity with Wave Path Trending, TID Review processes, FT3 estimating, and E911 or regulatory‑driven planning efforts
+ Experience with network simplification, fiber harvesting, and capital efficiency initiatives
+ Strong written and verbal communication skills suitable for executive‑level updates and technical documentation
**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**
$84,629 - $112,838 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY
$88,860 - $118,480 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI
$93,092 - $124,122 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA
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 (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/benefits-statement)
+ Bonus Structure
\#LI-Remote
\#LI-PB1
Requisition #: 341895
**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 (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/faq) . 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.
**Privacy Notice**
Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data.
To review Lumen's Privacy Notice, please visit:
https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/privacy-notice
**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.
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