Verified Job
Engineering - Architecture
Director, Network Architect - Optical
Engineering - Architecture
#55365
Remote / WFH
Zayo Group LLC
Job Description
The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in DWDM and transport technologies, strong leadership capabilities, strategic vendor engagement experience, and a proven track record leading large-scale network architecture initiatives within a carrier or service provider environment.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Architecture Leadership
Define and maintain the long-term architectural vision for Zayo’s optical transport, wavelength, and transport infrastructure.
Lead development of multi-year technology roadmaps supporting scalability, resiliency, automation, service innovation, and operational efficiency.
Establish architectural standards, design principles, and technical governance across optical and transport domains.
Evaluate emerging technologies, market trends, and vendor capabilities to guide strategic investment decisions.
Support integration efforts, providing strategic direction for combined network assets.
Optical & Transport Technology Leadership
Provide executive-level technical leadership across DWDM, ROADM, coherent optics, OTN, fiber optic cable, construction, and transport network evolution initiatives.
Drive architectural direction for core and metro optical transport networks including fixed-grid and flex-grid deployments.
Oversee technology evaluation, lab validation, certification strategy, and first office application activities for new platforms and services.
Lead lifecycle planning and modernization strategies for transport infrastructure and optical platforms.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Lead and mentor a team of network architects focused on optical transport and wavelength technologies.
Partner closely with Network Engineering, Planning, Operations, Product, Security, and Automation teams to align architecture strategy with business priorities.
Support strategic customer opportunities by providing architectural guidance for complex transport and wavelength solutions.
Drive alignment between architecture standards and engineering implementation practices.
Vendor & Industry Engagement
Maintain strategic relationships with key technology suppliers including Ciena, Nokia, Infinera, and related ecosystem partners.
Influence vendor roadmaps and advocate for capabilities aligned to Zayo’s network evolution strategy.
Participate in industry forums, standards discussions, and technology reviews to maintain awareness of emerging innovations and competitive trends.
Network Automation & Innovation
Promote automation-first architecture principles across transport provisioning, assurance, telemetry, and operational workflows.
Support adoption of software-driven networking, orchestration, and network intelligence capabilities.
Collaborate with internal teams to identify opportunities for operational simplification and improved network efficiency.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
Minimum of twelve ( 12) years of experience in telecommunications or service provider environments with deep focus on optical transport and network architecture.
Minimum of five ( 5) years of leadership experience managing senior technical teams, architects, or strategic engineering organizations.
Expert-level knowledge of:
o DWDM and optical transport architectures
o ROADM technologies (fixed and flex-grid)
o Coherent optics and wavelength services
o OTN, Carrier Ethernet, SONET/SDH, and transport protocols
o Optical fiber engineering and transport design principles
o Core and metro transport network architectures
Experience working with optical transport vendors including Ciena, Nokia, and Infinera.
Strong understanding of network automation, network telemetry, and software-driven operational models.
Demonstrated success developing technology roadmaps and leading large-scale infrastructure evolution initiatives and forecasting and managing budgets on key initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or Business Administration.
Experience supporting hyperscale, carrier, or large enterprise optical infrastructure environments.
Familiarity with IP/MPLS transport integration and packet-optical convergence strategies.
Experience with transport network security and resiliency frameworks.
Knowledge of automation and scripting technologies such as Python, APIs, or orchestration platforms.
Leadership Competencies
Strategic thinking and long-range technology planning
Executive communication and stakeholder management
Cross-functional leadership and collaboration
Vendor negotiation and partnership management
Technical mentorship and organizational influence
Innovation and continuous improvement mindset
#LI-MF1
#LI-Remote
Estimated base salary range: $126,600 - $194,700 USD/annually.
The base pay range shown is a guideline and reasonable estimate for this role. It takes into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions. Actual compensation offered may vary from the posted range based upon geographic location, work experience, skill level, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Non- sales roles may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive plan. Sales roles may be eligible to participate in a sales incentive plan.
Additionally, this position may be eligible for certain benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, disability retirement plans, paid time off.
The posting will be active for a minimum of 3 days. The active posting will continue to extend by 3 days until the position is filled.
Benefits, Rewards & Wellness
Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan
Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave
Responsibilities:
Strategic Architecture Leadership
Define and maintain the long-term architectural vision for Zayo’s optical transport, wavelength, and transport infrastructure.
Lead development of multi-year technology roadmaps supporting scalability, resiliency, automation, service innovation, and operational efficiency.
Establish architectural standards, design principles, and technical governance across optical and transport domains.
Evaluate emerging technologies, market trends, and vendor capabilities to guide strategic investment decisions.
Support integration efforts, providing strategic direction for combined network assets.
Optical & Transport Technology Leadership
Provide executive-level technical leadership across DWDM, ROADM, coherent optics, OTN, fiber optic cable, construction, and transport network evolution initiatives.
Drive architectural direction for core and metro optical transport networks including fixed-grid and flex-grid deployments.
Oversee technology evaluation, lab validation, certification strategy, and first office application activities for new platforms and services.
Lead lifecycle planning and modernization strategies for transport infrastructure and optical platforms.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Lead and mentor a team of network architects focused on optical transport and wavelength technologies.
Partner closely with Network Engineering, Planning, Operations, Product, Security, and Automation teams to align architecture strategy with business priorities.
Support strategic customer opportunities by providing architectural guidance for complex transport and wavelength solutions.
Drive alignment between architecture standards and engineering implementation practices.
Vendor & Industry Engagement
Maintain strategic relationships with key technology suppliers including Ciena, Nokia, Infinera, and related ecosystem partners.
Influence vendor roadmaps and advocate for capabilities aligned to Zayo’s network evolution strategy.
Participate in industry forums, standards discussions, and technology reviews to maintain awareness of emerging innovations and competitive trends.
Network Automation & Innovation
Promote automation-first architecture principles across transport provisioning, assurance, telemetry, and operational workflows.
Support adoption of software-driven networking, orchestration, and network intelligence capabilities.
Collaborate with internal teams to identify opportunities for operational simplification and improved network efficiency.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
Minimum of twelve ( 12) years of experience in telecommunications or service provider environments with deep focus on optical transport and network architecture.
Minimum of five ( 5) years of leadership experience managing senior technical teams, architects, or strategic engineering organizations.
Expert-level knowledge of:
o DWDM and optical transport architectures
o ROADM technologies (fixed and flex-grid)
o Coherent optics and wavelength services
o OTN, Carrier Ethernet, SONET/SDH, and transport protocols
o Optical fiber engineering and transport design principles
o Core and metro transport network architectures
Experience working with optical transport vendors including Ciena, Nokia, and Infinera.
Strong understanding of network automation, network telemetry, and software-driven operational models.
Demonstrated success developing technology roadmaps and leading large-scale infrastructure evolution initiatives and forecasting and managing budgets on key initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, or Business Administration.
Experience supporting hyperscale, carrier, or large enterprise optical infrastructure environments.
Familiarity with IP/MPLS transport integration and packet-optical convergence strategies.
Experience with transport network security and resiliency frameworks.
Knowledge of automation and scripting technologies such as Python, APIs, or orchestration platforms.
Leadership Competencies
Strategic thinking and long-range technology planning
Executive communication and stakeholder management
Cross-functional leadership and collaboration
Vendor negotiation and partnership management
Technical mentorship and organizational influence
Innovation and continuous improvement mindset
#LI-MF1
#LI-Remote
Estimated base salary range: $126,600 - $194,700 USD/annually.
The base pay range shown is a guideline and reasonable estimate for this role. It takes into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions. Actual compensation offered may vary from the posted range based upon geographic location, work experience, skill level, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Non- sales roles may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive plan. Sales roles may be eligible to participate in a sales incentive plan.
Additionally, this position may be eligible for certain benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, disability retirement plans, paid time off.
The posting will be active for a minimum of 3 days. The active posting will continue to extend by 3 days until the position is filled.
Benefits, Rewards & Wellness
Excellent Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan
Generous paid time off policy including paid parental leave
