Principal Technical Consultant

This is a full-time onsite role based in the location(s) posted and is performed from the designated work location five days per week. No relocation is offered. High Capacity Fiber and Optical Networking Solutions AI is transforming how the world works, and every model, data center, and cloud platform behind it requires enormous network capacity. Join a growing team that partners with the world's leading technology companies to deliver the high-capacity network solutions their AI infrastructure depends on. As a Principal Technical Consultant in the AT&T Technology Sector, you'll be AT&T's lead customer-facing technical expert, designing high-capacity fiber solutions for the fast-growing needs of the world's largest AI and compute infrastructures. Your focus will span wavelength and managed optical services, DWDM, optical transport network (OTN), Carrier Ethernet, dark fiber, and data center interconnect (DCI). From discovery through proposal and delivery handoff, you'll work with sales, product, engineering, network, and delivery teams to shape the solution, make the case for AT&T, and help close the deal. This individual-contributor role suits a networking expert with deep fiber and optical infrastructure knowledge who is comfortable leading customer technical engagements and raising the bar for the team.

What you'll do

• Capture the AI infrastructure opportunity: Serve as the technical lead on pursuits for optical transport, wavelength, Ethernet, dark fiber, and DCI solutions that meet AI-driven network demand.
• Lead discovery and technical workshops: Assess feasibility early by translating bandwidth, locations, diversity, service dates, and growth needs into network requirements, including capacity, latency, route diversity, resiliency, and interfaces.
• Design high-capacity fiber solutions: Architect optical transport, wavelength, Ethernet, Managed Optical Fiber Networks, DCI, and dark fiber solutions. Evaluate existing fiber and capacity, route alternatives, and new-build needs, and compare the technical and economic trade-offs among dark fiber, wavelengths, Ethernet, and managed transport.
• Develop proposals and recommendations: Create architecture diagrams, technical proposals, proactive proposals, and RFP responses with clear assumptions, risks, timelines, and cost or ROI inputs. Present recommendations to engineering, business, and executive stakeholders.
• Make the complex simple: Simplify complex technology for executives while maintaining credibility with network architects.
• Manage risks, escalations, and handoff: Partner with sales, product, construction and engineering, operations, and delivery teams. Identify technical and implementation risks, support high-priority escalations, and ensure an effective post-sale handoff.
• Scale what works: Create reusable solution patterns, mentor other technical-sales professionals, and bring recurring customer needs and emerging demand patterns into product and network plans.

What you'll bring

• Typically 8+ years of relevant network-infrastructure experience, including significant customer-facing work in solutions architecture, sales engineering, consulting, or technical presales, supporting large, complex opportunities.
• Extensive experience with optical transport or fiber-based network solutions, with strong knowledge of DWDM, wavelength services, OTN, and Carrier Ethernet.
• Understanding of optical link budgets, fiber loss, amplification, regeneration, protection, and route diversity.
• Experience with high-capacity metro, long-haul, or DCI architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead discovery, develop proposals, and explain complex designs to technical and business audiences, with strong consultation and cross-functional collaboration skills, and supporting implementation across customer and internal stakeholder groups.
• Sound judgment on solution cost, feasibility, risk, and customer outcomes, with strong problem-solving and data-driven decision-making under changing conditions.
• A proactive, action-oriented mindset, with a proven ability to influence buying decisions, shape opportunities, and contribute to revenue growth.
• Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in a relevant field or equivalent practical experience.

How you'll work

• Start with the customer: Use customer needs and market demand to guide solution priorities and deliver meaningful value.
• Move with speed and purpose: Focus effort on high-value outcomes, simplify decisions, and act with appropriate urgency.
• Challenge and improve relentlessly: Question assumptions and improve solutions, processes, and customer outcomes.
• Strengthen the team: Share knowledge, collaborate across functions, and help colleagues perform at their best.

Supervisor: No

Ready to take the next step?

Apply today and help build the network behind the AI era. Our Principal Technical Consultant jobs earn between $174,100.00 - $279,800.00 USD Annual. Not to mention all the other amazing rewards that working at AT&T offers. Individual starting salary within this range may depend on geography, experience, expertise, and education/training. Joining our team comes with amazing perks and benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Paid Time Off and Holidays (based on date of hire, at least 23 days of vacation each year and 9 company-designated holidays)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Caregiver Leave
• Additional sick leave beyond what state and local law require may be available but is unprotected
• Adoption Reimbursement
• Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
• Life and Accidental Death Insurance
• Supplemental benefit programs: critical illness/accident hospital indemnity/group legal
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Extensive employee wellness programs
• Employee discounts up to 50% off on eligible AT&T mobility plans and accessories, AT&T internet (and fiber where available) and AT&T phone

Weekly Hours: 40 Time Type: Regular Location: Bellevue, Washington, Denver, Colorado, Los Angeles, California, Pleasanton, California, Sacramento, California, San Diego, California, San Francisco, California, San Jose, California Salary Range: $174,100.00 - $279,800.00 AT&T and its subsidiaries are committed to equal employment opportunity. All hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions remain merit-based and free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. In addition, AT&T will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. AT&T is a fair chance employer and does not initiate a background check until an offer is made. Click here to learn more or request an application accommodation here.