Lead IT Systems Engineer - Public Sector

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

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 This is a highly technical and hands-on position requiring the selected candidate to both lead and participate in multiple team environments and to provide independent efforts to all aspects of system integration including design, analysis, design review, testing, implementation, and validation. The candidate should be a self-starter and can work independently with little to no supervision.

The Main Responsibilities

• The candidate will have demonstrated knowledge and experience in system architecture and engineering disciplines. Specific technical knowledge of enterprise level networking and network security.
• Recommends optimized solutions to support current and long-range planning and collaborates with project team leads in the selection, recommendation and approvals of tools and technologies to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.
• Monitor, analyze, and resolve incidents for infrastructure running in Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services.
• Deploy, configure, and administer systems in Google Cloud Platform.
• Support and troubleshoot Kubernetes clusters and containers.
• Support, troubleshoot, and optimize Docker containers and containerized applications across development, test, and production environments.
• Designs requirements-based technical solutions in support of new projects and assists with transition of the solution and design into production.
• Evaluate, Build, Integrate, Test and Prepare systems for operational use and patches for rapid remediation and deployment.
• Install new/rebuild existing systems and configure hardware, peripherals, settings, directories, storage, etc. in accordance with standards and project/operational requirements.
• Experienced with automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef
• Gather and analyze metrics and customer feedback to formulate system requirements.
• Evaluates and recommends future technologies and methodologies that will enhance future capabilities.
• Develop and execute test plans and procedures based upon system security and functional requirements.
• Analyzes, develops, recommends, implements, and supports innovative, cost effective IPS/IDS protection systems.
• Experience with scripting and automation using Bash, Python, or similar scripting languages to automate system administration, deployment, and operational tasks
• Operational knowledge of system products like VMware vSphere ESXi, Virtual Center, Elasticsearch, Postgres, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services.
• Supports due diligence activities including site surveys, design, design review, bill of materials creation, statement of work creation, vendor negotiation and coordination, proposal generation, and proposal delivery.
• Maintain existing applications by fixing, upgrading, and adding functionality as needed.
• Quickly develop new applications as the need arises. These applications should follow appropriate best practices.
• Assess existing applications for deficiencies such as slow performance and use of deprecated dependencies and come up with a plan for resolving.
• Keep existing applications current with the version of the programming language and releases.
• Perform application testing to ensure that new features work or that fixes have not caused any regression.
• Mentor teammates by helping them learn new technologies where needed.
• Provide rapid operational support, troubleshooting, and resolution to production equipment.

What We Look For in a Candidate

What We Look for in a Candidate

• 5+ years of current Linux systems engineering experience (RHEL, Rocky)
• 3+ years of Kubernetes experience to include developing helm charts and deploying applications on Kubernetes.
• 3+ years with Google Cloud Platform or Amazon Web Services
• 5+ years Docker experience to include deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Docker containers
• 3+ years with automation in Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.
• Knowledge and experience should include computer network operations, network access and protection techniques and technologies, security, encryption, and cross domain solutions
• Available 24/7 for Network Outages and Maintenance window work.
• Ability to work with coworkers and customers to troubleshoot technical problems
• Ability to travel
• Hybrid role where the candidate will need to be onsite once a week

Candidate must be a US Citizen with an active Department of Defense TOP SECRET clearance

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

$116,364 - $155,152 in these states: MD

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

LI-Remote

Requisition #: 342579

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.

Privacy Notice

Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant 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 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.