Lumen Network Design Engineer V (WAN / Work Package Engineer)

About Lumen

Lumen is the network for AI, transforming how businesses connect, secure, and scale in an AI-driven world. We empower organizations to move faster and unlock what's next by connecting people, data, and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Our culture is built on teamwork, trust, and transparency, providing the flexibility, support, and opportunity to make a lasting impact.

The Role

SAIC seeks a Lumen Network Design Engineer V (WAN / Work Package Engineer) to support the Department of the Air Force C3BM/ABMS program. In this lead Lumen engineering role, you will apply advanced engineering and network principles to solve complex problems and develop/evaluate/implement secure WAN/transport solutions. Embedded with the SAIC mission team, you will translate operational and cybersecurity requirements into implementable field work packages for classified and unclassified environments. Deliverables to the SAIC Chief Engineer and technical engineering include High-Level Designs (HLD)/Low-Level Designs (LLD), design-review packages, diagrams, and, as requested, bills of material and configuration templates.

This is a HYBRID role. Initial work is performed in contractor-provided facilities. The engineer works with SAIC’s Chief Engineer to design secure WAN/transport connectivity and deliver implementation-ready field work packages. Contingent upon contract award expected in Q1.

Main Responsibilities

• WAN Architecture & Design Engineering: Develop WAN/transport design recommendations for mission networks, focusing on site connectivity, segmentation, resiliency, and performance engineering across classified and unclassified enclaves.
• Define Requirements: Define engineering requirements, interfaces, and implementable WAN designs, including L0 circuit configurations and CLLI circuit-route options across CONUS/OCONUS. Optionally address routing, addressing, QoS, encryption, and boundary protection.
• Optimize Transport: Develop optimized WAN transport options using OTN and ITU-T standards (G.709, G.798, G.872). Apply MPLS/IP, Ethernet, VPN/IPsec, SD-WAN, and modern secure access patterns (SASE/SSE) where applicable.
• Propose Work Packages: Propose WAN work package options to SAIC technical leadership for engineering trades before implementation. Deliverables may include HLD/LLD, logical/physical diagrams, IP plans, L0 routing/QoS policies, security boundary requirements, Bill of Materials (BOM)/part lists, rack elevations (as applicable), configuration templates, and interface cut sheets.
• Implementation Support: Support the SAIC Chief Engineer with Method of Procedures (MOPs), implementation plans, cutover schedules, rollback procedures, and test/validation plans. Participate in technical reviews and change control; identify/mitigate risks per work package.
• Solution Recommendation: Recommend optimized WAN solutions for current/long-range planning. Partner with technical leads to select tools/technologies that improve efficiency, reduce cost, and increase customer satisfaction.
• Compliance & Evidence: Create/maintain engineering and compliance evidence (device configuration baselines, DISA STIG notes/checklists, boundary descriptions, diagrams, status reports) to support audits and Risk Management Framework (RMF)/Authority to Operate (ATO).
• Operational Support: Support operational projects and maintenance windows; assist implementation teams during turn-ups, migrations, and service transitions.
• Automation & Standardization: Recommend automation/standardization of repeatable engineering tasks (configuration generation, validation checks, documentation workflows) consistent with program approvals.
• Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot complex hardware/software/network issues (as requested); document problems, root causes, and resolutions; feed lessons learned into package templates and standards.
• Capacity Planning: Support WAN capacity planning across sites/segments (bandwidth, optical/Carrier Ethernet where applicable, routing headroom, power/cooling constraints, lifecycle/EOL).
• Circuit Integration: Support L0 circuit delivery/integration/activation and service migrations: coordinate with providers, validate acceptance criteria, and update as-built documentation.
• Design Documentation: Provide inputs to design review packages; update network drawings (e.g., Visio) and route maps to reflect approved designs and as-built changes.
• Cost Estimation: Develop ROM (Rough Order of Magnitude) estimates and cost models for new sites, routes, and WAN services.
• Operational Support, Provider Coordination, and Documentation: As requested by the PM and/or Chief Engineer, serve as technical liaison among teams to align design intent, circuit turn-up activities, and field execution.
• Tier 3/4 Support: Provide Tier 3/4 troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for WAN/transport issues and recommend corrective actions.
• RMF/ATO Support: Support RMF/ATO by producing required network engineering evidence: diagrams; port/protocol/service documentation; boundary descriptions; STIG checklists/implementation notes; and as-built configurations.
• Briefings: Deliver technical design reviews, implementation-readiness briefings, and mission-impact assessments to the SAIC Chief Engineer and operational teams.

What We Look For in a Candidate

• US Citizenship is required.
• Active TS/SCI or SCI Eligible.
• IAT Level I/II/III Certification.
• Travel is required.
• Education/Experience: BA/BS +17 years; or MS +13 years; or PhD/JD +10 years related experience.
• 14+ years progressive WAN/transport engineering, network architecture, or telecommunications experience, including deployable implementation/job packages.
• Deep Expertise In:
• OTN and ITU-T standards (G.709, G.798, G.872).
• MPLS/IP, Ethernet, VPN/IPsec overlays, and enterprise/carrier WAN design patterns.
• Routing/traffic engineering (BGP, OSPF/ISIS), path control, convergence, SD-WAN and secure connectivity (SASE/SSE), segmentation/policy design, QoS (marking/queuing/shaping), performance engineering, capacity planning.
• Network security, boundary protections, and Zero Trust.
• Field-ready engineering packages (logical/physical diagrams, IP plans, BOMs, config templates, implementation steps, cutover/rollback, test/validation).
• Task/work-order execution support: design reviews, implementation readiness coordination, and design-to-field discrepancy resolution.
• Technical writing/communications: concise engineering documentation and briefings for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Consultative skills: rapport, fact-finding, requirements definition, options/recommendations, follow-through, customer focus; thrives with competing priorities.

Compensation

• Location-Based Pay Ranges:
• $132,232 - $176,310 in 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.
• $138,844 - $185,124 in CO, HI, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, OR, RI.
• $145,456 - $193,940 in 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. Bonus structure details (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) will be discussed during the selection process.