Senior Planning Engineer

Job Summary

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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. * 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