Director, Network Architect - Optical

Zayo Group•Remote - OK, OK

3d•$126,600 - $194,700•Remote

About The Position

The Director, Network Architecture – Optical is responsible for defining and driving the strategic architecture, technical standards, and technology roadmap for Zayo’s optical transport and wavelength networks across core, metro, and edge environments. This role leads a team of senior and principal network architects responsible for evaluating, certifying, and evolving transport technologies supporting Zayo’s optical service portfolio and fiber infrastructure. The Director will partner closely with Engineering, Planning, Operations, Product, Security, and executive leadership to ensure the network architecture aligns with business objectives, operational scalability, customer requirements, and long-term technology evolution. 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.

Requirements

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: DWDM and optical transport architectures, ROADM technologies (fixed and flex-grid), Coherent optics and wavelength services, OTN, Carrier Ethernet, SONET/SDH, and transport protocols, Optical fiber engineering and transport design principles, 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.

Nice To Haves

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.
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

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.