Lead Software Developer

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 seeking a Lead Software Developer who will be a driver of innovation, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a hands-on developer who not only designs and delivers high-quality software solutions but also proactively identifies opportunities to improve applications, development practices, and customer experiences. In this role, you will provide technical leadership for application development initiatives, contribute to solution architecture and software design decisions, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to build scalable, secure, and maintainable enterprise applications. You will mentor developers, champion modern development practices, and help deliver reliable solutions that support business growth and customer success. Working across both frontend and backend layers, you will architect robust RESTful services, manage relational and NoSQL database integrations, and champion automated testing and quality assurance practices across our development lifecycle. Location This is a work from home position from within the US. The Main Responsibilities Architecture & Development: Architect, design, develop, and maintain high-performing, scalable web applications using Node.js and Vue.js . API & Service Integration: Build, optimize, and enhance RESTful APIs and backend microservices to ensure seamless integration across enterprise environments. Frontend Engineering: Create responsive, intuitive, and high-performance user interfaces using Vue.js. Database Management: Design and optimize queries and data schemas for relational databases ( PostgreSQL ) and NoSQL data stores ( MongoDB optional). Testing & Quality Assurance: Lead automated testing efforts by developing, executing, and maintaining test suites using Playwright (and modern unit-testing frameworks). Technical Leadership & Debugging: Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve complex application performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and system defects. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with systems architects, technical managers, analysts, and project stakeholders to define functional requirements and translate them into reliable software solutions. Standards & Best Practices: Participate in and lead code reviews, mentor developers, champion modern development practices, and enforce CI/CD and security guidelines. Deployment & Operations: Support continuous integration, deployment, configuration, and maintenance activities across development, testing, and production environments. What We Look For in a Candidate 10+ years professional experience with a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education and experience 5+ years professional experience with a Master's Degree or equivalent education and experience Proven expertise building backend applications and microservices using Node.js . Strong hands-on proficiency in building modern frontend single-page applications using Vue.js . Experience leveraging AI coding assistants to improve development productivity while maintaining code quality and security standards. Extensive experience designing, building, and consuming RESTful web services. Strong working knowledge of relational databases ( PostgreSQL ). Experience with automated test execution and frameworks, including Playwright . Deep understanding of JavaScript/TypeScript, asynchronous programming patterns, and modern web application architecture. Hands-on proficiency with Git version control systems and collaborative git-flow processes. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with Microsoft Azure cloud services and serverless architectures. Hands-on experience with containerization ( Docker , Kubernetes ) and CI/CD automation pipelines. Familiarity with Java and NoSQL environments (e.g., MongoDB). Knowledge of web application security best practices, OAuth/JWT authentication, and enterprise access governance. Security & Clearance Requirement: GSA Suitability: Preference will be given to candidates who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) eligible to successfully complete and maintain a GSA suitability 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 $105,786 - $141,047 in these states: 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 $111,074 - $148,099 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI $116,364 - $155,152 in these states: 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 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 Bonus Structure #LI-Remote Requisition #: 343130 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: https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/life-at-lumen 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: https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/privacy-notice 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.