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.

About the Role

The Lead Software Developer at Lumen will drive innovation, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. This hands-on role involves designing and delivering high-quality software solutions while identifying opportunities to enhance applications, development practices, and customer experiences. You will provide technical leadership for application development initiatives, contribute to solution architecture and software design decisions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to build scalable, secure, and maintainable enterprise applications. Responsibilities include mentoring developers, championing modern development practices, and ensuring reliable solutions that support business growth and customer success.

This is a work-from-home position based in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, develop, and maintain high-performing, scalable web applications using Node.js and Vue.js.
• Build, optimize, and enhance RESTful APIs and backend microservices to ensure seamless integration across enterprise environments.
• Create responsive, intuitive, and high-performance user interfaces using Vue.js.
• Design and optimize queries and data schemas for relational databases (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL data stores (MongoDB optional).
• Lead automated testing efforts by developing, executing, and maintaining test suites using Playwright and modern unit-testing frameworks.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve complex application performance issues, security vulnerabilities, and system defects.
• Partner closely with systems architects, technical managers, analysts, and project stakeholders to define functional requirements and translate them into reliable software solutions.
• Participate in and lead code reviews, mentor developers, champion modern development practices, and enforce CI/CD and security guidelines.
• Support continuous integration, deployment, configuration, and maintenance activities across development, testing, and production environments.

Requirements

• 10+ years of professional experience with a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education and experience.
• 5+ years of 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

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.

Pay

This position offers a location-based salary range:

• $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.

Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors. Additional information about Lumen’s bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives, and/or sales compensation) will be provided during the selection process.

Benefits

Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of health, life, and voluntary lifestyle benefits, as well as other perks that enhance physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing. Learn more about Lumen's benefits and bonus structure.