Applied AI Scientist

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.

Lumen is seeking a highly technical and execution-oriented Applied AI Scientist to design, develop, deploy, and optimize AI-powered solutions that solve meaningful business challenges. In this role, you will partner with business, product, engineering, and technology teams to identify opportunities, rapidly prototype solutions, and deliver production-ready AI capabilities.

You will combine expertise in machine learning, generative AI, software development, and experimentation to create scalable AI systems that improve customer experiences, operational efficiency, and business outcomes. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on builder who enjoys solving complex problems and translating emerging AI technologies into measurable business value.

• Design, develop, and deploy AI and machine learning solutions from proof of concept through production.
• Partner with business and product stakeholders to identify use cases, define objectives, and measure impact.
• Build solutions leveraging machine learning, generative AI, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), NLP, predictive analytics, and agentic workflows.
• Develop and maintain evaluation frameworks to ensure solution quality, accuracy, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering teams to operationalize AI solutions using MLOps and LLMOps best practices.
• Contribute reusable code, tools, models, and frameworks that accelerate AI adoption across the enterprise.
• Stay current on emerging AI technologies and recommend innovative approaches to business challenges.
• Contribute to technical best practices and knowledge sharing across the team.

• 3+ years of experience in applied AI, machine learning, data science, or a related field.
• Experience developing and deploying production AI or machine learning solutions.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, statistics, predictive modeling, experimentation, and analytics.
• Experience building solutions utilizing LLMs, RAG architectures, vector databases, and modern AI frameworks.
• Proficiency in Python and common AI/ML toolsets such as PyTorch, Tensor Flow, Hugging Face, Lang Chain, MLflow, or similar technologies.
• Experience working with cloud platforms and production software environments.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working in cross‑functional agile teams.

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience implementing Responsible AI and AI governance practices.
• Experience supporting enterprise‑scale AI initiatives.
• Contributions to publications, patents, open‑source projects, or professional AI communities.

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…