Principal Architect - GenAI/Agentic

About the role

Architecting the Future: Agentic AI & Enterprise Transformation

Join us in shaping the next wave of enterprise innovation through Generative and Agentic AI.

We are seeking a pragmatic futurist and business-savvy technologist to redefine how enterprises operate in the AI-first era. This strategic role is available across Cognizant’s key delivery locations in US.

You will lead the design, adoption, and scaling of Generative and Agentic AI ecosystems for our most strategic clients.

This role blends advisory, hands-on solutioning, and practice-building leadership to ensure AI delivers tangible, industry-specific business outcomes.

In this role, you will:

• Architect & Implement Enterprise AI Ecosystems

Design and implement modular, scalable AI platforms that integrate Large Language Models (LLMs), Small Language Models (SLMs), and multi-agent orchestration. Ensure architectures are cloud-native, secure, and industry-compliant.

• Drive AI Strategy

Serve as the anchor architect for major client accounts. Lead C-level discussions to define AI roadmaps that link technology to measurable business outcomes. Influence long-term investment strategies.

• Industry-Specific AI Solutions

Envision, Design and Deliver verticalized AI use cases across one or more industries, including Banking & Financial Services, Consumer Goods, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare, Insurance, Life Sciences, Logistics, Manufacturing, Media, Retail, Telecom, and Travel & Hospitality.

• Develop, Train & Optimize Models

Lead end-to-end model lifecycle: data preparation, training, fine-tuning, deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. Balance LLM vs. SLM adoption for cost, latency, and performance optimization.

• MLOps & LLMOps Leadership

Establish enterprise standards for MLOps/LLMOps pipelines (CI/CD, monitoring, observability, drift detection, compliance). Build agent lifecycle governance frameworks for scalable, auditable AI systems.

• People Leadership & Practice Building

Mentor and grow a community of architects and engineers. Build capability squads in GenAI/Agentic AI. Shape the company’s AI practice, including skills development, hiring strategy, and succession planning.

• Ecosystem & Partner Engagement

Build and leverage strategic partnerships with hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, GCP), ISVs, and AI startups. Co-develop joint offerings, influence partner roadmaps, and co-sell AI solutions into strategic accounts.

• Innovation & Thought Leadership

Publish white papers, frameworks, and patents. Lead executive roundtables and contribute to the Tech Radar, ensuring the firm shapes the AI conversation in the market.

Work model: Hybrid

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 2-3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Raleigh, NC. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• 15 years in IT & architecture, with clear progression from hands-on engineering (Java/.NET preferred) into enterprise architecture leadership.
• 5 years in AI/ML, with 1 year in Generative & Agentic AI (LLMs, SLMs, multi-agent orchestration).
• Model Training Expertise: Fine-tuning (SFT, RLHF, LoRA/QLoRA), RAG, evaluation pipelines.
• Hyperscaler Certifications: Architect-level expertise in at least two (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• MLOps/LLMOps Mastery: CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, observability, compliance, AI cost governance.
• CxO Advisory: Proven experience leading executive AI strategy discussions with Fortune 500 clients.
• Governance Expertise: Familiar with AI RMF (NIST), EU AI Act, Responsible AI practices.
• People Leadership: Experience mentoring teams and building cross-functional AI capability practices.
• Ecosystem Influence: Track record shaping AI initiatives through partner alliances (hyperscalers, startups, ISVs).

These will help you stand out

Good to have

• Publications, patents, or open-source contributions in Agentic AI, LLMOps, or model compression/distillation.
• Recognized thought leadership (conferences, panels, media interviews).
• Industry domain depth in at least one vertical: Banking & Payments, Consumer Goods, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare, Insurance, Life Science, Logistics, Manufacturing, Media, Retail, Telecom, Travel & Hospitality
• Experience with AgentOps, model evaluation frameworks, and AI observability tooling.

Functional Competencies

• Business Acumen: Identify and execute high-value AI transformations across industries.
• Consultative Mindset: Convert PoCs/PoVs into long-term transformation programs.
• Practice Builder: Mentor, hire, and scale AI architecture talent pools.
• Ecosystem Shaper: Drive co-innovation with hyperscalers, startups, and ISVs.
• Pragmatic Execution: Balance build-vs-buy, deliver under pressure, and navigate enterprise politics.
• Translation & Storytelling: Distill complex AI concepts into clear executive-ready narratives.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*

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Cog2025

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.