Agentic and Gen AI Architect - Hybrid

Gen AI and Agentic AI Architect

Job ID: 00065790971

Location:Teaneck, NJ or Plano, TX (Hybrid – 2 to 3 days per week in office)

Role Summary

We are seeking a visionary and pragmatic AI Architect to lead the design and implementation of Generative and Agentic AI ecosystems for Cognizant’s strategic clients. This role blends advisory leadership, hands-on solutioning, and practice development to drive enterprise transformation in the AI-first era. You will work closely with C-level stakeholders to define AI strategies, architect scalable platforms, and deliver verticalized AI solutions across industries. This is a high-impact role for a business-savvy technologist passionate about shaping the future of enterprise AI.

Key Responsibilities

· Design and implement modular, cloud-native AI platforms integrating LLMs, SLMs, and multi-agent orchestration. Ensure security, scalability, and compliance with industry standards.

· Lead executive-level engagements to define AI roadmaps and investment strategies. Serve as the anchor architect for major client accounts.

· Deliver tailored AI use cases across verticals such as Banking, Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing, and more.

· Oversee end-to-end model development including data preparation, training, fine-tuning (SFT, RLHF, LoRA), deployment, and optimization.

· Establish enterprise-grade pipelines for CI/CD, monitoring, observability, and compliance. Define governance frameworks for agent lifecycle management.

· Build and lead AI capability squads. Mentor architects and engineers, contribute to hiring strategy, and support succession planning.

· Collaborate with hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, GCP), ISVs, and startups to co-develop offerings and influence partner roadmaps.

· Publish white papers, contribute to patents, and represent Cognizant in executive roundtables and industry forums.

Required Qualifications

· 15+ years in IT and enterprise architecture, with hands-on engineering background (Java/.NET preferred).

· 5+ years in AI/ML, including 1+ year in Generative & Agentic AI.

· Expertise in model training techniques (SFT, RLHF, LoRA/QLoRA), RAG, and evaluation pipelines.

· Architect-level certifications in at least two hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, GCP).

· Deep experience in MLOps/LLMOps, including CI/CD, monitoring, and compliance.

· Proven track record in CxO-level advisory and strategic AI engagements.

· Familiarity with AI governance frameworks (NIST RMF, EU AI Act, Responsible AI).

· Strong leadership experience in mentoring and building cross-functional AI teams.

Preferred Qualifications

· Publications, patents, or open-source contributions in Agentic AI or LLMOps.

· Recognized thought leadership in conferences, panels, or media.

· Deep domain expertise in one or more industries.

· Experience with AgentOps, model evaluation frameworks, and AI observability tools.

Functional Competencies

· Business Acumen

· Consultative Mindset

· Practice Development

· Ecosystem Engagement

· Pragmatic Execution

· Executive Communication & Storytelling

Salary and Other Compensation

Applicants will be accepted till 12/29/2025

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

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

The annual salary for this position will be in the range of $120K-$165K depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

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.

Our strength is built on our ability to work together. Our diverse backgrounds offer different perspectives and new ways of thinking. It encourages lively discussions, creativity, productivity, and helps us build better solutions for our clients. We want someone who thrives in this setting and is inspired to craft meaningful solutions through true collaboration.

If you are content with ambiguity, excited by change, and excel through autonomy, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply Now!

Skills

Amazon Web Services (AWS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Banking Services, Business Skills, C-Level Management, Cloud Computing, Conferences, Continuous Deployment/Delivery, Continuous Integration, Cross-Functional, Data Modeling, Ecosystems, Enterprise Architecture, GCP (Good Clinical Practices), Healthcare, Incentive Programs, Industry Standards, Investment Strategy, Java, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Major Accounts, Manufacturing, Mentoring, Microsoft .NET, Microsoft Windows Azure, Open Source, Patents, Publications, Regulatory Compliance, Retail, Software Engineering, Startup, Stock Purchase Plans, Storytelling, Succession Planning, Thought Leadership, U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Use Cases, White Papers

About the Company

Cognizant

Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant, a member of the NASDAQ-100, is ranked 230 on the Fortune 500 and is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world.

We're driven by a passion to help our clients build stronger, more agile and more innovative businesses.

Cognizant enables global enterprises to address a dual mandate: to make their current operations as efficient and cost-effective as possible and to invest in innovation to unleash new potential across their organizations.

What makes Cognizant unique is our ability to help clients meet both challenges. We help them enhance productivity by ensuring that vital business functions work faster, cheaper and better. And, our ability to conceptualize, architect and implement new and expanded capabilities allows clients to transform legacy models to take their business to the next level.

Company Size

10,000 employees or more

Industry

Computer/IT Services

Founded

1994

Website

https://www.cognizant.com