Principal Architect
About the role
As a Principal Architect, Forward-Deployed Engineering, you will make an impact by defining and driving the enterprise architecture strategy that enables large-scale data, AI, and digital transformation outcomes. You will be a valued member of the Data & AI organization and work collaboratively with executive stakeholders, architects, engineering teams, and business leaders to establish a scalable, governed, and outcome-driven Enterprise Data Foundation that delivers measurable business value.
This is a highly influential leadership role responsible for translating executive vision into enterprise architecture, modernization roadmaps, AI-enabled platforms, and operational excellence initiatives. The successful candidate will serve as the primary technical authority across the enterprise and help shape the future of data and AI capabilities at scale.
In this role, you will:
- Define and evolve the enterprise architecture strategy and target-state Data Foundation roadmap, ensuring alignment to business objectives and transformation priorities.
- Lead architecture decisions across enterprise data platforms, governance frameworks, AI-enabled solutions, and modern data ecosystems.
- Partner with executive stakeholders to translate architecture investments into tangible business outcomes, operational efficiencies, and strategic value.
- Establish architecture governance standards, review processes, and enterprise-wide best practices that drive consistency, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
- Mentor architects and engineering leaders while advancing a forward-deployed engineering culture focused on ownership, delivery excellence, and measurable outcomes.
Work model
At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible and support a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs. Based on this role's business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring work in a Cognizant or client office in Plano, TX.
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 of experience in enterprise data, analytics, AI, cloud, or technology architecture roles.
- 5+ years of experience serving as a Principal Architect, Enterprise Architect, Distinguished Architect, or comparable enterprise leadership position.
- Proven track record designing and implementing enterprise-scale data foundations, modernization programs, or AI-enabled platforms within large organizations.
- Experience driving enterprise architecture strategy, governance, standards, and technology roadmaps.
- Deep expertise in modern cloud data platforms, data governance, metadata management, and enterprise architecture principles.
- Experience leading large-scale modernization initiatives involving legacy platform transformation, cloud migration, and business-critical technology programs.
- Demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and communicate complex technology strategies to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong leadership skills with experience mentoring architects, engineering teams, and technical leaders.
These will help you stand out
- Experience within Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Retail, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or similar enterprise industries.
- Expertise with Databricks Lakehouse architecture, Unity Catalog, Delta Live Tables, Mosaic AI, and related data platform technologies.
- Experience designing and governing enterprise AI, agentic AI, and multi-agent orchestration platforms.
- Strong understanding of FinOps, cloud cost optimization, enterprise data governance, lineage, and data quality frameworks.
- Experience evaluating build-versus-buy decisions and managing strategic technology partnerships.
- Ability to translate architecture decisions into business value, ROI, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation outcomes.
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.
Salary and Other Compensation:
Applications will be accepted until August 21, 2026
The annual salary for this position is between $145,000- $170,000 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.
コグニザントについて
コグニザント（NASDAQ: CTSH）は、AI Builderおよびテクノロジーサービスプロバイダーとして、お客様にフルスタックのAIソリューションを構築することで、AI投資と企業価値を結ぶ架け橋となっています。業界、ビジネスプロセス、エンジニアリングに関する当社の深い専門知識を活かし、組織固有のビジネス環境をテクノロジー・システムに組み込みます。これにより、人間の可能性を最大限に引き出し、確かな成果を実現するとともに、急速に変化する世界においてグローバル企業が常に一歩先を行くための支援を行っています。 詳細については、cognizant.ai をご覧ください。
雇用に関する追加情報
本募集に記載されている報酬情報は、掲載日時点で正確なものです。Cognizantは、適用される法令に従い、いつでも本情報を変更する権利を留保します。
応募者は、対面またはビデオ会議による面接への参加を求められる場合があります。また、各面接の際に、現在有効な州政府または政府発行の身分証明書の提示を求められる場合があります。
Cognizantは機会均等雇用主です。応募および選考において、人種、肌の色、性別、宗教、信条、性的指向、性自認、国籍、障がい、遺伝情報、妊娠、退役軍人の地位、その他連邦法・州法・地方自治体の法律により保護されるいかなる特性に基づく差別も行いません。
