Forward Deployed Engineer (GenAI / Agentic AI)
About the role
As a Forward Deployed Engineer, you will make an impact by owning end-to-end client engagements and delivering production-grade multi-agent AI solutions that solve complex business problems. You will be a valued member of a high-performing AI delivery pod and work collaboratively with client stakeholders, engineering teams, and Cognizant’s AI Market Unit to drive measurable outcomes.
In this role, you will:
- Lead small engineering pods (2–3 engineers) embedded with clients, owning delivery from discovery through production deployment
- Translate ambiguous business challenges into scalable agentic AI architectures, including agent design, orchestration, and human-in-the-loop workflows
- Design and build multi-agent systems for enterprise use cases such as document intelligence, process automation, and AI-assisted decisioning
- Drive rigorous evaluation by defining test frameworks, conducting red-teaming, and presenting evidence-based quality outcomes to stakeholders
- Engage with client stakeholders to conduct architecture reviews, lead technical workshops, and communicate trade-offs in business-friendly terms
Work model
At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring 5 days a week in a Cognizant or client office in Chennai, Bangalore, or Hyderabad.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on project and client requirements.
What you need to have to be considered
- Hands-on experience delivering GenAI solutions from prototype to production in real-world environments
- Strong programming expertise in Python and working knowledge of TypeScript / JavaScript
- Experience with agentic AI frameworks such as LangGraph, AutoGen, CrewAI, or Semantic Kernel
- Proven experience designing and deploying cloud-native solutions (e.g., Kubernetes, serverless, managed AI services)
- Solid understanding of data engineering concepts including ETL, streaming systems, and working with vector/relational databases
- Experience working in enterprise environments with security, compliance, and governance constraints
- Ability to present technical solutions and trade-offs to senior technical and business stakeholders
These will help you stand out
- Experience diagnosing and recovering stalled AI initiatives and bringing them into production successfully
- Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to challenge and refine client use cases to maximize ROI
- Familiarity with AI evaluation frameworks, observability, and safety/guardrail tooling
- Experience working in regulated industries such as BFSI, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, or supply chain
- Proven ability to mentor engineers and elevate overall delivery quality within a team
Additional information
We’re excited to meet people who can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don’t hesitate to apply, even if you meet most (but not all) of the requirements. Your transferable skills and unique experiences matter.
What we offer
- The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
- Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
- The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
- Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
- True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.
About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.
Other employment-related information
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.
