AI Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

AI Forward Deployment Engineer

Location: US

Function: AI Sales Engineering / AI Business & Design

About the Role

We are looking for a highly skilled and consultative AI Forward Deployment Engineer (FDE) to help clients understand, shape, and activate the potential of AI in their business. This role partners closely with sales, industry specialists, engineering, and clients to turn priority AI use cases into MVPs, POCs, and commercially strong solutions that accelerate deal conversion.

You will sit at the intersection of AI technology, solution architecture, and business value, guiding clients from early‑stage ideation through to validated solution designs. This is a hands‑on, high‑impact role suited for a technical expert who thrives in ambiguous, fast‑moving sales cycles.

In this role you will:

• Drive early‑stage discovery sessions with clients and account teams.
• Identify pain points, value levers, and high‑impact AI opportunities.
• Build “North Star” AI scenarios that illustrate meaningful business transformation.
• Translate vague or complex client questions into clear solution hypotheses and initial architectural logic.
• Design AI solutions by putting together the main components (LLMs, data sources, integrations) under guidance from senior engineers.
• Build prototypes, storyboards, demos, accelerators and reusable agentic blueprints
• Engineer & validate AI agents for reliability, reasoning, safety, and performance
• Lead PoCs, pilots, and phase-0 MVPs across industries

• Create compelling, client‑ready content: SoWs, proposals, architecture decks, value frameworks, and demo storylines.
• Lead technical walkthroughs, deep‑dives, and competitive differentiation discussions.
• Refine solution narratives based on client feedback and market conditions.

• Oversee seamless transition from sales to delivery, ensuring continuity and clarity.

Work Model:

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 irequiring 3-4 days a week in a client or Cognizant office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though 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 be considered:

• Hands-on experience to Google ADK or CoPilot Studio in building AI Agents (or any tool such as CrewAI, Autogen for building agents)
• Hands-on working knowledge in defining and configuring prompts, instructions, tools, reasoning, guardrails and other similar concepts in AI Agent development
• Strong experience with RAG pipelines, Vector DBs, tokenization, and prompt engineering
• Hands-on experience in creating and maintaining Python libraries, utilize LangChain, Hugging Face, OpenAI API, or local models
• Very strong experience with developing RESTful APIs in Python using frameworks like FastAPI and integrate third-party services, UI components and APIs
• Hands-on working with Docker-based deployments, and leveraging GitHub for code repo and version control is MUST
• Own end-to-end architecture: LLM selection, context engineering, microservices, integrations, and UI.
• Build prototypes, storyboards, demos, accelerators, and reusable agentic blueprints.
• Engineer & validate AI agents for reliability, reasoning, safety, and performance.
• Lead PoCs, pilots, and phase0 MVPs across industries.
• Create thought leadership, reusable assets, and mentor engineering teams.
• Collaborate with hyper-scalers and product partners to craft next generation AI-led experiences.
• Strong communication skills and articulation skills
• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience

This will help you stand out:

• MS or MBA degree
• Demonstrated ability to turn ambiguous business problems into crisp AI use cases, with clear value hypotheses and measurable outcomes.
• Hands‑on prototyping mindset — able to quickly build functional demos, agent workflows, or LLM‑powered interactions that accelerate client conviction.

· Track record collaborating with hyperscalers, LLM providers, or ISVs in co‑sell or co‑build motions.

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:

The annual salary for this position is between $140,000-$200,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Benefits

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

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to apply

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, based on applicable law.

Work Authorization

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or any time in the future.

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.