AI Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

About the role

As an AI Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you will make an impact by shaping and delivering innovative AI-driven solutions that help clients unlock business value. You will partner with sales, engineering, and industry experts to translate client challenges into scalable AI solutions, driving both technical design and commercial success.

You will be a valued member of the AI Sales Engineering team and work collaboratively with account teams, offering specialists, and client stakeholders to bring cutting-edge GenAI/AI use cases to life.

In this role, you will:

• Participate in early-stage discovery and ideation sessions with clients and account teams to explore the art of the possible with GenAI/AI
• Conduct structured discovery to identify pain points, opportunity areas, and high-value AI use cases
• Translate ambiguous client questions into solution hypotheses, conceptual flows, and initial narratives
• Build 'North Star' AI scenarios that demonstrate business impact, differentiation, and value
• Define end-to-end solution architecture options, including data/ML needs, integration patterns, and partner components
• Develop multiple solution pathways (good/better/best) with clearly defined trade-offs and feasibility considerations
• Produce client-ready artifacts including proposals, SoWs, architecture decks, value frameworks, and demo narratives
• Lead client walkthroughs, deep-dive sessions, and technical Q&A to progress opportunities
• Refine solution positioning based on client feedback and competitive context
• Orchestrate cross-functional pursuit collaboration across sales, industry, engineering, and ecosystem partners
• Ensure alignment with delivery teams, validating feasibility, risks, and implementation readiness

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 requiring 2–3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in the United States.

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.

What you need to have to be considered

• Experience in AI/ML, GenAI, or solution architecture, with hands-on exposure to LLMs and enterprise AI solutions
• Proven experience in solution shaping and technical presales, including proposals, SoWs, and architecture design
• Strong ability to lead client discovery, ideation sessions, and technical discussions
• Experience designing end-to-end solutions across data, AI/ML, integration, and cloud ecosystems
• Ability to collaborate across sales, engineering, and delivery teams to drive deal progression

These will help you stand out

• Experience building POCs, MVPs, or prototypes in AI-led sales cycles
• Exposure to hyperscalers, GenAI ecosystem partners, and co-sell motions
• Experience supporting or leading complex pursuits and multi-stakeholder deals
• Strong storytelling skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into business value narratives
• Familiarity with AI governance, risk, and enterprise deployment considerations

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 $190,000-$240,00,000 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.

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.