Prompt Engineer
About the Role
As a Prompt Engineer (LLM / Generative AI), you will make an impact by designing and delivering intelligent AI-powered solutions using large language models. You will be a valued member of the engineering team and collaborate with product managers, data scientists, and business stakeholders to build scalable, production-ready AI applications.
Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.
In This Role, You Will:
- Design, develop, and deploy LLM-powered applications using Python
- Integrate and manage OpenAI APIs (GPT models, embeddings, function calling, assistants, fine-tuning)
- Create, test, and optimize prompt engineering strategies for accuracy, reliability, and cost-efficiency
- Build pipelines for retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) using vector databases
- Implement LLM evaluation, monitoring, and observability techniques (prompt versioning, output scoring, hallucination detection)
- Optimize latency, token usage, and cost for production LLM workloads
- Develop APIs, backend services, and microservices to support AI solutions
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into AI-driven features
- Ensure solutions follow security, privacy, and responsible AI best practices
- Stay current with evolving LLM technologies and prompt engineering techniques
Work Model
We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs.
What You Need to Have to Be Considered:
- Strong proficiency in Python (data structures, APIs, async programming)
- Hands-on experience with OpenAI APIs or comparable LLM providers
- Practical experience with prompt engineering techniques (few-shot, chain-of-thought, system prompts, guardrails)
- Experience building production-ready applications using LLMs
- Familiarity with REST APIs, JSON, and backend frameworks (FastAPI, Flask, or Django)
- Solid understanding of NLP concepts and limitations of LLMs
- Experience with version control systems (Git)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with frameworks such as LangChain or LlamaIndex
- Familiarity with vector databases (e.g., FAISS, Pinecone, Weaviate)
- Knowledge of SQL / NoSQL databases
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP)
- Exposure to DevOps practices such as Docker and CI/CD pipelines
Salary and Other Compensation
Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2026.
The annual salary for this position is between $95,000 – $130,000, 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 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.
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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.
