Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.). Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 1000, and the Fortune 500 and we are among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.
Principal Architect role for a hybrid day shift position requiring deep experience in PySpark and the Entertainment Media domain responsible for shaping end to end data architectures guiding complex analytics platforms and ensuring scalable secure solutions that power content discovery audience insights and revenue optimization across global operations.
Responsibilities
- Define and evolve the target data architecture for Entertainment Media platforms using PySpark based processing to ensure scalable analytics that improve content recommendation accuracy and viewing experiences for diverse audiences.
- Design end to end data pipelines on distributed computing environments using PySpark to transform large scale streaming and batch datasets into reliable curated layers that support editorial decisions marketing planning and revenue reporting.
- Create and document reusable architectural patterns for ingestion transformation and serving of media usage data including play events ad impressions subscriptions and engagement metrics to accelerate future solution delivery.
- Guide teams in implementing robust data quality frameworks within PySpark jobs including validation reconciliation and monitoring routines that enhance trust in audience measurement and campaign performance reports.
- Optimize PySpark workloads for performance and cost efficiency across hybrid infrastructure by tuning resource configurations partition strategies and storage layouts which improves responsiveness of analytic dashboards for business stakeholders.
- Collaborate with product owners editors marketing analysts and operations teams to translate Entertainment Media business goals into clear architectural blueprints that enable data driven decisions on content acquisition scheduling and promotions.
- Establish strong governance for data models metadata and lineage across Entertainment and Media datasets so teams can confidently trace metrics used for ratings forecasts subscriber analytics and advertising yield optimization.
- Partner with security and compliance teams to embed privacy aware architectural controls such as robust access patterns encryption strategies and anonymization techniques within PySpark pipelines for responsible use of audience data.
- Review and refine solution designs produced by engineering squads ensuring alignment with architectural standards while removing unnecessary complexity so implementations remain maintainable and resilient over many content cycles.
- Mentor senior engineers and data specialists on PySpark best practices distributed systems concepts and Entertainment domain nuances enabling them to design solutions that handle peak traffic during major releases and live events.
- Coordinate with platform operations to define observability strategies including logging metrics and alerting for PySpark jobs and media data services which reduces incident resolution time and improves reliability for viewers and advertisers.
- Champion innovation by evaluating new data processing techniques analytical tools and content intelligence approaches that can be safely integrated into the architecture to unlock richer audience insights and personalized media experiences.
- Communicate architectural decisions trade offs and roadmaps in clear business oriented language helping stakeholders understand how technical choices support company objectives of audience growth retention and sustainable monetization.
Qualifications
- Possess fifteen to nineteen years of progressive experience in data or solution architecture with extensive responsibility for complex distributed systems in large scale organizations.
- Demonstrate advanced hands on expertise in PySpark including design of resilient jobs optimization of transformations and troubleshooting of production workloads across hybrid environments.
- Bring solid experience working within the Entertainment and Media domain with practical understanding of ratings subscriber funnels audience segmentation advertising models and content lifecycle processes.
- Show proficiency in modern data platform components such as distributed storage query engines scheduling frameworks and monitoring tools enabling integrated solutions that serve analysts and product teams.
- Apply strong knowledge of data modeling and analytics concepts including dimensional design event based schemas and metric definition so that reporting for content and campaigns remains consistent and actionable.
- Exhibit capability to collaborate effectively in hybrid work settings using structured communication and documentation practices that support remote and in office participants across time zones.
- Demonstrate familiarity with responsible data and privacy practices relevant to audience and subscriber information ensuring architectures support regulatory compliance and ethical usage.
Application Accepted: 7/25/2026
The annual salary for this position is between $150,000 - $185,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
· Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
· 401(k) with Company Match
· Employee Stock Purchase Program
· Paid Time Off & Holidays
· Paid Parental Leave
· Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Coverage
· Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
· Mental Health & Wellbeing Programs
· Health Advocacy & Virtual Care Services
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 la
Our strength is built on our ability to work together. Our diverse backgrounds offer different perspectives and new ways of thinking. It encourages lively discussions, creativity, productivity, and helps us build better solutions for our clients. We want someone who thrives in this setting and is inspired to craft meaningful solutions through true collaboration.
If you are content with ambiguity, excited by change, and excel through autonomy, we’d love to hear from you!
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap 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, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation 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.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
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, state or local laws.
