AI Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), Seattle, Washington, United States

AI Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)

About the role

As an FDE you will make an impact by leading client discovery, solution shaping, and AI-driven opportunity development that helps organizations realize tangible business value from GenAI and AI. You will be a valued member of Cognizant’s AI Sales Engineering organization and work closely with sales, industry specialists, design and engineering teams, and ecosystem partners to bring high-value AI use cases from ideation through deal closure.

In this role, you will:

Lead early-stage discovery and art-of-the-possible ideation sessions, helping clients and account teams explore how GenAI and AI can address critical business challenges
Translate ambiguous client needs into solution hypotheses, conceptual flows, and “north star” AI scenarios that articulate business impact and differentiation
Shape end-to-end AI solution architectures, defining data, ML, integration patterns, and partner components
Develop and present client-ready solution artifacts, including proposals, statements of work, architecture decks, value frameworks, and demo narratives
Orchestrate cross-functional pursuit teams, ensuring alignment across sales, industry specialists, engineering, delivery, and ecosystem partners
Guide opportunities through governance checkpoints and ensure smooth handoff to delivery teams with validated architectures and clear assumptions

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 per 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. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

Experience in AI/ML, GenAI, or solution architecture, with exposure to large language models and enterprise AI platforms
Proven ability to lead structured discovery, ideation workshops, and technical deep dives with client stakeholders
Demonstrated success shaping and progressing complex AI-driven opportunities, including proposals and solution design
Strong understanding of enterprise data architectures, ML pipelines, cloud platforms, and system integration
Ability to collaborate across sales, engineering, design, and delivery teams to influence outcomes

These will help you stand out

Experience creating AI prototypes, MVPs, or proofs of concept during pursuit or pre-sales cycles
Exposure to hyperscalers, AI platforms, and partner ecosystems
Track record of orchestrating multi-disciplinary pursuit teams and managing solution trade-offs
Strong storytelling skills that connect technical solutions to business value
Background in AI consulting, sales engineering, or technical advisory roles

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until July 15, 2026

The annual base salary for this position is between $200,000 - $235,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

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 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.

Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
Paid holidays and paid time off
401(k) plan with employer contributions
Long-term and short-term disability coverage
Paid parental leave
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Acerca de Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) es un creador de soluciones de IA y proveedor de servicios tecnológicos que conecta la inversión en IA con el valor empresarial mediante el desarrollo de soluciones de IA full‑stack para sus clientes. Su profundo conocimiento de la industria, junto con su experiencia en procesos e ingeniería, permite incorporar el contexto único de cada organización en sistemas tecnológicos que amplifican el potencial humano, generan resultados tangibles y mantienen a las empresas a la vanguardia en un entorno en constante cambio. Más información en cognizant.ai o @cognizant.

Información adicional sobre el empleo
La información sobre la compensación es exacta en la fecha de publicación de este anuncio. Cognizant se reserva el derecho de modificar esta información en cualquier momento, de conformidad con la legislación aplicable.
Es posible que se solicite a los solicitantes que asistan a entrevistas de forma presencial o mediante videoconferencia. Asimismo, durante cada entrevista, los candidatos podrán estar obligados a presentar un documento de identidad válido emitido por el estado o por el gobierno.
Cognizant es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Su solicitud y candidatura no se evaluarán en función de la raza, el color, el sexo, la religión, el credo, la orientación sexual, la identidad de género, el origen nacional, la discapacidad, la información genética, el embarazo, la condición de veterano ni cualquier otra característica protegida por las leyes federales, estatales o locales.