About the Role
As an AI & Shift Left Architect at Cognizant, you will make an impact by driving the shift-left quality strategy and AI-led engineering transformation for one of Belgium's leading financial institutions. You will be a valued member of our Engineering & Quality Practice and work collaboratively with client architects, product owners, and agile delivery teams to define target architectures, build AI accelerators, and embed quality earlier across the entire software delivery lifecycle.
This is a senior, client-facing role that combines deep technical expertise in quality engineering and GenAI with the consulting gravitas to influence at a strategic level — from engineering teams all the way to senior stakeholders.
In This Role, You Will
- Define and drive the shift-left testing strategy across value streams and Agile Release Trains, establishing quality gates, automated testing, and static analysis directly within CI/CD pipelines.
- Design and implement AI and GenAI accelerators and agents for requirement analysis, test design, test case and script generation, and code quality assurance — leveraging prompt engineering and agentic workflows.
- Conduct AS-IS assessments of the client's engineering and quality practices, and define the TO-BE architecture alongside a phased, measurable adoption roadmap.
- Build reusable assets, including prompt libraries, frameworks, and governance structures designed for enterprise-wide scale and reuse.
- Define and track measurable outcomes such as cycle time reduction, defect leakage, and cost of quality — ensuring benefit realization throughout the engagement.
- Run workshops with client architects and product owners, and actively coach delivery teams on AI-assisted engineering practices and modern quality disciplines.
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 regular on-site presence at the client location in Brussels, Belgium. 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
- 10+ years of experience in software quality engineering, test architecture, or engineering practice roles — with hands-on delivery ownership.
- Hands-on GenAI and LLM expertise applied to engineering use cases, including prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and the design of agentic workflows.
- Deep shift-left knowledge: TDD/BDD, unit testing, API and contract testing, and quality gate design.
- Test automation proficiency across tooling such as Selenium and Playwright, and REST API automation frameworks, using Java, Python, or JavaScript.
- CI/CD and DevOps toolchain experience with platforms including Azure DevOps, GitLab, or Jenkins, supported by cloud exposure in Azure or AWS.
- Banking or regulated financial services background, with the ability to navigate compliance and governance requirements within a complex delivery environment.
- Agile at scale exposure (SAFe, ARTs, value streams) and a track record of working effectively within large, cross-functional programs.
- Strong client-facing communication skills, with the confidence and gravitas to present to senior stakeholders and influence architectural decisions.
- Professional proficiency in English; knowledge of French and/or Dutch is an advantage.
These Will Help You Stand Out
- Relevant certifications such as ISTQB Advanced, SAFe, or cloud and AI certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure AI).
- Experience with AI governance frameworks and responsible AI practices within a regulated financial environment.
- Exposure to reskilling and capability-building programs, including enabling client teams to develop AI-assisted engineering competencies.
- A consulting mindset with the ability to build trusted advisor relationships directly with customer stakeholders.
We're Excited to Meet You
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.
What We Offer
At Cognizant, we care about the wellbeing and growth of our people. As part of our Belgian team, you will benefit from:
- Health Insurance – comprehensive hospitalization cover
- ️ Life Cover – group insurance for your peace of mind
- Company Car or Mobility Budget – flexible to your lifestyle and commuting needs
- Work-from-Home Allowance – supporting your hybrid setup
- 32 Vacation Days – so you can truly recharge
- Pension Plan – investing in your future
- ️ Luncheon Vouchers – a daily benefit to enjoy
- ✈️ Travel Insurance – coverage when you need it most
- EcoCheques – rewarding sustainable choices
- Travel & Entertainment Expense Coverage
- Laptop & Mobile Phone with Subscription – everything you need to work effectively
Contact the Recruiter
Interested in this opportunity? Reach out directly to our recruiter:
Sophie Künzel [email protected]
Over Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is een bouwer van AI-oplossingen en een leverancier van technologiediensten. Wij slaan de brug tussen AI-investeringen en ondernemingswaarde door het bouwen van full-stack AI-oplossingen voor onze klanten. Onze diepgaande kennis van sectoren, processen en engineering stelt ons in staat om de unieke context van een organisatie te verankeren in technologische systemen. Deze systemen versterken het menselijk potentieel, realiseren tastbare resultaten en geven wereldwijde ondernemingen een voorsprong in een snel veranderende wereld. Ontdek hoe op cognizant.ai of @cognizant.
Aanvullende arbeidsinformatie
De informatie over de beloning is correct op de datum van deze vacature. Cognizant behoudt zich het recht voor om deze informatie op elk moment te wijzigen, met inachtneming van de toepasselijke wetgeving.
Van sollicitanten kan worden verwacht dat zij gesprekken bijwonen, persoonlijk of via een videogesprek. Daarnaast kan van kandidaten worden gevraagd om tijdens elk gesprek een geldig, door de overheid uitgegeven identiteitsbewijs (zoals een identiteitskaart of paspoort) te tonen.
Cognizant is een werkgever die gelijke kansen biedt. Je sollicitatie en kandidatuur worden niet beoordeeld op basis van ras, huidskleur, geslacht, religie, levensovertuiging, seksuele geaardheid, genderidentiteit, nationale afkomst, handicap, genetische informatie, zwangerschap, veteranenstatus of enige andere eigenschap die wordt beschermd door federale, regionale of lokale wetgeving.
