Infra Lifecycle Manager

About the role

As an Infra Lifecycle Manager, you will make an impact by driving infrastructure refresh and modernization programs across large-scale manufacturing plant and data center environments — managing the full lifecycle from strategy and planning through to decommissioning. You will be a valued member of the IT Infrastructure team and work collaboratively with regional site teams, project stakeholders, vendors, and both technical and non-technical business functions to ensure infrastructure remains secure, compliant, and aligned to organizational standards.

In this role, you will:

Lead infrastructure lifecycle strategy and planning by managing End-of-Life (EOL), End-of-Support (EOS), warranty expiry, and technology obsolescence; develop annual and multi-year LCM roadmaps and prioritize refresh activities based on risk, business criticality, and infrastructure health
Lead large-scale infrastructure replacement and migration projects; manage schedules, budgets, resources, and vendors; coordinate cutover and migration activities across regions and sites; and track milestones, risks, issues, and dependencies
Ensure infrastructure operations governance including compliance with security, audit, and corporate standards; maintain CMDB accuracy and asset lifecycle records; define lifecycle standards and refresh policies; and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and delivery performance
Perform hands-on infrastructure activities including racking, stacking, cabling, and configuring Dell workstations and rack-mount servers; administer and troubleshoot Microsoft Windows environments (Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012/2016/2019) and VMware infrastructure including vSphere, vCenter, and ESXi clusters
Execute decommissioning activities including physical and remote hard drive wipes, lift-and-shift of hardware to decommission palettes, and vendor coordination for pick-up; travel up to 15% of the time to manufacturing plant sites, including potential overnight stays and air travel, with all expenses fully reimbursed per Cognizant policy

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role's business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring regular presence at client and manufacturing plant locations across the Netherlands.

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

7+ years of hands-on experience in Microsoft Windows Systems Administration (Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows Server 2012/2016/2019) with demonstrated ability to technically troubleshoot platform issues; combined with proven experience leading infrastructure lifecycle management programs including EOL/EOS planning and multi-year LCM roadmaps
Extensive knowledge of VMware fundamentals including vSphere, vCenter, and ESXi cluster administration; hands-on experience with Dell workstations and rack-mount servers in data center or manufacturing plant environments, including racking, stacking, cabling, and SAN Storage configuration
Demonstrated program and project management skills across large-scale infrastructure replacement and migration projects, including schedule, budget, resource, and vendor management across multiple regions and sites
Experience with infrastructure governance including CMDB management, asset lifecycle recordkeeping, KPI and SLA monitoring, and compliance with security and audit standards
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders from various job functions; physical capability to lift up to 40 lbs (±18 kg) and willingness to travel up to 15%, including overnight stays and air travel

These will help you stand out

Prior experience supporting a plant-based or data center environment
Build Room experience
Familiarity with Windows Imaging via PXE or USB and experience managing small device inventories on segmented plant networks

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

Competitive salary
Access to Cognizant Academy
NS Business Card for public transportation
25 paid holidays per year
Laptop and smartphone
Pension scheme
Technology-driven organization
Open team spirit
International environment

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.

Applicants for US based positions must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The company is unable to provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for US based positions.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] for roles based in the Americas or [email protected] for roles based in India.

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.