Principal Architect
About the role
As a Principal Architect, Forward-Deployed Engineering, you will make an impact by defining and driving the enterprise architecture strategy that enables large-scale data, AI, and digital transformation outcomes. You will be a valued member of the Data & AI organization and work collaboratively with executive stakeholders, architects, engineering teams, and business leaders to establish a scalable, governed, and outcome-driven Enterprise Data Foundation that delivers measurable business value.
This is a highly influential leadership role responsible for translating executive vision into enterprise architecture, modernization roadmaps, AI-enabled platforms, and operational excellence initiatives. The successful candidate will serve as the primary technical authority across the enterprise and help shape the future of data and AI capabilities at scale.
In this role, you will:
- Define and evolve the enterprise architecture strategy and target-state Data Foundation roadmap, ensuring alignment to business objectives and transformation priorities.
- Lead architecture decisions across enterprise data platforms, governance frameworks, AI-enabled solutions, and modern data ecosystems.
- Partner with executive stakeholders to translate architecture investments into tangible business outcomes, operational efficiencies, and strategic value.
- Establish architecture governance standards, review processes, and enterprise-wide best practices that drive consistency, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
- Mentor architects and engineering leaders while advancing a forward-deployed engineering culture focused on ownership, delivery excellence, and measurable outcomes.
Work model
At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible and support a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs. Based on this role's business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring work in a Cognizant or client office in Plano, TX.
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
- 15+ years of experience in enterprise data, analytics, AI, cloud, or technology architecture roles.
- 5+ years of experience serving as a Principal Architect, Enterprise Architect, Distinguished Architect, or comparable enterprise leadership position.
- Proven track record designing and implementing enterprise-scale data foundations, modernization programs, or AI-enabled platforms within large organizations.
- Experience driving enterprise architecture strategy, governance, standards, and technology roadmaps.
- Deep expertise in modern cloud data platforms, data governance, metadata management, and enterprise architecture principles.
- Experience leading large-scale modernization initiatives involving legacy platform transformation, cloud migration, and business-critical technology programs.
- Demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and communicate complex technology strategies to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong leadership skills with experience mentoring architects, engineering teams, and technical leaders.
These will help you stand out
- Experience within Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Retail, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or similar enterprise industries.
- Expertise with Databricks Lakehouse architecture, Unity Catalog, Delta Live Tables, Mosaic AI, and related data platform technologies.
- Experience designing and governing enterprise AI, agentic AI, and multi-agent orchestration platforms.
- Strong understanding of FinOps, cloud cost optimization, enterprise data governance, lineage, and data quality frameworks.
- Experience evaluating build-versus-buy decisions and managing strategic technology partnerships.
- Ability to translate architecture decisions into business value, ROI, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation outcomes.
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.
Salary and Other Compensation:
Applications will be accepted until August 21, 2026
The annual salary for this position is between $145,000- $170,000 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 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.
Sobre a Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) é uma construtora de IA e fornecedora de serviços de tecnologia, criando a ponte entre o investimento em IA e o valor para as empresas por meio do desenvolvimento de soluções de IA completas para nossos clientes. Nossa profunda experiência em setores, processos e engenharia nos permite incorporar o contexto único de cada organização em sistemas tecnológicos que potencializam a capacidade humana, geram resultados tangíveis e mantêm empresas globais à frente em um mundo em rápida transformação. Saiba mais em cognizant.ai ou @cognizant.
A Cognizant é uma empregadora que investe em equidade. Sua candidatura não será pautada em raça, cor, gênero, sexualidade, credo, origem, deficiência, gravidez ou qualquer outra característica protegida pelas leis brasileiras.
Informações adicionais de emprego
Os candidatos podem ser obrigados a comparecer a entrevistas presenciais ou por videoconferência. Além disso, os candidatos podem ser obrigados a apresentar seu documento de identificação emitido pelo estado ou governo atual durante cada entrevista.
Embora nosso sistema permita a candidatura em todos os idiomas, o(s) idioma(s) e o(s) nível(is) de proficiência exigidos para o trabalho variam. No entanto, é necessário um nível básico de inglês para fins de comunicação em toda a empresa.
A Cognizant é uma empregadora que investe em equidade. Sua candidatura não será pautada em raça, cor, gênero, sexualidade, credo, origem, deficiência, gravidez ou qualquer outra característica protegida pelas leis brasileiras.
Se você tem uma deficiência que requer adaptações razoáveis para procurar uma vaga de emprego ou enviar uma candidatura, envie um e-mail para [email protected] com sua solicitação e informações de contato.
