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Senior Consulting Manager, AI-Led Mainframe Modernization

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About Cognizant Consulting

Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant’s consulting practice. We’re a global community of 5,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending our deep industry and technology advisory capability, we create innovative business solutions for Fortune 500 clients. And now, we’re looking for our next colleague who’ll join us in shaping the future of business. Could it be you?

About the role

As a Senior Consulting Manager, AI-Led Mainframe Modernization, you will make an impact by architecting and delivering complex mainframe modernization programs using cloud-native technologies, generative AI, and AI-enabled engineering solutions.

You will collaborate with client stakeholders, architects, business SMEs, developers, DevOps teams, and AI/ML engineers to assess legacy environments, define modernization strategies, establish target-state architectures, and lead transformation from discovery through implementation and stabilization.

In this role, you will:

  • Lead end-to-end mainframe modernization engagements, including discovery, application and infrastructure assessment, inventory and dependency analysis, target-state architecture, migration planning and execution, cloud landing, and stabilization.
  • Architect modernization solutions and transformation roadmaps across rehost, replatform, refactor, re-architect, and replace strategies, leveraging AI-enabled inventory analysis, complexity assessment, and effort estimation.
  • Embed generative AI and LLM-enabled engineering into the modernization lifecycle, including code comprehension, business-rule extraction from COBOL/Assembler/PL/I, automated code conversion and refactoring, documentation, test generation, and engineering productivity.
  • Establish architecture and technical governance across modernization programs, including AI-tool selection, migration patterns, responsible-AI guardrails, human-in-the-loop validation, functional-equivalence testing, and quality assurance of AI-generated code.
  • Lead and mentor multidisciplinary modernization teams while contributing to client solutioning, workshops, modernization offerings, reusable accelerators and IP, and AI-enabled capabilities such as inventory analyzers, code translators, rule-extraction engines, and test-case generators.

Work model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States with some travel involved. 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 must have to be considered

  • 10+ years of hands-on experience with mainframe applications and technologies, including COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2, CICS, IMS, Assembler and/or PL/I, with experience serving as a Technical Lead or Architect on large modernization programs.
  • Proven experience delivering end-to-end mainframe transformation programs, from assessment through go-live, including code conversion, application decomposition, API enablement, data migration, cloud migration, cutover, and stabilization.
  • Hands-on experience applying generative AI and LLM-enabled technologies to mainframe modernization, including code comprehension, business-rule extraction, automated code conversion/refactoring, documentation, test generation, and AI-assisted analysis.
  • Strong experience with modernization and cloud technologies, including tools or platforms such as IBM z/OS Connect, AWS Mainframe Modernization, Micro Focus/OpenText, Heirloom, Raincode, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, microservices, and AWS, Azure, and/or Google Cloud.
  • Strong consulting, architecture, and client-facing capabilities, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams, design complex modernization solutions, provide architectural governance, manage technical risks, and communicate AI-enabled modernization value to client stakeholders.

These will help you succeed

  • Experience designing and validating AI-assisted code conversion pipelines, including LLM evaluation, prompt engineering, accuracy benchmarking, AI output-quality controls, and human-in-the-loop validation.
  • Experience developing or contributing to AI-enabled modernization accelerators and reusable IP, including inventory analyzers, code translators, business-rule extraction tools, test generators, or modernization workbenches.
  • Strong understanding of cloud-native architecture, containerization, microservices, application portfolio rationalization, DevOps, MLOps, service mesh, and responsible-AI practices.
  • Experience delivering modernization programs across industries such as insurance, banking and financial services, healthcare, and retail.
  • Relevant certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, Azure AI Engineer, AWS AI/ML certifications, TOGAF, or equivalent credentials.

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.

Compensation

$134,500- $158,500

This position is eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans. The U.S. Consulting template notes that the compensation section is mandatory for states where required by law.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
  • 401(k) plan and contributions
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Employee assistance program
  • 10 paid holidays plus PTO
  • Paid parental leave and fertility assistance
  • Learning and development certifications and programs

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.

Benefits that help you thrive and grow

Our benefits program is built with you in mind—so you can enjoy a fulfilling, balanced and healthy life.

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Financial wellbeing

We regularly review market data to ensure compensation reflects the value you bring. Your benefits extend beyond pay and may include retirement plans, financial education, etc.

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Physical and mental health

We empower you to prioritize your wellbeing through paid time off, flexible working where possible, healthcare plans, counselling, our Mental Health Allyship program and more. 

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Your career, your way

With 350,000+ roles at Cognizant, you’ll have opportunities explore new technologies, industries and locations—and build the skills you need to grow your career.

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Real-world impact

Think about the biggest brands you rely on. Chances are, they rely on us to help strengthen their business. Here, you’ll turn bold ideas into solutions that improve lives everywhere.

Your path to Cognizant

Here’s what you can expect from our hiring process. Please keep in mind that it may vary by role and location. Explore our FAQs to learn more.

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Step 1: Apply to the right opportunity

Find an open role that matches your skills and career goals and show us why you’re the person for the job. Don’t see the right opportunity? Consider joining our Talent Community.

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Step 2: Connect with your recruiter

If one of our recruiters sees a fit, they’ll set up a short intro call to learn more about you and how your experiences and skills match the role.

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Step 3: Show off your skills

If you and our team would like to continue the process, you’ll interview with our hiring team. Some roles may also require technical assessments and/or client interviews.

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Step 4: Decision time

Our team will then review each candidates’ potential to succeed in the role. This step may take some time because we want to find the right fit for both you and us—but you can count on us to keep you updated.

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What I value most about working at Cognizant is the opportunity to innovate while delivering real business impact. My role allows me to combine strategy, technology, and collaboration across global teams, which makes every project meaningful. The support for continuous learning and innovation has been instrumental in my growth.
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I’ve had the chance to work on impactful projects and shadow colleagues, all while getting involved in internal initiatives. The world is your oyster at Cognizant—you just need to take advantage of it!
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