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Solution Architect – Virtual Machine Platform

00069422482

Solution Architect – Virtual Machine Platform

Location: Utrecht, Netherlands | Cognizant

About Cognizant

Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, helping organizations modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences. With a strong engineering culture and global delivery capability, we partner with clients across industries to build resilient, scalable, and secure technology platforms.

About the Role

Are you someone who creates clarity where others see chaos? Can you distill technical complexity into a clear, scalable architecture? Then we are looking for you.

We are seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Solution Architect to lead the design and evolution of our client's Virtual Machine (VM) platform. You will work in close partnership with fellow Solution Architects responsible for related compute and infrastructure services to ensure alignment on guardrails, standards, integrations, and shared functionality across the client's compute ecosystem.

1. As a Solution Architect, you will be part of the leadership triangle — together with the Product Owner and Tech Lead — guiding the squad responsible for shaping the Virtual Machine platform service, driving architectural decisions, platform strategy, and technical excellence.2 The VM capability is part of Engineering Services, where multi-cloud infrastructure is offered in a structured and curated self-service manner to hundreds of DevOps squads. The technology landscape includes containers, databases, and various SaaS implementations.3You bring structure to a flood of information and diverse interests — from technical standards to organizational frameworks. You don't just think in solutions, but in principles, frameworks, and long-term vision.

Key Responsibilities

Architectural Leadership

  • Define and evolve the architecture of the Virtual Machine platform.
  • Ensure scalability, security, reliability, and maintainability of the platform.
  • Align platform architecture with enterprise standards and cloud best practices. 5

Cross-Platform Collaboration

  • Co-develop common guardrails, standards, and integration patterns with other compute and infrastructure architects.
  • Promote interoperability and consistency across VM environments (Azure, AWS, on-premises).
  • Share learnings and innovations across platform teams. 6

Team Leadership

  • Co-lead the VM platform team with the Product Owner and Tech Lead.
  • Guide engineers in implementing architectural decisions and platform capabilities.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. 7

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Collaborate with security, compute, storage, networking, and application teams to ensure platform alignment with organisational needs.
  • Communicate architectural vision and roadmap to stakeholders and leadership. 8

Innovation & Strategy

  • Stay ahead of industry trends in virtualisation, cloud compute, and platform engineering.
  • Drive adoption of automation, Infrastructure-as-Code, and self-service capabilities. 9
  • Design and standardise VM services across Azure, AWS, and on-premises environments.
  • Optimise for cost efficiency and operational excellence.
  • Promote higher-in-the-stack solutions such as containers to gradually reduce the VM footprint. 10

What You Need to Succeed

  • Proven experience as a Solution Architect in cloud infrastructure and virtualisation environments.
  • Strong hands-on knowledge of Azure and/or AWS VM services and multi-cloud architecture patterns.
  • Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code tooling (e.g. Terraform, Bicep, Ansible).
  • Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear architectural decisions and stakeholder communications.
  • Collaborative mindset with the ability to co-lead cross-functional platform teams.

Nice to Have

  • Experience with container platforms (Kubernetes, OpenShift, EKS, AKS).
  • Background in platform engineering, DevOps, or SRE practices.
  • Familiarity with self-service infrastructure delivery models.
  • TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification.
  • Experience working in regulated or enterprise-scale environments.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary aligned with your experience and the market.
  • Access to Udemy and Cognizant Academy for continuous professional development.
  • NS Business Card, 25 vacation days, laptop, and smartphone.
  • Pension scheme and comprehensive benefits package.
  • International, inclusive, and technology-driven working environment with strong career growth opportunities.

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.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.

 

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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