Data & AI Solution Architect (Hybrid)
Location: Dallas, TX or New York / New Jersey Area (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Travel: Approximately 30%
About Cognizant
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, helping clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences. We engineer modern businesses to improve everyday life. Our associates around the globe help clients build stronger, more agile, and innovative organizations.
Our Data, AI, and Cloud practice helps clients accelerate digital transformation through modern data platforms, cloud-native architectures, advanced analytics, AI, and Generative AI solutions. We partner with global organizations to modernize legacy environments, unlock the value of enterprise data, and build intelligent business capabilities at scale.
Role Overview
Cognizant is seeking an experienced Data & AI Solution Architect to lead architecture, solution design, pre-sales, and enterprise transformation engagements focused on modern data and AI platforms.
This role requires a seasoned technology leader with deep expertise in data engineering, cloud modernization, analytics, and AI-driven solutions. The successful candidate will engage directly with business and technology stakeholders, shape strategic solution roadmaps, develop innovative architectures, and lead large-scale implementation programs.
The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in either Databricks or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) , along with extensive experience designing modern Data Lake, Lakehouse, Data Mesh, Data Warehouse, Data as a Product, and Generative AI ecosystems.
Retail and Consumer Goods experience is preferred; however, candidates from other industries with strong data and AI transformation experience will also be considered.
Work Model
This position follows a hybrid work model and can be based in either:
- Dallas, Texas
- New York Metropolitan Area
- New Jersey
Travel of approximately 30% is expected to support client engagements, workshops, architecture reviews, business development activities, and delivery oversight.
Key Responsibilities
Solution Architecture & Technology Leadership
- Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale Data, Analytics, AI, and Cloud transformation solutions.
- Define target-state architectures for modern data platforms supporting analytics, machine learning, GenAI, and operational intelligence.
- Develop end-to-end solution blueprints spanning ingestion, transformation, storage, governance, security, and consumption layers.
- Serve as the primary technical advisor for clients undergoing large-scale data modernization initiatives.
- Create architecture strategies aligned with business objectives, scalability requirements, and enterprise standards.
Pre-Sales & Client Engagement
- Lead solutioning activities during sales pursuits and strategic client discussions.
- Develop technical proposals, architecture presentations, effort estimates, sizing models, and statements of work.
- Participate in solution defense sessions and executive-level architecture workshops.
- Present innovative Data & AI solutions to business and technical leadership teams.
- Collaborate with account teams to identify growth opportunities and support business development initiatives.
Data Engineering & Data Platform Modernization
- Design and oversee implementation of:
- Data Warehouses
- Data Lakes
- Lakehouse Architectures
- Data Mesh Platforms
- Data as a Product Frameworks
- Generative AI Data Foundations
- Lead modernization programs involving migration from legacy platforms such as:
- Hadoop
- Teradata
- Traditional Enterprise Data Warehouses
- Architect modern ingestion frameworks supporting:
- Batch Processing
- Micro-Batch Processing
- Real-Time Streaming
- API-Based Integration
- Change Data Capture (CDC)
- Drive implementation of scalable and performant data pipelines following industry best practices.
Data Governance & Enterprise Data Strategy
- Architect enterprise data governance frameworks supporting modern data ecosystems.
- Establish strategies for:
- Metadata Management
- Data Lineage
- Data Quality
- Master Data Management
- Data Security
- Design solutions supporting self-service analytics and governed data consumption.
- Enable enterprise-wide data democratization while maintaining governance and compliance requirements.
AI & Generative AI Solutions
- Design AI-driven architectures supporting:
- Machine Learning
- Generative AI
- Agentic AI
- Intelligent Data Products
- Enable AI-ready data foundations and scalable analytics platforms.
- Design architectures supporting semantic data layers, AI consumption patterns, and intelligent applications.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend modern AI solution patterns.
Platform Leadership & Mentorship
- Mentor architects, engineers, and delivery teams across multiple programs.
- Provide technical leadership throughout the solution lifecycle.
- Develop reusable frameworks, accelerators, standards, and architectural best practices.
- Drive continuous innovation and technical excellence across engagements.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
- 15-20 years of experience in Data Engineering, Analytics, Data Platforms, or Enterprise Data Architecture.
- 5+ years of experience leading cloud-native data engineering and modernization programs.
- Strong experience leading architecture and implementation of enterprise Data & AI solutions.
- Proven experience with:
- Solution Architecture
- Technical Pre-Sales
- Estimation & Sizing
- Proposal Development
- Solution Defense
- Expertise designing:
- Data Warehouse Architectures
- Data Lakes
- Lakehouse Platforms
- Data Mesh Architectures
- Data as a Product Frameworks
- Agentic AI Solutions
- Generative AI Platforms
- Deep expertise in ETL and Data Pipeline Architecture.
- Strong understanding of:
- CI/CD
- DevOps
- DataOps
- Platform Automation
- Extensive experience implementing:
- Batch Processing
- Streaming Data Pipelines
- API Integrations
- Change Data Capture (CDC)
- Experience designing enterprise data governance capabilities and self-service data platforms.
- Excellent communication, consulting, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Databricks Expertise (Must Have OR Equivalent GCP Expertise)
Candidates with Databricks expertise should demonstrate experience with:
- Databricks Lakehouse Architecture
- Delta Lake
- Unity Catalog
- Databricks Genie
- Apache Spark
- Performance Tuning & Optimization
- Security Architecture & Implementation
- Multi-Hop Data Pipelines
- Scala Development
- Medallion Architecture
- Cluster Sizing & Optimization
- Enterprise Data Platform Modernization
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Expertise (Must Have OR Equivalent Databricks Expertise)
Candidates with Google expertise should demonstrate experience with:
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- BigQuery
- Dataproc
- Dataflow
- Google Gemini
- Cloud-Native Data Architectures
- Enterprise Security Design
- Spark-Based Implementations
- Multi-Hop Data Pipelines
- Lakehouse Architectures
- Query Performance Optimization
- Scalability & Cost Optimization
Preferred Qualifications
- Retail & Consumer Goods industry experience.
- Experience supporting large-scale digital transformation initiatives.
- Knowledge of Agentic AI and enterprise AI architectures.
- Experience designing self-service data engineering platforms.
- Cloud certifications in:
- Databricks
- Google Cloud Platform
- AWS
- Azure
- Experience building enterprise AI and advanced analytics ecosystems.
- Familiarity with semantic data layers and modern BI platforms.
Technical Expertise
Candidates should demonstrate expertise in:
- Data Architecture
- Cloud Data Engineering
- Databricks
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- BigQuery
- Dataflow
- Dataproc
- Delta Lake
- Unity Catalog
- Apache Spark
- Lakehouse Architecture
- Data Mesh
- Data as a Product
- Data Governance
- DataOps
- CI/CD
- Generative AI
- Agentic AI
- Machine Learning Platforms
- Streaming Data
- Change Data Capture (CDC)
- Enterprise Analytics
Salary and Other Compensation
The annual salary for this position is anticipated to be between $170,000 and $200,000 USD , depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.
In addition to base salary, this position may be eligible for:
- Annual performance-based bonus
- Merit-based compensation increases
- Employee referral bonuses, where applicable
The compensation information provided is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify compensation information based on business needs and applicable laws.
Benefits
Cognizant offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Life Insurance and AD&D Coverage
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays
- 401(k) Plan with Company Contributions (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (where available)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Parental Leave and Family Care Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development Programs
- Access to Learning, Certification, and Career Development Opportunities
Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and plan terms.
Why Cognizant
- Lead enterprise Data & AI transformation initiatives for global organizations.
- Shape the future of modern data platforms, analytics, and AI ecosystems.
- Work with cutting-edge technologies including Databricks, GCP, GenAI, and Agentic AI.
- Collaborate with industry-leading architects, consultants, and engineering teams.
- Access world-class learning, certifications, and leadership development opportunities.
- Join a global organization committed to innovation, excellence, and client success.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all associates feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
