Sr. Architect - Gen AI/Agentic - Hybrid

Cognizant•Charlotte, NC

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a visionary and pragmatic AI Architect to lead the design and implementation of Generative and Agentic AI ecosystems for Cognizant’s strategic clients. This role blends advisory leadership, hands-on solutioning, and practice development to drive enterprise transformation in the AI-first era. You will work closely with C-level stakeholders to define AI strategies, architect scalable platforms, and deliver verticalized AI solutions across industries. This is a high-impact role for a business-savvy technologist passionate about shaping the future of enterprise AI.

Requirements

15+ years in IT and enterprise architecture, with hands-on engineering background (Java/.NET preferred).
5+ years in AI/ML, including 1+ year in Generative & Agentic AI.
Expertise in model training techniques (SFT, RLHF, LoRA/QLoRA), RAG, and evaluation pipelines.
Architect-level certifications in at least two hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Deep experience in MLOps/LLMOps, including CI/CD, monitoring, and compliance.
Proven track record in CxO-level advisory and strategic AI engagements.
Familiarity with AI governance frameworks (NIST RMF, EU AI Act, Responsible AI).
Strong leadership experience in mentoring and building cross-functional AI teams.

Nice To Haves

Publications, patents, or open-source contributions in Agentic AI or LLMOps.
Recognized thought leadership in conferences, panels, or media.
Deep domain expertise in one or more industries.
Experience with AgentOps, model evaluation frameworks, and AI observability tools.

Responsibilities

Design and implement modular, cloud-native AI platforms integrating LLMs, SLMs, and multi-agent orchestration. Ensure security, scalability, and compliance with industry standards.
Lead executive-level engagements to define AI roadmaps and investment strategies. Serve as the anchor architect for major client accounts.
Deliver tailored AI use cases across verticals such as Banking, Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing, and more.
Oversee end-to-end model development including data preparation, training, fine-tuning (SFT, RLHF, LoRA), deployment, and optimization.
Establish enterprise-grade pipelines for CI/CD, monitoring, observability, and compliance. Define governance frameworks for agent lifecycle management.
Build and lead AI capability squads. Mentor architects and engineers, contribute to hiring strategy, and support succession planning.
Collaborate with hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, GCP), ISVs, and startups to co-develop offerings and influence partner roadmaps.
Publish white papers, contribute to patents, and represent Cognizant in executive roundtables and industry forums.