Gen AI Architect (Hybrid)

About the Role

As an Gen AI Architect, you will make an impact by defining and advancing enterprise-scale AI platform architecture that enables innovative, secure, and scalable AI solutions across global business functions. You will be a valued member of the AI and Digital Engineering organization and will collaborate with business leaders, product teams, data engineers, application architects, platform engineers, and client stakeholders to accelerate AI adoption and business value.

In This Role, You Will

• Define and govern enterprise AI platform architecture, ensuring alignment between business objectives, technology strategy, security standards, and operational requirements across global markets.
• Design scalable AI and Generative AI solution architectures that integrate seamlessly with enterprise data, application, and cloud ecosystems.
• Lead the development of Python-based frameworks, services, APIs, and orchestration workflows that support production-grade AI solutions and reusable platform capabilities.
• Establish AI platform standards, reference architectures, governance frameworks, and best practices that enable rapid and compliant solution delivery.
• Partner with business and technology stakeholders to identify and deliver AI use cases across the Cards and Payments domain, including fraud detection, transaction intelligence, risk monitoring, and customer experience optimization.
• Drive the adoption of responsible AI practices by addressing model performance, explainability, fairness, scalability, and regulatory requirements.
• Guide engineering teams on platform observability, monitoring, logging, performance optimization, and operational excellence for AI-powered services.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies, cloud services, and industry trends to shape the enterprise AI roadmap and long-term investment strategy.
• Assess architectural risks, including model drift, data quality challenges, scalability concerns, and operational vulnerabilities, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Lead technical planning, solution estimation, architecture reviews, and executive-level discussions for strategic AI initiatives.
• Develop and maintain architecture documentation, design patterns, platform standards, and technical governance artifacts.
• Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead by building trust, fostering collaboration, driving strategic vision, delivering business outcomes, and promoting an inclusive culture.

Work Model:

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Toronto ,Ontario . Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

What You Need to Have to Be Considered

• 12+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, solution architecture, AI platforms, data engineering, or related technology leadership roles.
• Deep expertise designing and implementing enterprise-scale AI, Machine Learning, and Generative AI platforms within complex, regulated environments.
• Strong experience translating business objectives into scalable and secure architecture blueprints and technology roadmaps.
• Advanced hands-on proficiency with Python and modern software engineering practices for building APIs, automation solutions, orchestration frameworks, and data processing services.
• Proven experience deploying and operationalizing Generative AI solutions, including foundation models, prompt engineering, evaluation methodologies, RAG architectures, and responsible AI controls.
• Strong understanding of cloud-native architecture, distributed systems, enterprise integrations, API ecosystems, and platform engineering principles.
• Experience establishing architecture governance, standards, and best practices across multiple delivery teams and business units.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders in large-scale transformation programs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to balance innovation, risk, and business value.
• Embodiment of the Cognizant Way to Lead: Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading the Business.
• Embodiment of Cognizant's Values: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do the Right Thing, and Own It.

These Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience in the Cards and Payments industry, including payment processing, transaction systems, fraud prevention, compliance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Expertise with cloud AI platforms such as Microsoft Azure AI, AWS AI/ML Services, or Google Cloud Vertex AI.
• Experience with MLOps, LLMOps, model lifecycle management, and AI governance frameworks.
• Familiarity with vector databases, knowledge retrieval systems, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures.
• Advanced stakeholder management and executive communication experience within global organizations.

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 December 13th , 2026.

We regularly assess market data to ensure we offer a competitive compensation package for our associates. The base salary for this position ranges between $89,550 – $141,500 per year. Where the successful candidate may fall within the range depends on relevant education, work and/or management experience and other business-related and job-necessary qualifications. This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual performance-based bonus, as well as benefits that support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

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.

Applicants for US based positions must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The company is unable to provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for US based positions.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email CareersNA2@cognizant.com for roles based in the Americas or CareersIndia2@cognizant.com for roles based in India.

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.