AI Forward Deployed Engineer

Overview:

Blend client‑oriented engineering with rapid experimentation to deliver measurable business transformation. Implement and improve AI solutions on the ground with customers, from prototypes to hardened production systems. Within Cognizant, leverage our partner ecosystem and Responsible AI standards to scale impact by owning end‑to‑end, outcome‑oriented engagements with clients.

Location: Any large metropolitan area in US.

Responsibilities

· Engage diverse stakeholders to frame problems, define outcomes, and prioritize measurable innovation bets.

· Lead client workshops, discovery sprints, and demonstrations using design thinking and human‑centered practices.

· Translate ambiguous client needs into technical roadmaps, MVP definitions, and iterative delivery backlogs.

· Coach client engineers, create enablement materials, and transition capabilities to sustained product teams.

· Ship value incrementally; measure outcomes, retire waste, and scale successful patterns across accounts.

· Design and build data products, APIs, and modular services on hyperscaler platforms.

· Wrangle large, messy datasets; build pipelines, quality checks, and governance aligned to compliance.

· Align with clients on DevSecOps automation, observability, and incident response for reliable, maintainable, secure operations at scale.

· Prototype rapidly leveraging your software engineering skills; harden prototypes into scalable production ready systems.

· Create intuitive user experiences and dashboards that drive adoption, insight, and operational decision‑making.

· Partner with Cognizant partners and other industry ecosystem teams to accelerate solutions using proven accelerators.

· Contribute to sales pursuits, proposals, and case studies with credible technical storytelling that wins.

· Embed Responsible AI, privacy‑by‑design, and security‑by‑default controls per Cognizant and client standards throughout lifecycle

Qualifications

· M.S. or Ph.D. in computer science, engineering, mathematics, other STEM fields or equivalent practical experience preferred.

· 20+ years of experience successfully delivering production software or data systems in client‑facing, cross‑functional environments.

· 15+ years of experience in one of the following industry categories preferred: 1) Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Capital Markets; 2) Health care, Life Sciences; 3) Retail & Consumer Goods; 4) Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy, and Utilities

· Demonstrated and consistent ability facilitating workshops, influencing executives, and converting ambiguity into actionable backlogs.

· Proficiency with Python, Java, TypeScript, SQL, and modern front‑end frameworks and tooling.

· Experience building data pipelines, integrating APIs, and modeling data for analytics and operations.

· Hands‑on with cloud services on Azure, AWS, or GCP, including networking and security.

· Willingness to travel 30-40% of time for client deployments and critical collaboration.

Top Reasons to Join Our Team

Excellent compensation/benefits. A strong financial incentive package that includes a solid base salary with a highly attractive bonus plan. Further incentives include award programs, club trips, and excellent benefits package. Wide exposure to industry, product, and functional standard methodologies; as well as outstanding teams supporting your sales pursuits. Encouraging management team that rewards initiative & success. Exciting, industry leading practice where you can truly build a long-term career. Congenial, collaborative, and goal-oriented environment; the opportunity to work with and learn from a highly experienced team of business professionals. Tremendous opportunities for growth with a real career path promoting career advancement.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $190,000 --$ 220,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual bonus program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits 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.

A Good fit for the Cognizant culture

A person who possesses a true passion for changing organizations for the better, and desires to do so within a goal, yet professional atmosphere filled with business professionals who all manifest a belief in partnership, innovation, and excellence. Our “Cultural Value Drivers” are well-known and clearly communicated within the organization: Open, Visible, Motivated, Empowered, Opportunity-Filled, Flexible & Collaborative.

Work Authorization

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or any time in the future.