Consulting Principal, AI Architect

About Cognizant Consulting Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant's consulting practice—we're a global community of experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending deep industry knowledge with advanced technology capabilities, we deliver transformative solutions to Fortune 500 clients. About the role As a Consulting Principal - AI Architect , you will make an impact by designing and delivering advanced AI solutions focused on LLM-based systems, context engineering, and agentic workflows . You will be a key member of the AI & Data Consulting team and will collaborate closely with clients, delivery leads, and engineering teams to build scalable, enterprise-grade AI applications.. In this role, you will: Architect and implement enterprise-grade LLM solutions , including context architectures, memory models, and prompt engineering strategies Design and optimize RAG pipelines (retrieval, embeddings, re-ranking) with measurable evaluation frameworks for quality and performance Lead development of agentic workflows and AI-powered applications , integrating APIs, tools, and enterprise systems with strong guardrails Partner with business and technology stakeholders to connect AI solutions with enterprise platforms (ERP, CRM, data platforms) ensuring security and data integrity Drive technical leadership by mentoring teams, guiding solution design, and delivering high-impact client outcomes while ensuring scalability, reliability, and cost optimization Work model We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this position requires travel as needed and a hybrid work model , with time spent in a client or Cognizant office in the United States. We are committed to supporting a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs. The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting and may change based on project and client requirements. What you must have to be considered 10+ years of experience in software engineering, AI/ML, or consulting with strong expertise in Python-based production systems Proven hands-on experience with RAG architectures, vector databases, and LLM frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex, or equivalent) Strong expertise in prompt engineering, context design, and structured output patterns , including mitigation of prompt injection risks Experience designing and deploying agentic systems and AI integrations across enterprise environments Demonstrated leadership in consulting or client-facing roles, with the ability to drive delivery, mentor teams, and align AI solutions to business outcomes These will help you succeed Experience integrating AI solutions with enterprise platforms, identity systems (SSO/IAM), and secure data environments Familiarity with evaluation and observability tools (e.g., RAG evaluation frameworks, monitoring pipelines) Knowledge of enterprise SDLC practices , including CI/CD, governance, and production support Exposure to distributed systems and scalable architectures in cloud environments Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; research or thought leadership in AI/NLP is a plus 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. Compensation $165,000 - $194,000 This position is eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans Benefits Medical, dental, vision and life insurance 401(k) plan and contributions Employee stock purchase plan Employee assistance program 10 paid holidays plus PTO Paid parental leave and fertility assistance Learning and development certifications and programs