Principal Full-Stack AI Engineer - Platform Architect

Cognizant seeks a Principal Full-Stack AI Engineer - Platform Architect to lead the design and development of a next-generation enterprise AI platform. The role will architect core platform services and scalable AI capabilities that support building, deploying, and governing AI applications and agents.

Role Focus

You will shape the platform architecture for an enterprise AI environment, establishing engineering standards and delivering technical leadership. Responsibilities include building shared services, enabling scalable AI workflows, and mentoring engineers through architecture reviews and engineering excellence.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the core architecture, frameworks, and shared services for enterprise AI platforms and agent ecosystems.
• Develop scalable AI capabilities including model orchestration, lifecycle management, governance, observability, and memory services.
• Create reusable tools, patterns, and automation to accelerate AI agent development and deployment.
• Establish best practices for cloud-native engineering, security, CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and platform reliability.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership through architecture reviews and engineering excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience building and operating large-scale, production-grade software platforms.
• Strong expertise in Python and at least one additional language such as Go, Java, or TypeScript.
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, containers, Terraform, CI/CD, and cloud-native architectures.
• Deep knowledge of Generative AI, LLMs, agent frameworks, RAG, orchestration, and AI platform technologies.
• Experience implementing security, governance, observability, and enterprise-scale platform controls.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives and influence engineering strategy.

Technologies

• Python, Go, Java, TypeScript
• Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD, Docker (containers)
• Generative AI, LLMs, agent frameworks, RAG, model orchestration, lifecycle management, governance, observability, memory services
• Cloud-native architectures
• Security
• Google Cloud Platform: GKE, Vertex AI, BigQuery, IAM
• Multi-agent systems
• MLflow, OpenTelemetry, Delta Lake, Iceberg
• Ray, DeepSpeed, vLLM

Benefits

• 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

Work Model

Cognizant supports hybrid work for flexibility. This role requires working from a Cognizant or client office in New York, NY on designated days each week.

Compensation and Application Details

• Location: New York, NY (hybrid)
• Salary: USD 140,000 - 160,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Applicants will be accepted till 10/30/2026.
• Cognizant will only consider applicants who are legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.
• This role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.
• Eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to plan terms.
• #LI-IK1

Additional Considerations

• Experience with Google Cloud Platform, including GKE, Vertex AI, BigQuery, and IAM.
• Expertise in multi-agent systems, AI governance, and model lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with MLflow, OpenTelemetry, Delta Lake, Iceberg, Ray, DeepSpeed, or vLLM.
• Experience building enterprise AI platforms or developer enablement frameworks.
• Strong mentoring and technical leadership experience.

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.