Frontier Engineer (Agentic_AI) - Canada

Cognizant; Mississauga, Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Frontier Engineer (AI/Agentic) to help build scalable, secure AI-enabled solutions for clients. You will collaborate with engineers, data scientists, and AI practitioners in a cross-functional pod within Cognizant Forward.

Role involves developing AI-enabled applications, evaluating outputs, and contributing to knowledge systems while applying responsible AI practices. Hybrid work in Mississauga or Toronto, ON, starting Sept 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field related to software or data.
• Experience through coursework, internships, co-ops, or projects.
• Interest in software development, cloud technologies, AI, data engineering, or automation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and ability to work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Use AI-assisted tools to build, test, and deploy scalable software solutions.
• Support AI-enabled applications, agentic workflows, and automation solutions.
• Evaluate AI outputs for quality, accuracy, performance, and relevance.
• Contribute to knowledge systems, retrieval workflows, testing, and monitoring.
• Apply responsible AI principles and continuously learn new tools.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Written and verbal communication

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Cyber Security, Mathematics, or related technical discipline

Tools

Python

R

MATLAB

Java

JavaScript

TypeScript

C#

Azure

AWS

Google Cloud

Job description

About the role

As a Frontier Engineer (AI/Agentic), you will make an impact by helping build scalable, cost-optimized, and secure AI-enabled solutions that reimagine business processes and deliver measurable outcomes for clients. You will be a valued member of the Cognizant Forward team and work collaboratively with experienced engineers, architects, data scientists, and AI practitioners in a small, cross‑functional pod.

About Cognizant Forward

The Cognizant Forward Team is at the forefront of how Cognizant is helping organizations navigate the AI era. Bringing together leading engineers, architects and innovators, the team demonstrates what is possible when emerging technologies are applied to real business challenges. Backed by more than 30 years of transformation experience, more than $1 billion invested in responsible AI capabilities, 67 patents and one of the world’s most extensively trained workforces on leading LLMs, Cognizant Forward reimagines how companies operate and unlock new possibilities for the future.

In this role, you will

• Use AI‑assisted and augmented development tools to build, test, debug, deploy, and enhance software solutions and scalable, secure systems.
• Support the development of AI‑enabled applications, agentic workflows, and automation solutions, including context and harness engineering.
• Help evaluate AI‑generated outputs for quality, accuracy, performance, and business relevance.
• Contribute to knowledge and context systems, retrieval workflows, testing, deployment, monitoring, documentation, and operational support.
• Apply responsible AI principles and engineering best practices while continuously learning new tools and technologies.

What you need to have to be considered

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Cyber Security, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
• Recent graduate or early‑career professional with technical experience gained through coursework, internships, co‑ops, research, military experience, certifications, hackathons, capstone projects, or personal projects.
• Demonstrated interest in software development, cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, data engineering, or automation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills, with strong written and verbal communication.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a team‑oriented environment.

These will help you stand out

• Experience with one or more programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, or C#.
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
• Familiarity with generative AI, large language models, prompt engineering, or AI‑assisted development tools.
• Exposure to APIs, automation platforms, databases, software development methodologies, or data engineering concepts.
• Familiarity with source control tools such as Git and collaborative development practices.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. 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.

Total Compensation

We regularly assess market data to ensure we offer a competitive compensation package for our associates. The base salary for this position is $100,000 per year. 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.

Location

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 Mississauga or Toronto, ON. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work‑life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

Start Date

New hires will start in September 2026. While we will attempt to honor candidate start date preferences, business need and position availability will determine final start date assignment. Exact start date will be communicated with enough time for you to plan effectively.

Additional disclosures

• Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in Canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
• Applications for this position are reviewed by our recruitment team without the use of artificial intelligence screening tools.

Post Closing Date

Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2026.