Principal Solution Architect - Microsoft Azure

Cognizant; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant in London is seeking a Principal Solution Architect for Microsoft Azure to shape enterprise-scale modernization strategies and translate business priorities into secure, scalable Azure solutions.

You will lead architecture across Application Innovation, Cloud Platform, and Data & AI, guiding teams and governance, while collaborating with executives to define roadmaps, investment priorities, and reusable patterns.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading solution architecture for enterprise Azure modernization projects.
• Ability to define architecture strategies spanning applications, cloud platforms, data, and AI.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and establishing governance and reusable delivery frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of enterprise architecture strategies and modernization roadmaps across Azure transformation programs.
• Provide architectural leadership across Application Innovation, Cloud Platform, and Data & AI, integrating apps, infrastructure, and data into cohesive enterprise-scale solutions.
• Guide senior architects and multidisciplinary delivery teams by establishing governance frameworks and reusable patterns.

Skills

Solution architecture

Azure

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Tools

AKS

Terraform

Bicep

ARM templates

Job description

Principal Solution Architect, Microsoft Azure

About the role

As a Principal Solution Architect, you will make an impact by shaping enterprise-scale modernization strategies and translating complex business priorities into secure, scalable, and integrated Microsoft Azure solutions.

You will be a valued member of our Solution Architecture team and work collaboratively with clients, executive stakeholders, delivery leaders, and technical teams across Application Innovation, Cloud Platform, and Data & AI. You will provide strategic architectural leadership throughout the solution lifecycle, from early-stage pursuits and roadmap development through delivery and transformation.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development of enterprise architecture strategies and modernization roadmaps across complex Microsoft Azure transformation programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Provide architectural leadership across Application Innovation, Cloud Platform, and Data & AI, integrating applications, infrastructure, and data into cohesive enterprise-scale solutions.
• Guide senior architects and multidisciplinary delivery teams by establishing governance frameworks, reusable patterns, and architecture best practices that strengthen delivery quality.
• Partner with executive and technical stakeholders to shape solution strategies, architecture roadmaps, investment priorities, and proposals for strategic client engagements.
• Advance organizational capabilities through the development of reusable assets, modernization frameworks, and intellectual property that drive scalability, innovation, and delivery excellence.

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 regular attendance at a Cognizant office in London, United Kingdom, in addition to client-site collaboration as required. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through 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.

What you need to have to be considered

• Proven experience leading solution architecture and delivery for enterprise-scale modernization or digital transformation programs on Microsoft Azure.
• Demonstrated ability to define and execute architecture strategies spanning applications, cloud platforms, infrastructure, data, and AI.
• Strong expertise in one or more of the following domains: Application Innovation, Cloud Platform, or Data & AI.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional teams and establishing architecture governance, standards, and reusable delivery frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills, with the ability to articulate business value, modernization strategies, and technical outcomes.

These will help you stand out

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) and other relevant Microsoft certifications.
• Experience modernizing enterprise applications using .NET, Java, Node.js, or Python.
• Expertise in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps, DevOps, CI/CD, microservices, and API-first architectures.
• Experience designing enterprise Azure platforms, landing zones, governance frameworks, and Infrastructure as Code using Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates.
• Knowledge of Azure Data & AI services including Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks, Azure Data Lake, machine learning, and applied AI solutions.
• Experience delivering hybrid and multi-cloud architectures in large enterprise environments.

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.