Solution Architect (Senior Manager), Utilities Industry

Cognizant Technology Solutions; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading information technology firm in the UK is seeking an experienced Architect to facilitate digital transformation strategies in the Utilities sector, focusing on water. The ideal candidate will have significant expertise in Azure and AWS, along with a strong track record in designing cloud solutions and mentoring teams. This pivotal role involves architectural assessments, stakeholder engagement, and driving innovation within the field.

Benefits

Collaborative work environment

Flexible travel opportunities

Supportive community

Qualifications

• Deep experience with cloud architectures, preferably Azure.
• Good years of experience in IT architecture.
• Exposure to customer service and asset management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture of end-to-end cloud solutions for water utilities.
• Guide and mentor engineering teams to ensure adherence to standards.
• Evaluate emerging technologies for solution enhancement.

Skills

Azure or AWS cloud architectures

Azure Data Platform

Data Lake

AI/ML solutions

Stakeholder management skills

Strong communication

Education

Microsoft Azure and/or AWS Architect certifications

TOGAF or any architecture certifications

Tools

Azure Databricks

Data Factory

Microsoft Fabric

Job description

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The Company

Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant has over 280,000 employees as of January 2021. Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 1000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.

Cognizant Consulting

At Cognizant, our consultants orchestrate the capabilities to truly change the game across strategy, design, technology and industry/functional knowledge to deliver insight at speed and solutions at scale. Our consulting services elevate the unique abilities and business aspirations of customers and employees and build relationships based on trust and value.

Energy & Utilities Consulting

Energy & utilities in the UK are going through a transformation journey with the focus on making data-centric Asset Investment decisions, enhanced customer experience (through digital and data enablement), sustainable and reliable infrastructure(green energy driven water treatment, fewer leakages etc.), digitalisation of the aging infrastructure, visualisation of their disparate decision support systems in a single pane of glass and most importantly disruption from innovative technologies entering the marketplace. Cognizant has engagements with multiple energy & utilities clients in the UK where we are helping them being customer obsessed and lead the transformation initiatives to build new offerings, solutions and innovative business models aligned to the market trends and regulatory commitments.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Architect with deep domain expertise in Utilities, preferably water, and a proven track record in designing and delivering transformation programs involving cloud, data and operational technologies. The ideal candidate will have deep experience with Azure or AWS cloud architectures, Azure Data Platform, Azure Databricks, and advanced analytics. You will play a pivotal role in shaping digital transformation strategies for water sector clients, architecting scalable, secure, and innovative solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Solution Architecture & Design

• Architecture experience to conduct as-is architecture assessment, develop target architecture and transition architectures
• Lead the architecture and design of end-to-end cloud solutions for water utilities, leveraging Azure and AWS platforms.
• Architect robust data platforms using Azure Data Services (Data Lake, Microsoft Fabric, Data Factory etc.) and Databricks.
• Design and oversee the implementation of AI/ML solutions for predictive analytics, asset management, and operational optimization.

Domain Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert in water utilities, advising clients on best practices, regulatory compliance, and digital transformation trends.
• Translate complex business requirements into scalable technical architectures.

Technical Leadership

• Guide and mentor engineering teams through solution delivery, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and best practices.
• Conduct architecture reviews, risk assessments, and performance tuning.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with business and IT stakeholders to define solution roadmaps and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Present architectural concepts and solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption to enhance solution capabilities.
• Drive continuous improvement in architecture frameworks, methodologies, and tools.

Required Skills & Experience:

Domain Expertise:

• Good years of experience in IT architecture & good years in the utilities sector.
• Experience of working in any process and asset heavy industries
• Exposure to the following business process areas - customer service, smart metering, asset management, asset operations

Cloud & Data:

• Extensive experience architecting solutions on Azure and AWS.
• Deep expertise with Azure Data Platform (Data Lake, Data Factory, Synapse, etc.) and Databricks.
• Proven ability to design secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud architectures.
• Any exposure to IoT, IIoT and Operational technologies would be an added advantage

Leadership & Communication:

• Strong leadership, mentoring, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Business Development and Mentorship
• We expect the person to not just deliver on a defined scope, but be able to shape up ideas and conversations into actionable proposals. The person will further be required to work with wider Cognizant team to monitor and mentor them to ensure quality products are being delivered. Clients expect Cognizant to lead not just on "Cognizant scope items" but provide the leadership and drive on client items as well.
• This is a central role within an account. Right from leading to planning to driving including business development will be essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Microsoft Azure and/or AWS Architect certifications.
• TOGAF or any other architecture certifications

Travel requirements:

• Will need to be flexible to travel to one or two accounts on a regular basis. Client engagement and relationship building is key. We expect the role to establish strong working relationship and working models with the client stakeholder group and not just travel for meetings.

The Cognizant community:

We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don't just dream of a better way - we make it happen.
• We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what's right.
• We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that's right for you.

About us:

Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World's Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer:

Compensation 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.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.