Cognizant Hiring For DWP Solution Architect

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation; Pune District, Chennai, Bengaluru; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 10,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant seeks a senior Digital Workplace Architect in Pune to shape the architecture strategy across multiple client accounts, guiding modernization from legacy to cloud, and ensuring security and governance.

You will lead multi-location transformation programs, oversee design reviews, and mentor a large team of architects and engineers. This role requires deep expertise in UEM, VDI, M365, and IT governance, with strong client-facing and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• 15-20+ years of experience with leadership in Digital Workplace/EUC.
• Proven track record leading large transformation programs ($5M+).
• Certifications preferred: Microsoft EA Expert, TOGAF, Citrix CCP-V, ITIL v4.

Responsibilities

• Define and own Digital Workplace architecture strategy and modernization roadmap.
• Lead large-scale transformation programs from on-prem to cloud and VDI deployments.
• Provide architectural governance across multiple workstreams and delivery pods.
• Act as trusted advisor to client CXOs and Cognizant leadership.
• Lead solutioning for large deals and RFPs including staffing and win strategy.
• Own vendor and OEM relationship management for licensing and roadmaps.

Skills

Enterprise-scale UEM architecture

Zero Trust security architecture

SCCM Intune migration

VDI/Cloud PC strategy

M365/Teams architecture

Vendor management (Microsoft, Citrix,‑

Education

Microsoft Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert

TOGAF (preferred)

Citrix CCP-V

ITIL v4

Tools

Nexthink

Lakeside

ControlUp

Exchange Online

Defender for Office 365

Azure / Intune

Job description

Role Summary

A senior technical leader responsible for the overall Digital Workplace architecture strategy across one or more large client accounts. Owns solution design, transformation roadmaps, governance, and technical leadership across device management, virtual workspace, application/image management, and collaboration platforms. Serves as the primary technical point of contact for client CTO/IT leadership on Digital Workplace modernization initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the Digital Workplace architecture strategy and modernization roadmap (cloud-first, Zero Trust, Modern Management adoption).
• Lead large-scale transformation programs: legacy-to-cloud migrations (SCCM to Intune, on-prem Exchange to Exchange Online, physical desktop to VDI/Cloud PC).
• Provide architectural governance review and approve HLD/LLD across multiple workstreams and delivery pods.
• Act as trusted advisor to client stakeholders; participate in steering committee discussions and technology roadmap planning.
• Lead solutioning for large deals/RFPs - architecture, staffing pyramid, commercial inputs, and win strategy alongside pre-sales.
• Own vendor and OEM relationship management (Microsoft, Citrix, VMware, Ivanti, etc.) for licensing, roadmap alignment, and escalations.
• Establish and enforce security, compliance, and governance frameworks across the Digital Workplace estate.
• Drive innovation - AI-enabled IT support (Copilot, virtual agents), automation, self-healing endpoints, experience analytics (Nexthink, DEX tools).
• Own P&L/delivery metrics (SLA/KPI, CSAT) for the Digital Workplace tower within the account.
• Build and mentor a multi-level team of architects, leads, and engineers (30-100+ FTEs typically).

Required Skillset

(In addition to all skills listed at the Manager level, at an architectural / strategic depth)

Device Management

• Enterprise-scale UEM architecture and migration strategy (SCCM Intune, hybrid co-management at scale)
• Zero Trust endpoint security architecture, Conditional Access strategy design
• Digital Experience Management/Monitoring tools (Nexthink, Lakeside, ControlUp)

Virtual Workspace

• Multi-platform VDI/DaaS strategy (Citrix, AVD, Horizon, Windows 365) - sizing, cost modeling, and platform selection
• Hybrid cloud workspace architecture, capacity planning at scale

App Packaging & Image Management

• Enterprise application packaging factory setup and governance (packaging SLAs, testing frameworks)
• Standardized image strategy across global business units, image governance councils

Collaboration Services

• M365 architecture at enterprise scale: tenant-to-tenant migrations, hybrid Exchange architecture, complex mail flow/security design (Defender for Office 365, DLP, compliance)
• Teams architecture including Teams Phone System, Direct Routing, Teams Rooms strategy
• Collaboration governance frameworks (data residency, retention, eDiscovery)

Experience & Qualifications

• 15-20+ years of experience, with at least 5+ years in an architect/leadership role in Digital Workplace/EUC
• Proven experience leading large transformation programs ($5M+ scope) and managing multi-location teams
• Certifications preferred: Microsoft Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert, TOGAF (preferred), Citrix CCP-V, ITIL v4

Leadership Expectations

• Executive presence with client CXOs and Cognizant leadership
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
• P&L ownership and delivery excellence accountability
• Talent development and career pathing for the practice