AWS Cloud Migration Architect

Cognizant; Des Moines (IA); Remote; USD 137,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking an experienced AWS Cloud Migration Engineer to lead large-scale VMware-to-AWS migrations from on-premises environments to AWS. This remote role requires strong VMware, AWS, scripting, and automation skills, with collaboration across networking, security, and application teams.

The candidate will assess infrastructure, plan migrations, configure AWS environments, and ensure post-migration stabilization and governance compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field (CS/IT/Engineering).
• 5+ years supporting VMware infrastructure environments.
• 3+ years designing and implementing AWS cloud solutions.
• Proven experience leading VMware-to-AWS migration projects.
• Strong scripting and automation skills (PowerShell, Python, PowerCLI).

Responsibilities

• Assess existing VMware vSphere environments and dependencies.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute migrations to AWS with MGN.
• Design and deploy AWS infrastructure components (VPC, EC2, IAM, S3, CloudWatch).
• Develop runbooks, validation plans, and cutover procedures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to minimize downtime during migrations.

Skills

Strong communication

Project leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Information Technology / Engineering

Tools

VMware vSphere

VMware vCenter

AWS

Terraform

AWS CloudFormation

PowerShell

Python

VMware PowerCLI

AWS Application Migration Service (MGN)

Job description

Cognizant is seeking an experienced AWS Cloud Migration Engineer with strong expertise in VMware infrastructure and AWS cloud technologies to lead and execute large-scale migration initiatives from on-premises VMware environments to AWS. The ideal candidate will be responsible for assessing existing infrastructure, planning and executing migrations, building AWS environments, automating deployment processes, and ensuring successful post-migration stabilization. This is a remote role.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US. Cognizant will not offer visa sponsorships now or anytime in the future.

Key Responsibilities

Assessment & Discovery

• Assess existing VMware vSphere environments, including ESXi, vCenter, clusters, networking, storage, and associated dependencies.
• Perform infrastructure and application discovery to identify migration candidates and readiness.
• Analyze application and workload characteristics and recommend appropriate migration strategies, including Rehost, Replatform, and Modernization approaches.
• Document application dependencies, migration waves, migration schedules, and cutover plans.

Migration Planning & Execution

• Plan, coordinate, and execute migrations of VMware virtual machines and workloads to AWS.
• Implement, configure, and manage AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) and associated migration tools.
• Execute pilot migrations and support migration factory operations at scale.
• Develop migration runbooks, rollback procedures, validation plans, and operational checklists.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, application, database, network, and security teams to coordinate migration activities.
• Perform migration cutovers and post-migration tasks while minimizing business disruption and downtime.

AWS Infrastructure Deployment

• Design, build, and configure AWS cloud infrastructure components, including:
  • Amazon VPC
  • Amazon EC2
  • AWS IAM
  • Security Groups
  • Route Tables
  • Elastic Load Balancers
  • Amazon S3
  • Amazon CloudWatch
  • AWS Systems Manager
• Support AWS landing zone validation and ensure network connectivity readiness.

Automation & Optimization

• Automate migration, provisioning, and infrastructure deployment activities using:
  • Terraform
  • AWS CloudFormation
  • PowerShell
  • Python
  • VMware PowerCLI
• Develop automation workflows and scripts to improve migration efficiency and consistency.
• Optimize AWS environments for performance, scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

Validation & Stabilization

• Perform migration validation activities, including:
  • Functional Testing
  • Performance Testing
  • Connectivity Testing
  • Disaster Recovery (DR) Validation
• Troubleshoot and resolve post-migration issues during hypercare and stabilization periods.
• Support operational handoff and knowledge transfer activities to operations and support teams.

Governance & Documentation

• Maintain migration schedules, status reports, dashboards, and risk registers.
• Participate in Change Advisory Board (CAB) reviews and change management processes.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, architecture diagrams, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and operational runbooks.
• Ensure adherence to organizational governance, security, and compliance requirements throughout migration activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting VMware infrastructure environments.
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience designing and implementing AWS cloud solutions.
• Proven experience leading or executing VMware-to-AWS migration projects.
• Strong understanding of cloud migration methodologies, assessment frameworks, and migration best practices.
• Experience using AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) and migration tooling.
• Hands‑on expertise with AWS networking, security, identity management, and compute services.
• Strong scripting and automation skills using PowerShell, Python, and VMware PowerCLI.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform and AWS CloudFormation.
• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Mandatory Technical Skills

VMware Technologies

• VMware vSphere
• ESXi
• VMware vCenter
• VMware Cluster Management
• DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler)
• High Availability (HA)
• VMware Networking & Storage
• VMware PowerCLI

AWS Technologies

• Amazon EC2
• Amazon VPC
• AWS IAM
• Security Groups
• Amazon Route 53
• AWS Application Migration Service (MGN)
• Amazon S3
• Amazon CloudWatch
• AWS Systems Manager

Automation & Infrastructure as Code

• Terraform
• AWS CloudFormation
• Python
• PowerShell
• Automation Frameworks and Scripting

Preferred Qualifications

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate or Professional certification.
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator or AWS Advanced Networking certification.
• Experience with large‑scale enterprise cloud transformation initiatives.
• Experience with hybrid cloud environments and landing zone implementations.
• Familiarity with ITIL processes, change management, and CAB governance.
• Experience supporting Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity initiatives.

The salary range for this role is between $ 137,000 and $161,000 depending on skills and qualifications of the candidate. Applications will be accepted till 10/06/2026.