Cloud Data Migration Lead

Cognizant; Richmond (VA); Remote; USD 100,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Disability coverage

Parental leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Cloud Data Migration Lead to drive large-scale data modernization, migrating SAS workloads to cloud-native AWS and PySpark platforms. You will lead data integration efforts, establish governance, and mentor engineering teams across global delivery units.

The role emphasizes leadership, strong SQL and data modeling skills, and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure compliant, scalable cloud data solutions. Remote US-based role with flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in data warehousing, ETL development, and enterprise data integration.
• Strong hands-on experience with SAS, PySpark, and AWS Glue.
• Proven experience leading cloud data migration and modernization programs.
• Strong expertise with AWS services including S3, Glue, Lambda, IAM, CloudWatch, and Athena.
• Advanced SQL, data modeling, and data transformation skills.
• Experience implementing data quality, reconciliation, governance, and migration frameworks.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and collaborate with business and technology stakeholders.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the assessment, planning, and migration of legacy SAS programs, datasets, macros, and ETL workflows to AWS-based data platforms.
• Define migration strategies, standards, and best practices for converting SAS workloads into PySpark and AWS Glue solutions.
• Partner with data architects and engineering teams to design scalable cloud data lake and integration architectures.
• Establish data validation, reconciliation, and quality frameworks to ensure accuracy, compliance, and successful migration outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and governance to data engineers, ETL developers, architects, and QA teams throughout the migration lifecycle.

Skills

Data warehousing

ETL development

Enterprise data integration

SAS

PySpark

AWS Glue

AWS services

SQL

Data modeling

Data quality

Governance

CI/CD

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Tools

SAS

PySpark

AWS Glue

S3

Lambda

IAM

CloudWatch

Athena

Job description

About the role

As a Cloud Data Migration Lead, you will make an impact by leading large-scale data modernization initiatives and driving the migration of legacy SAS-based data platforms to cloud-native AWS and PySpark solutions. You will be a valued member of the Data Engineering team and work collaboratively with architects, data engineers, business stakeholders, project leadership, and global delivery teams to deliver scalable, secure, and high-quality data solutions.

In this role, you will

• Lead the assessment, planning, and migration of legacy SAS programs, datasets, macros, and ETL workflows to AWS-based data platforms.
• Define migration strategies, standards, and best practices for converting SAS workloads into PySpark and AWS Glue solutions.
• Partner with data architects and engineering teams to design scalable cloud data lake and integration architectures.
• Establish data validation, reconciliation, and quality frameworks to ensure accuracy, compliance, and successful migration outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and governance to data engineers, ETL developers, architects, and QA teams throughout the migration lifecycle.

Work model

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. 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

• Extensive experience in data warehousing, ETL development, and enterprise data integration.
• Strong hands-on experience with SAS, PySpark, and AWS Glue.
• Proven experience leading cloud data migration and modernization programs.
• Strong expertise with AWS services including S3, Glue, Lambda, IAM, CloudWatch, and Athena.
• Advanced SQL, data modeling, and data transformation skills.
• Experience implementing data quality, reconciliation, governance, and migration frameworks.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and collaborate with business and technology stakeholders.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

These will help you stand out

• Experience with Amazon Redshift.
• Previous experience leading SAS-to-PySpark migration initiatives at enterprise scale.
• Experience designing and implementing cloud-native data lake architectures.
• Expertise in performance tuning and optimization of PySpark workloads.
• Experience working with global delivery teams and vendor partners in complex transformation programs.

Even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed, 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.

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until October 27, 2026.

The annual salary for this position is between $ 100,000 - $ 117,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits 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.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.