Frontier Engineer (Agentic_AI)

Cognizant; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

401(k) plan and employer contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Frontier Engineer (AI/Agentic) to help build scalable, cost-optimized AI-enabled solutions for clients. You will work with a cross-functional pod of engineers, architects, data scientists, and AI practitioners within the Cognizant Forward team to deliver measurable outcomes.

The role emphasizes responsible AI, AI-assisted development, and automation, with a hybrid work model and multiple office locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, or related technical discipline.
• Recent graduate or early-career professional with project experience through coursework, internships, or capstones.
• Demonstrated interest in software development, cloud technologies, AI, data engineering, or automation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Use AI-assisted tools to build, test, deploy, and enhance scalable software solutions.
• Support AI-enabled applications, agentic workflows, and automation.
• Evaluate AI-generated outputs for quality and business relevance.
• Contribute to knowledge bases, retrieval workflows, testing, and monitoring.
• Apply responsible AI practices and continuously learn new tools.

Skills

Python

JavaScript

Java

TypeScript

C#

Git

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Azure

AWS

Google Cloud

Git

Job description

About the role

As a Frontier Engineer (AI/Agentic), you will make an impact by helping build scalable, cost-optimized, and secure AI-enabled solutions that reimagine business processes and deliver measurable outcomes for clients. You will be a valued member of the Cognizant Forward team and work collaboratively with experienced engineers, architects, data scientists, and AI practitioners in a small, cross-functional pod.

About Cognizant Forward

The Cognizant Forward Team is at the forefront of how Cognizant is helping organizations navigate the AI era. Bringing together leading engineers, architects and innovators, the team demonstrates what is possible when emerging technologies are applied to real business challenges. Backed by more than 30 years of transformation experience, more than $1 billion invested in responsible AI capabilities, 67 patents and one of the world's most extensively trained workforces on leading LLMs, Cognizant Forward reimagines how companies operate and unlock new possibilities for the future.

In this role, you will

• Use AI-assisted and augmented development tools to build, test, debug, deploy, and enhance software solutions and scalable, secure systems.
• Support the development of AI-enabled applications, agentic workflows, and automation solutions, including context and harness engineering.
• Help evaluate AI-generated outputs for quality, accuracy, performance, and business relevance.
• Contribute to knowledge and context systems, retrieval workflows, testing, deployment, monitoring, documentation, and operational support.
• Apply responsible AI principles and engineering best practices while continuously learning new tools and technologies.

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 3-4 days a week in a Cognizant office in Plano, TX; Teaneck, NJ; Bridgewater, NJ or client locations such as NY, San Francisco, DFW, Chicago, Charlotte, Boston, Phoenix, Atlanta or LA. 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

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Cyber Security, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
• Recent graduate or early-career professional with technical experience gained through coursework, internships, co-ops, research, military experience, certifications, hackathons, capstone projects, or personal projects.
• Demonstrated interest in software development, cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, data engineering, or automation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, with strong written and verbal communication.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a team-oriented environment.

These will help you stand out

• Experience with one or more programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, or C#.
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
• Familiarity with generative AI, large language models, prompt engineering, or AI-assisted development tools.
• Exposure to APIs, automation platforms, databases, software development methodologies, or data engineering concepts.
• Familiarity with source control tools such as Git and collaborative development practices.

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

• The annual salary for this position is $100,000.
• 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

• 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 hourly rate, other compensation, and benefits of 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.

Work Authorization

Due to the nature of this position, Cognizant cannot provide sponsorship for U.S. work authorization (including participation in a CPT/OPT program) for this role.

Cognizant is always looking for top talent. We are searching for candidates to fill future needs within the business. This job posting represents potential future employment opportunities with Cognizant. Although the position is not currently available, we want to provide you with the opportunity to express your interest in future employment opportunities with Cognizant. If a job opportunity that you may be qualified for becomes available in the future, we will notify you. At that time you can determine whether you would like to apply for the specific open position. Thank you for your interest in Cognizant career opportunities.

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.