Lead AI/ML Developer

Cognizant; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Lead AI/ML Developer in Houston, onsite. You will design, build, deploy, and govern AI/ML and predictive analytics solutions using Vertex AI, Gemini, Claude, and modern MLOps.

You will lead a development squad, mentor peers, and ensure production readiness and governance across models. You will collaborate with stakeholders to define use cases, estimate effort, and align roadmaps while integrating insights into BI reporting for business users.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in data and analytics including 5+ years of hands-on AI/ML development.
• 2+ years leading a developer pod and delivering models into production.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, deploy, and manage AI/ML, forecasting, predictive analytics, and Generative AI solutions using GCP Vertex AI, Gemini, Claude, and modern MLOps frameworks.
• Lead the AI/ML development squad with design reviews, delivery quality, and technical mentoring.
• Own solution design for AI/ML use cases from prototype to production.
• Partner with the engagement lead on use‑case discovery, estimation, and roadmap planning.
• Integrate ML outputs into the BI layer so business users can consume insights in existing reporting.
• Ensure security, governance, and responsible‑AI compliance across all models.

Job description

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

Lead AI/ML Developer

About the role

As a Lead AI/ML Developer, you will make an impact by designing, developing, deploying, and managing AI/ML, forecasting, predictive analytics, and Generative AI solutions using GCP Vertex AI, Gemini, Claude, and modern MLOps frameworks. You will be a valued member of our data and analytics team and work collaboratively with the engagement lead, business stakeholders, and the broader AI/ML development squad to build scalable, production-ready AI solutions and business-facing analytics products.

In this role, you will:

• Design, develop, deploy, and manage AI/ML, forecasting, predictive analytics, and Generative AI solutions using GCP Vertex AI, Gemini, Claude, and modern MLOps frameworks.
• Lead the AI/ML development squad, including design, code review, delivery quality, and technical mentoring.
• Own solution design for AI/ML use cases and drive them from prototype to production.
• Partner with the engagement lead on use‑case discovery, estimation, and roadmap planning.
• Integrate ML outputs into the BI layer so business users can consume insights within existing reporting.
• Ensure security, governance, and responsible‑AI compliance across all delivered models.

Work model:

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work‑life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring 5 days a week in a client office in Houston, Texas.

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

• 10+ years of experience in data and analytics, including 5+ years of hands‑on AI/ML development and 2+ years leading a developer pod, with experience delivering models into production at enterprise scale.
• Hands‑on experience with GCP Vertex AI, including Vertex AI Pipelines, Model Registry, and Endpoints, along with Gemini and Claude models, prompt engineering, and RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation).
• Experience building forecasting and predictive analytics models (ARIMA, SARIMA, time series), as well as classification and regression models.
• Strong programming skills in Python and PySpark, with experience in TensorFlow and PyTorch.
• Experience with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipeline automation, Artifact Registry, and MLOps/model lifecycle management.
• Strong SQL and semantic modeling skills, with experience ensuring data quality and reconciliation for analytics consumption.

These will help you stand out

• Experience with Streamlit development and AngularJS integration.
• Experience with Power BI, Looker, or Tableau, translating model outputs into decision‑ready dashboards and KPIs.
• Experience with model monitoring, governance, and production support.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways.

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.