Principal Architect

Cognizant; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

401(k) plan and contributions

Disability insurance

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Principal Architect to define and drive our enterprise data foundation across AI and digital transformation initiatives. This leadership role collaborates with executives, architects, and business leaders to deliver scalable, governed data solutions and measurable business value.

The role requires deep cloud data expertise, strong governance, and a track record of modernization programs in large organizations.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in enterprise data, analytics, AI, cloud, or technology architecture roles.
• 5+ years in principal architect or similar leadership roles.
• Proven track record designing enterprise-scale data foundations and modernization programs.
• Experience driving architecture strategy, governance, standards, and roadmaps.
• Deep expertise in modern cloud data platforms and metadata management.
• Experience leading large modernization initiatives including cloud migrations.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the enterprise architecture strategy and target-state Data Foundation roadmap.
• Lead architecture decisions across enterprise data platforms, governance frameworks, AI-enabled solutions, and modern data ecosystems.
• Partner with executive stakeholders to translate architecture investments into tangible business outcomes and operational efficiency.
• Establish governance standards and enterprise-wide best practices for consistency and scalability.
• Mentor architects and engineering leaders while promoting ownership and delivery excellence.

Skills

Enterprise data

Leadership

Cloud data platforms

Data governance

Job description

Principal Architect

About the role

As a Principal Architect, Forward-Deployed Engineering, you will make an impact by defining and driving the enterprise architecture strategy that enables large-scale data, AI, and digital transformation outcomes. You will be a valued member of the Data & AI organization and work collaboratively with executive stakeholders, architects, engineering teams, and business leaders to establish a scalable, governed, and outcome-driven Enterprise Data Foundation that delivers measurable business value.

This is a highly influential leadership role responsible for translating executive vision into enterprise architecture, modernization roadmaps, AI-enabled platforms, and operational excellence initiatives. The successful candidate will serve as the primary technical authority across the enterprise and help shape the future of data and AI capabilities at scale.

In this role, you will:

• Define and evolve the enterprise architecture strategy and target-state Data Foundation roadmap, ensuring alignment to business objectives and transformation priorities.
• Lead architecture decisions across enterprise data platforms, governance frameworks, AI-enabled solutions, and modern data ecosystems.
• Partner with executive stakeholders to translate architecture investments into tangible business outcomes, operational efficiencies, and strategic value.
• Establish architecture governance standards, review processes, and enterprise-wide best practices that drive consistency, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
• Mentor architects and engineering leaders while advancing a forward-deployed engineering culture focused on ownership, delivery excellence, and measurable outcomes.

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible and support a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs. Based on this role's business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring work in a Cognizant or client office in Plano, TX.

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

• 15+ years of experience in enterprise data, analytics, AI, cloud, or technology architecture roles.
• 5+ years of experience serving as a Principal Architect, Enterprise Architect, Distinguished Architect, or comparable enterprise leadership position.
• Proven track record designing and implementing enterprise-scale data foundations, modernization programs, or AI-enabled platforms within large organizations.
• Experience driving enterprise architecture strategy, governance, standards, and technology roadmaps.
• Deep expertise in modern cloud data platforms, data governance, metadata management, and enterprise architecture principles.
• Experience leading large-scale modernization initiatives involving legacy platform transformation, cloud migration, and business-critical technology programs.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and communicate complex technology strategies to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong leadership skills with experience mentoring architects, engineering teams, and technical leaders.

These will help you stand out

• Experience within Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Retail, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or similar enterprise industries.
• Expertise with Databricks Lakehouse architecture, Unity Catalog, Delta Live Tables, Mosaic AI, and related data platform technologies.
• Experience designing and governing enterprise AI, agentic AI, and multi-agent orchestration platforms.
• Strong understanding of FinOps, cloud cost optimization, enterprise data governance, lineage, and data quality frameworks.
• Experience evaluating build-versus-buy decisions and managing strategic technology partnerships.
• Ability to translate architecture decisions into business value, ROI, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation outcomes.

Applications will be accepted until August 21, 2026

The annual salary for this position is between $145,000- $170,000 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.