Principal Full-Stack AI Engineer - Platform Architect

Cognizant; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

401(k) plan and contributions

Disability benefits

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Principal Full-Stack AI Engineer - Platform Architect to lead the design of a next-generation enterprise AI platform, focusing on core services, orchestration, and governance. You will drive architecture standards and mentor teams in cloud-native practices.

The role emphasizes leadership, delivery of scalable AI capabilities, and collaboration with enterprise stakeholders across NY offices on hybrid days.

Qualifications

• Proficient in Python and at least one of Go/Java/TypeScript.
• Experience building and operating large-scale production software platforms.
• Hands-on with Kubernetes, containers, Terraform, CI/CD, cloud-native architectures.

Responsibilities

• Design and build core architecture, frameworks, and shared services for enterprise AI platforms and agent ecosystems.
• Develop scalable AI capabilities including model orchestration, lifecycle management, governance, observability, and memory services.
• Create reusable tools and automation to accelerate AI agent development and deployment.
• Define best practices for cloud-native engineering, security, CI/CD, IaC, and platform reliability.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership through architecture reviews.

Skills

Python

Go

Java

TypeScript

Kubernetes

Terraform

CI/CD

Cloud-native architectures

Generative AI

LLMs

Agent frameworks

RAG

Security

Governance

Observability

Leadership

Tools

GCP

GKE

Vertex AI

BigQuery

IAM

MLflow

OpenTelemetry

Job description

The Principal Full-Stack AI Engineer - Platform Architect role at Cognizant will lead the design and development of a next-generation enterprise AI platform. The position focuses on architecting core platform services and scalable capabilities for building, deploying, and governing AI applications and agents, with a strong emphasis on technical leadership and engineering standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the core architecture, frameworks, and shared services that support enterprise AI platforms and agent ecosystems.
• Develop scalable AI capabilities including model orchestration, lifecycle management, governance, observability, and memory services.
• Create reusable tools, patterns, and automation to accelerate AI agent development and deployment.
• Define best practices for cloud-native engineering, security, CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and platform reliability.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership through architecture reviews and engineering excellence.

Requirements

• Extensive experience building and operating large-scale, production-grade software platforms.
• Strong expertise in Python and at least one additional language such as Go, Java, or TypeScript.
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, containers, Terraform, CI/CD, and cloud-native architectures.
• Deep knowledge of Generative AI, LLMs, agent frameworks, RAG, orchestration, and AI platform technologies.
• Experience implementing security, governance, observability, and enterprise-scale platform controls.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives and influence engineering strategy.

Technologies

• Python, Go, Java, TypeScript
• Kubernetes, Docker (containers), Terraform, CI/CD
• Generative AI, LLMs, agent frameworks, RAG
• Model orchestration, lifecycle management, governance, observability, memory services
• Cloud-native architectures, security
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): GKE, Vertex AI, BigQuery, IAM
• Multi-agent systems
• MLflow, OpenTelemetry
• Delta Lake, Iceberg
• Ray, DeepSpeed, vLLM

Location and Work Model

New York, NY (hybrid). The role requires working from a Cognizant or client office in New York, NY on designated days each week.

Compensation

• Annual salary range: USD 140,000 - 160,000 (depending on experience and other qualifications)
• Eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program based on performance, subject to the terms of applicable plans
• Application consideration deadline: 10/30/2026
• #LI-IK1

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

Additional Information

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.
• This role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future.

These Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience with Google Cloud Platform, including GKE, Vertex AI, BigQuery, and IAM.
• Expertise in multi-agent systems, AI governance, and model lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with MLflow, OpenTelemetry, Delta Lake, Iceberg, Ray, DeepSpeed, or vLLM.
• Experience building enterprise AI platforms or developer enablement frameworks.
• Strong mentoring and technical leadership experience.

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.