Principal Solutions Architect

Cognizant; Portsmouth (NH); Hybrid; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Principal Data & Solutions Architect to lead data architecture, AI, and modern data platforms. You will design enterprise-scale data ecosystems, integrate Generative AI, and guide distributed teams across data engineering and AI development.

The role emphasizes collaboration with product owners and stakeholders, cloud-native architectures, and governance. Hybrid work with office locations in Boston or Portsmouth and surrounding areas is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Solution Architecture, or related disciplines within large enterprise environments.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing solutions within the Snowflake Data Cloud.
• Deep expertise in Snowflake architecture, Snowpark, Streams & Tasks, secure data sharing, and Snowflake Cortex capabilities.
• Strong experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale ETL/ELT pipelines using technologies such as dbt, Airflow, Spark, Python, or Scala.
• Proven experience working with Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI solutions, LangChain, LlamaIndex, vector databases, and multi-agent architectures.
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise data modeling methodologies, including Data Vault 2.0 and dimensional modeling (Kimball).
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms and modern cloud-native architectures across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• Experience designing, delivering, and supporting highly visible, complex technology solutions.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain architectural concepts to both technical teams and executive stakeholders.
• Experience working within Agile and Scrum delivery environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement enterprise-scale data architectures that are secure, scalable, resilient, and aligned with business objectives.
• Define, develop, and govern reusable data products that support multiple business functions across the organization.
• Architect complex ETL/ELT pipelines capable of processing structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data from diverse enterprise sources.
• Integrate Generative AI capabilities into enterprise data products and workflows to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Design, build, and orchestrate AI agents and intelligent automation solutions that automate complex, multi-step business processes.
• Leverage Snowflake Cortex capabilities including native AI, vector search, machine learning functions, and large language models to deliver advanced analytical solutions.
• Architect and implement Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks that securely connect enterprise data with AI platforms while maintaining governance and access controls.
• Collaborate with product owners, engineering teams, and business stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into technical roadmaps and scalable architectures.
• Establish engineering standards and best practices for data modeling, ETL design, AI implementations, prompt engineering, and agentic workflows.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise security, privacy, governance, and regulatory requirements across all data and AI solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and architectural guidance to distributed data engineering and AI development teams.

Skills

Enterprise data architecture

Leadership

Communication

Agile/Scrum

Generative AI / LLMs

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS / Data Eng / Info Systems

Tools

Snowflake

Snowpark

dbt

Airflow

Spark

Python

Scala

LangChain

LlamaIndex

Vector databases

Job description

This position is open only to visa-independent candidates and will not support visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Principal Data & Solutions Architect

About the Role

As a Principal Data & Solutions Architect, you will make an impact by serving as a technical visionary and hands-on leader responsible for designing enterprise-scale data architectures, modern data products, and next-generation AI-powered solutions. You will be a valued member of the Data & AI Architecture team and work collaboratively with product owners, business stakeholders, data engineers, data scientists, and technology leaders to deliver scalable, secure, and intelligent data platforms.

In this role, you will lead the design of modern cloud-native data ecosystems while pioneering the integration of Generative AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and intelligent agent frameworks that enable advanced analytics, automation, and business transformation initiatives.

In This Role, You Will

• Design and implement enterprise-scale data architectures that are secure, scalable, resilient, and aligned with business objectives.
• Define, develop, and govern reusable data products that support multiple business functions across the organization.
• Architect complex ETL/ELT pipelines capable of processing structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data from diverse enterprise sources.
• Integrate Generative AI capabilities into enterprise data products and workflows to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Design, build, and orchestrate AI agents and intelligent automation solutions that automate complex, multi-step business processes.
• Leverage Snowflake Cortex capabilities including native AI, vector search, machine learning functions, and large language models to deliver advanced analytical solutions.
• Architect and implement Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks that securely connect enterprise data with AI platforms while maintaining governance and access controls.
• Collaborate with product owners, engineering teams, and business stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into technical roadmaps and scalable architectures.
• Establish engineering standards and best practices for data modeling, ETL design, AI implementations, prompt engineering, and agentic workflows.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise security, privacy, governance, and regulatory requirements across all data and AI solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and architectural guidance to distributed data engineering and AI development teams.

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 to 4 days per week in a client or Cognizant office located in Boston, Massachusetts; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; or nearby locations.

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 or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Solution Architecture, or related disciplines within large enterprise environments.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing solutions within the Snowflake Data Cloud.
• Deep expertise in Snowflake architecture, Snowpark, Streams & Tasks, secure data sharing, and Snowflake Cortex capabilities.
• Strong experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale ETL/ELT pipelines using technologies such as dbt, Airflow, Spark, Python, or Scala.
• Proven experience working with Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI solutions, LangChain, LlamaIndex, vector databases, and multi-agent architectures.
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise data modeling methodologies, including Data Vault 2.0 and dimensional modeling (Kimball).
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms and modern cloud-native architectures across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• Experience designing, delivering, and supporting highly visible, complex technology solutions.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain architectural concepts to both technical teams and executive stakeholders.
• Experience working within Agile and Scrum delivery environments.

These Will Help You Stand Out

• Snowflake certifications, including Snowflake Certified Advanced: Data Architect or equivalent credentials.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Architect, or comparable cloud architecture certifications.
• Experience implementing Data Fabric, Data Mesh, and enterprise data modernization initiatives.
• Experience deploying enterprise AI orchestration platforms and intelligent agent solutions.
• Knowledge of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), enterprise search, vector databases, and knowledge management architectures.
• Financial Services or Insurance industry experience.
• Experience leading globally distributed data engineering and AI teams.
• Strong consulting and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience building reusable enterprise data products and AI-powered business solutions at scale.

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.

Salary and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is anticipated to be between $155,000 and $175,000, depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, skills, and other job-related factors.

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 a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial security of our associates and their families, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) plan and company contributions
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid holidays and paid time off (PTO)
• Paid parental leave and fertility assistance programs
• Learning and development programs, certifications, and career advancement opportunities
• Wellness and mental health resources
• Career growth and internal mobility opportunities

Benefits may vary by location and employment status and are subject to change.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted until October 30, 2026.

Cognizant reserves the right to close this posting earlier based on application volume, business needs, or hiring timelines.