Job description

Job Summary Cognizant's Intelligent Automation Practice is seeking a Senior Architect to design and deliver enterprise-grade agentic AI solutions. You will define reference architectures spanning pro-code agentic systems on Azure AI Foundry and low-code automation on Microsoft Power Platform and Copilot Studio — selecting the right pattern and platform for each use case and translating complex business requirements into production-ready intelligent agent solutions. What sets this role apart: You choose the right tool for the job — from low-code Copilot Studio agents to pro-code multi-agent orchestration on MAF — and build the patterns and ecosystems that make AI genuinely useful in enterprise contexts. Key Responsibilities • Design end-to-end reference architectures for agentic AI — covering agent topology, tool integration, memory, knowledge retrieval, and deployment across pro-code and low-code platforms. • Select and justify the appropriate agentic pattern — RAG retrieval, multi-agent handoff, reasoning loops, A2A workflows, or low-code automation — based on use-case requirements and team capabilities. • Lead engineering teams from local development and debugging through production deployment on Azure AI Foundry or Power Platform. • Guide platform and framework selection — Microsoft Agent Framework, Copilot Studio, Power Automate, LangGraph — with clear trade-off rationale per engagement. • Serve as the primary AI architecture authority in client engagements: discovery workshops, architecture reviews, and technical roadmap sessions. • Develop reusable practice IP: reference architectures, playbooks, and accelerators for rapid agentic PoC delivery. • Embed responsible AI guardrails, production readiness standards, and evaluation frameworks across all agentic deployments. Technical Requirements • Experience designing agentic patterns including RAG retrieval pipelines, multi-agent orchestration, reasoning and reflection loops, multi-turn conversation design, and agent-to-agent (A2A) communication. • Hands-on with Azure AI Foundry — Agent Service, Model Catalog, Playground, Foundry IQ knowledge bases, evaluation tooling, and connected resources. • Working knowledge of Microsoft Agent Framework (MAF) for multi-agent handoff workflows, tool integration, and hosted agent deployment on Azure. • Experience with Copilot Studio for building conversational agents and automations, and Power Platform architecture including Power Automate, Power Apps, and Dataverse integration. • Familiarity with AG-UI for streaming agent frontends and MCP for connecting agents to enterprise tools and data sources. • Working knowledge of Azure AI Search for hybrid retrieval, semantic reranking, and Foundry IQ integration. • Proficient in Python; working knowledge of the Azure AI Foundry SDK and Azure OpenAI SDK for agent creation and tool dispatch. • Familiarity with Azure infrastructure for agentic deployments: Container Apps, Managed Identity, and Azure CLI for deployment pipelines • Willingness to travel to client location on a need basis Qualifications • 8+ years of cloud solution architecture; 2+ years designing and delivering agentic AI systems in production or near-production environments. • Demonstrable experience with both pro-code agentic systems (Azure AI Foundry, MAF) and low-code automation platforms (Copilot Studio, Power Platform). • Strong understanding of LLM capabilities and limitations: tool call reliability, context management, grounding, and responsible AI principles. • Azure certifications: AI-102 and AZ-900 required; AZ-305 and PL-200 (Power Platform) preferred. • Client-facing delivery experience in a consulting or professional services context. • Preferred: Agent 365 and Microsoft Control System, GitHub Copilot or Claude Code Salary and Other Compensation : The salary for this position is between $160,000 - $200,000k 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. Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship now or at any time in the future. About Cognizant: Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant. Additional employment information Compensation 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. Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview. Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email CareersNA2@cognizant.com for roles based in the Americas or CareersIndia2@cognizant.com for roles based in India.

Requirements

Must-haves

Design end-to-end reference architectures for agentic AI — covering agent topology, tool integration, memory, knowledge retrieval, and deployment across pro-code and low-code platforms.
Select and justify the appropriate agentic pattern — RAG retrieval, multi-agent handoff, reasoning loops, A2A workflows, or low-code automation — based on use-case requirements and team capabilities.
Lead engineering teams from local development and debugging through production deployment on Azure AI Foundry or Power Platform.
Guide platform and framework selection — Microsoft Agent Framework, Copilot Studio, Power Automate, LangGraph — with clear trade-off rationale per engagement.
Serve as the primary AI architecture authority in client engagements: discovery workshops, architecture reviews, and technical roadmap sessions.
Develop reusable practice IP: reference architectures, playbooks, and accelerators for rapid agentic PoC delivery.
Embed responsible AI guardrails, production readiness standards, and evaluation frameworks across all agentic deployments.
Technical Requirements
Experience designing agentic patterns including RAG retrieval pipelines, multi-agent orchestration, reasoning and reflection loops, multi-turn conversation design, and agent-to-agent (A2A) communication.
Hands-on with Azure AI Foundry — Agent Service, Model Catalog, Playground, Foundry IQ knowledge bases, evaluation tooling, and connected resources.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Agent Framework (MAF) for multi-agent handoff workflows, tool integration, and hosted agent deployment on Azure.
Experience with Copilot Studio for building conversational agents and automations, and Power Platform architecture including Power Automate, Power Apps, and Dataverse integration.
Familiarity with AG-UI for streaming agent frontends and MCP for connecting agents to enterprise tools and data sources.
Working knowledge of Azure AI Search for hybrid retrieval, semantic reranking, and Foundry IQ integration.
Proficient in Python; working knowledge of the Azure AI Foundry SDK and Azure OpenAI SDK for agent creation and tool dispatch.
Familiarity with Azure infrastructure for agentic deployments: Container Apps, Managed Identity, and Azure CLI for deployment pipelines
Willingness to travel to client location on a need basis
8+ years of cloud solution architecture; 2+ years designing and delivering agentic AI systems in production or near-production environments.
Demonstrable experience with both pro-code agentic systems (Azure AI Foundry, MAF) and low-code automation platforms (Copilot Studio, Power Platform).
Strong understanding of LLM capabilities and limitations: tool call reliability, context management, grounding, and responsible AI principles.
Client-facing delivery experience in a consulting or professional services context.
Benefits : Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

Nice-to-haves

Azure certifications: AI-102 and AZ-900 required; AZ-305 and PL-200 (Power Platform) preferred.
Preferred: Agent 365 and Microsoft Control System, GitHub Copilot or Claude Code

Application prep

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Keywords to mirror

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Platform: cognizant
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave