Enterprise Architect

Job Title: Enterprise Architect

Job Location: Hybrid- Charlotte, NC, USA

We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to drive the alignment of business strategy, technology platforms, and organizational capabilities. The Enterprise Architect will play a critical role in defining enterprise-wide architecture standards, guiding technology transformation initiatives, and ensuring the organization's business and IT objectives are achieved through scalable, secure, and innovative solutions.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual base salary for this position is between $120,000 to $140,000 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.

In this role, you will

• Develop and maintain enterprise architecture strategies, roadmaps, and target-state architectures aligned with business goals.

• Establish and govern enterprise architecture frameworks, standards, principles, and best practices (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman, FEAF).

• Lead the integration and alignment of business, application, data, and technology architectures across the organization.

• Partner with business and technology leaders to translate strategic initiatives into actionable architectural solutions.

• Evaluate current-state technologies, identify gaps, and recommend modernization opportunities to improve efficiency and business outcomes.

• Drive cloud adoption, infrastructure transformation, and digital innovation initiatives while ensuring scalability, security, and compliance.

• Assess emerging technologies, including AI/ML, automation, and cloud services, to determine business value and strategic fit.

• Conduct architecture reviews and provide governance oversight to ensure adherence to enterprise standards and reduce technical debt.

• Balance business priorities, costs, risks, performance, and security requirements when making architectural recommendations.

• Communicate complex technical concepts to executive stakeholders and influence strategic decision-making across the organization.

What you’ll need to succeed (required skills)

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.

• 10+ years of experience in IT, including enterprise architecture, solution architecture, infrastructure, or technology leadership roles.

• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman, or FEAF.

• Experience designing and governing large-scale enterprise technology ecosystems across cloud, applications, data, and infrastructure domains.

• Knowledge of cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

• Proven ability to develop technology roadmaps and lead enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent stakeholder management, executive communication, and influencing capabilities.

Preferred Skills

• TOGAF, AWS, Azure, or other architecture-related certifications.

• Experience within large enterprise or global organizations undergoing digital transformation.

• Familiarity with AI/ML, automation, data governance, and modern cloud-native architectures.

• Experience managing vendor relationships and evaluating enterprise technology investments.

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

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 a hybrid position requiring 3 days in office at client location in Charlotte, NC, USA.

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 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.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.