Enterprise Architect, Telco Consulting

The Company

Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant has over 350,000 employees as of January 2024. Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 1000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.

Cognizant Consulting

At Cognizant, our consultants orchestrate the capabilities to truly change the game across strategy, design, technology and industry/functional knowledge to deliver insight at speed and solutions at scale. Our consulting services elevate the unique abilities and business aspirations of customers and employees and build relationships based on trust and value.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Telco Enterprise Architect with a deep understanding of BSS, strong working knowledge across OSS, and broad technical insight across Network domains (Mobile, Broadband, IP/Transport, and Fixed Line). The ideal candidate will bring thought leadership, excellent communication skills, and hands-on expertise in AI, Generative AI, and Agentic AI frameworks, enabling them to guide end-to-end digital transformation initiatives.

This role requires a strategic thinker who can connect business objectives with technology architectures, design future-state blueprints, and influence C-level stakeholders within a large telecom environment.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Architecture & Strategy

• Develop enterprise-level architecture blueprints covering BSS, OSS, Network, and cross-domain integrations.

• Drive the creation of target operating models, capability maps, process architectures, and maturity assessments.

• Lead modernization initiatives across legacy BSS/OSS, cloud migration, network transformation, and digital customer experience.

• Champion architectural governance, solution review boards, and alignment to enterprise standards.

BSS / OSS Architecture

• Architect end-to-end BSS processes: Customer Management, CRM, Order Management, Billing/Charging (OCS/OFCS), Product Catalogue, Digital Channels.

• Strong understanding of OSS domains: Service Assurance, Service Fulfilment, Inventory, Orchestration, and Network Management.

• Expertise in TM Forum standards (eTOM, TAM, SID, ODA) and Open APIs.

• Guide rationalisation of systems and design of convergent service architectures.

Network Architecture

• Good understanding of Mobile (4G/5G), Fixed Line, Broadband, and Transport Network architectures.

• Awareness of network functions: RAN, Core, IMS, SDN/NFV, Transport, and network slicing concepts.

• Work closely with network teams to enable network-to-IT integrations and cloud-native network architectures.

AI/GenAI/Agentic AI Leadership

• Identify opportunities for AI and Agentic AI infusion across BSS, OSS, customer service, operations, field services, and network operations.

• Design AI-enabled architecture patterns (decisioning, autonomous agents, automation, predictive operations).

• Work with data teams to define data models, AI pipelines, governance, and security patterns.

• Evaluate AI tools, LLMs, and agent frameworks suitable for telco enterprise environments.

• Provide thought leadership and influence stakeholders on AI transformation roadmaps.

Delivery & Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with product owners, solution architects, engineering teams, vendors, and system integrators.

• Support RFPs, technical evaluations, vendor assessments, and architecture governance processes.

• Present architectural recommendations to senior executives and steer decision-making with clear business value.

• Translate complex technical landscapes into business-friendly narratives.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Competencies

• 10+ years of experience in telecom architecture roles.

• Strong expertise in BSS architecture + working knowledge in OSS, Telco Networks, Cloud, APIs.

• Practical experience with cloud-native systems, microservices, Kubernetes, integration patterns, and event-driven architecture.

• Exposure to AI/GenAI frameworks, RAG, vector databases, LLMOps, MLOps, and ideally multi-agent/agentic architectures.

• Familiarity with industry tools (ServiceNow, Netcracker, Amdocs, Ericsson, Nokia, Salesforce, AWS/Azure/GCP).

Business & Leadership Competencies

• Strong communication and stakeholder influencing skills.

• Ability to lead cross-domain architectural discussions.

• Thought leadership in digital transformation, AI-driven telco operations, and cloud-native evolutions.

• Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking.

Preferred Qualifications

• TOGAF, TM Forum, Cloud certifications (AWS/Azure/GCP).

• Experience working with major telcos or global system integrators.

• Exposure to SAFe Agile environments.

Why This Role Is Strategic

This position plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of a digital, AI-native telecom enterprise, driving convergence across IT, Network, and AI landscapes, and enabling the next generation of autonomous operations and customer experiences.

The Cognizant community:
We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don’t just dream of a better way – we make it happen.
• We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what’s right.
• We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that’s right for you.

About us:
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com

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 with your request and contact information.

Disclaimer:
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.