Field CTO AI Customer Engineering

About the role

Cognizant is seeking a Field CTO AI Customer Engineering Leader to serve as the executive technology spokesperson and technology champion for Cognizant’s AI market unit. This role involves driving exponential growth, establishing Cognizant as a recognized leader in AI, and collaborating with internal stakeholders, partners, and clients to define and shape Cognizant’s AI technology strategy and offerings.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic advisory and thought leadership studies to understand key technology trends, capabilities, and priorities across the AI landscape.
• Engage C-level staff, architects, senior leaders, and prospects at industry conferences, user groups, and partner events to share thought-leadership and deep industry knowledge.
• Identify and champion tech debt elimination and modernization with client technology leaders to create value and enable transformation.
• Identify and champion tech debt elimination and modernization with client technology leaders to create value and enable transformation.
• Collaborate with external entities like industry and sourcing analysts, advisors, consulting firms, design agencies, and ecosystem partners, particularly hyper scalers and platform firms, to identify and shape client opportunities.
• Work with the market commercial and sales teams during the sales cycle to communicate with senior management team at appropriate junctures during the pursuit and facilitate strategic pursuit decisions to improve win probability.
• Strategize solution definition and solution defense along with extended Cognizant teams to increase pursuit success.
• Build a team of high-performing Distinguished Sales Engineers and lead them to build solutions that drive differentiation for Cognizant.
• Lead a team of high-performing individuals to build Continuous coaching and sponsoring of sales engineering leaders ensuring career discussions and growth.
• Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead, which means operating with Personal Leadership, Organizational Leadership, and Business Leadership.

Requirements

• CIO/CTO level candidate with experience engaging, advising, and/or directly leading complex technology organizations including C-suite interaction.
• Proven strong functional and technology background and ability to deliver technology transformation in Fortune 500 organizations.
• Minimum of 20+ years of industry experience in a Field Sales Engineering Role in a Hyperscaler or a Software company.
• CTO of an industry segment or a service in line in a consulting firm will also be considered.
• Experience of leading diverse teams, experience of cultivating and collaborating in a multi-cultural environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Embodiment of the Cognizant Way to Lead: Leading Self, Leading Others, & Leading the Business.
• These will help you succeed as a Trusted CIO/CTO partner providing strategic AI guidance, modernization leadership, and executive-level thought leadership.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale AI and technology transformations across complex enterprise environments.
• 20+ years of experience across hyperscalers, enterprise software, or consulting shaping AI use cases through strong partner ecosystems.
• Leads AI architecture and platform strategy while enabling sales and delivery teams to drive differentiated, scalable solutions.
• Builds and mentors high-performing, diverse technical teams and drives solution definition and deal success in complex pursuits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 20+ years of industry experience in a Field Sales Engineering Role in a Hyperscaler or a Software company.
• CTO of an industry segment or a service in line in a consulting firm will also be considered.
• Experience of leading diverse teams, experience of cultivating and collaborating in a multi-cultural environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Embodiment of the Cognizant Way to Lead: Leading Self, Leading Others, & Leading the Business.
• These will help you succeed as a Trusted CIO/CTO partner providing strategic AI guidance, modernization leadership, and executive-level thought leadership.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale AI and technology transformations across complex enterprise environments.
• 20+ years of experience across hyperscalers, enterprise software, or consulting shaping AI use cases through strong partner ecosystems.
• Leads AI architecture and platform strategy while enabling sales and delivery teams to drive differentiated, scalable solutions.
• Builds and mentors high-performing, diverse technical teams and drives solution definition and deal success in complex pursuits.

Skills

• Strong understanding of AI technologies and trends.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead and mentor a diverse team.
• Experience in leading complex technology organizations and delivering technology transformation in Fortune 500 organizations.
• Proven ability to collaborate with external entities and ecosystem partners.
• Experience in defining and defending solutions in complex pursuit scenarios.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

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

Pay

The annual salary for this position is between $305,000 - $435,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Schedule

This is an onsite position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office. 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.

Application Instructions

We are excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. 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.

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.