Lead AI/ML Engineer - Remote Eligible

Lead AI/ML Engineer

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future

About the role

As a Lead AI/ML Engineer, you will make an impact by engineering modern businesses to improve everyday life. You will be instrumental in driving new product development within a collaborative team environment, writing production code in both run-time and build-time environments. You will be a valued member of the AI and Analytics team and work collaboratively with Managers, team members and clients.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and implement LLM-based applications tailored for in-house legal needs, ensuring they align with Cognizant's commitment to excellence and innovation
• Evaluate and maintain our data assets and training/evaluation datasets, ensuring they meet the highest standards of integrity and quality.
• Design and build pipelines for preprocessing, annotating, and managing legal document datasets, fostering a customer-centric mindset.
• Collaborate with legal experts to understand requirements and ensure models meet domain-specific needs, working as one team.
• Conduct experiments and evaluate model performance to drive continuous improvements, raising the bar in all deliverables.
• Evaluate AI/ML and GenAI outcomes, both human and automated, to ensure accuracy, reliability, and alignment with business objectives.

Work model: Remote

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. 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

Strong hands-on experience and foundations in machine learning, including dimensionality reduction, clustering, embeddings, and sequence classification algorithms.

Experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Hugging Face Transformers.

Practical experience in Natural Language Processing methods and libraries such as spaCy, word2vec, TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch, Flair, BERT.

Practical experience with large language models, prompt engineering, fine-tuning, and benchmarking using frameworks such as LangChain and LlamaIndex.

Strong Python background.

Knowledge of AWS, GCP, Azure, or other cloud platforms.

Understanding of data modeling principles and complex data models.

Proficiency with relational and NoSQL databases as well as vector stores (e.g., Postgres, Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, ChromaDB).

We're 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.

Salary and Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until April 10, 2026

The annual salary for this position is between $120,000 -$150,000 USD 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

What we offer

• The chance to work with impact. Here, you're empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
• Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
• The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other's experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
• Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
• True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.

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.

Other employment-related information

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, provincial 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.

Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you'll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.