Generative AI Developer

Senior Developer – AI/ML & Generative AI (Airflow, Python, MLOps)

Location: Hybrid (Chicago, IL)

Experience: 6–10+ years About Cognizant

Cognizant is a leading global professional services company, helping organizations modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform customer experiences. We leverage expertise in AI, cloud, and digital engineering to deliver measurable outcomes across industries. Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Developer with strong expertise in data engineering, AI/ML, and Generative AI to build scalable, production-grade solutions.

This role focuses on developing Airflow-orchestrated pipelines, operationalizing machine learning models, and building reusable AI frameworks that drive smarter business decisions and deliver meaningful impact. Key Responsibilities Data Pipelines & Workflow Orchestration

Design and implement robust data and model pipelines using Apache Airflow

Orchestrate complex workflows ensuring reliability, scalability, and performance across hybrid environments AI & Generative AI Development

Develop Generative AI services to transform enterprise data into insights and content

Ensure solutions meet accuracy, safety, and compliance standards

Apply prompt engineering and model integration techniques in business applications ML Engineering & Productionization

Build production-ready machine learning solutions from experimental prototypes

Develop scalable services with monitoring, logging, and fault tolerance

Ensure consistent delivery of value to downstream systems MLOps & Automation

Implement MLOps best practices , including automated training, evaluation, deployment, and rollback

Enhance development velocity through CI/CD automation and lifecycle management Data Engineering & Feature Management

Build and maintain feature pipelines and data preparation processes

Ensure high-quality, governed, and traceable data for model training and inference Observability & Reliability

Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting for pipelines and models

Detect and resolve issues related to data quality, model drift, and system performance Collaboration & Delivery

Partner with data scientists, engineers, and product stakeholders to translate ideas into scalable solutions

Contribute to backlog prioritization and iteration planning Standards, Governance & Best Practices

Ensure security, privacy, and responsible AI principles are embedded in solutions

Promote best practices in version control, testing, and CI/CD Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Evaluate emerging tools in Generative AI and MLOps

Support experimentation through A/B testing and model comparison frameworks Mentorship & Leadership

Mentor junior developers on Airflow, debugging, and deployment strategies

Foster a collaborative and growth-oriented team environment Required Qualifications

Strong experience in Python-based development for data and AI applications

Hands-on expertise with Apache Airflow (DAG design, operators, scheduling optimization)

Solid understanding of machine learning concepts (supervised/unsupervised learning, evaluation, feature engineering)

Practical experience with MLOps practices (packaging, deployment, monitoring, lifecycle management)

Experience implementing Generative AI solutions (prompt design, model integration)

Strong SQL and data modeling skills for high-performance data pipelines Preferred Qualifications

Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)

Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)

Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

Knowledge of Responsible AI frameworks and governance models

Experience working in enterprise-scale, hybrid environments

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills Certifications (Preferred)

TensorFlow Developer Certification

AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty

Equivalent certifications in AI/ML or MLOps Compensation

Base Salary Range: $120,000 – $130,000 per year

Final compensation is based on experience, skills, and location

Eligible for performance-based bonuses and incentive compensation Benefits

Cognizant offers a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and career growth:

Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Financial Benefits: 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance

Time Off: Generous PTO, paid holidays, and parental leave

Learning & Development: Access to certifications, training programs, and career advancement opportunities

Flexible Work: Hybrid work model to support work-life balance

Employee Experience: Wellness programs, employee resource groups, and recognition initiatives Why Join Cognizant?

Work on cutting-edge Generative AI and ML solutions

Collaborate with global clients and cross-functional teams

Grow your career in a high-demand, innovation-driven space

Be part of a company committed to inclusion, diversity, and impact