Presales Solution Architect Jobs in Illinois

INTRODUCTION

Cognizant is looking for a highly accomplished Enterprise Tools Presales Solutions Architect with deep expertise in Observability, AIOps, SRE-aligned operating models, ITSM/ITOM, automation, and hybrid cloud ecosystems. The role requires strong architectural acumen and the ability to engage customers, shape complex solution strategies, and articulate business value across enterprise pursuits. You will lead solution design, differentiation, and technical defence for large-scale transformation deals. This position plays a critical role in driving digital operations modernisation through enterprise platforms and innovative architectures.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced discovery sessions to assess client operational ecosystems, tooling landscapes, service management maturity, and infrastructure/cloud topology
• Identify architectural gaps, consolidation opportunities, and modernisation initiatives across observability, ITSM/ITOM, AIOps, and automation domains
• Develop end-to-end architectures, blueprints, and conceptual models covering full-stack observability, AIOps, SRE workflows, CMDB-led topology, and federated monitoring
• Architect integration strategies using APIs, webhooks, event-driven frameworks, and enterprise data exchange models
• Design interoperability across IT operations, SIAM, DevOps, CloudOps, and digital experience monitoring ecosystems
• Own technical solutioning in RFP/RFI cycles including architecture, implementation roadmap, KPIs/SLOs, ROI/TCO, and value articulation
• Collaborate with sales, bid, and pursuit teams to build differentiated solution strategies and compelling value propositions
• Lead executive presentations, solution walkthroughs, and architecture defence sessions with CXO and enterprise stakeholders
• Define commercial constructs including BoM/BoQ, licensing strategies, and consumption models
• Develop SIAM operating models, governance structures, and process flows across Incident, Problem, Change, Event, and Request Management
• Conduct maturity assessments using operational metrics, CMDB health, process KPIs, and tool utilisation insights
• Recommend transformation roadmaps spanning observability, automation, AIOps, and SRE-led operations
• Create frameworks for reliability engineering, service availability governance, and proactive operations management
• Architect GenAI-driven operational use cases such as intelligent observability, auto-summarisation, and AI-assisted troubleshooting
• Partner with engineering, product, and delivery teams to validate solutions and ensure implementation feasibility
• Contribute to thought leadership via whitepapers, frameworks, and competitive analysis while tracking emerging technologies such as OpenTelemetry, platform engineering, and LLM-driven IT operations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• 10–12 years of experience in IT infrastructure, cloud/hybrid operations, enterprise architecture, or tools architecture roles
• Proven expertise in presales, solution architecture, and technical solution defence for large enterprise deals
• Strong understanding of observability platforms such as Dynatrace, Datadog, AppDynamics, OpsRamp, LogicMonitor, Splunk, New Relic (architectural/conceptual level)
• Deep knowledge of AIOps including event correlation, anomaly detection, noise reduction, and ML-driven operations
• Expertise in ITSM/ITOM platforms, particularly ServiceNow CMDB architecture, discovery patterns, event management, and integration frameworks
• Strong understanding of cloud-native architectures, telemetry pipelines, distributed tracing, OpenTelemetry, and Kubernetes observability
• Ability to articulate architectural trade-offs, value propositions, and platform rationalisation strategies
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence CIOs, CTOs, and enterprise architects
• Excellent analytical thinking, conceptual modelling, and communication skills to simplify complex technical concepts
• ITIL 4 Foundation certification (mandatory)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• ITIL Managing Professional or ITIL Expert certification

SALARY AND OTHER COMPENSATION

The annual salary for this position is between $170,000 to $175,000+ depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive programme, 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

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.