Snowflake Data Architect

We are seeking a Lead Data Migration Architect with deep expertise in Snowflake and enterprise data modernization to lead large-scale migration programs from legacy platforms including SQL Server, DB2, and AS/400. This role will define target-state Snowflake architectures, migration strategies, reconciliation frameworks, and modernization roadmaps. The architect will leverage AI-powered accelerators, including Gemini Enterprise, to automate schema conversion, data transformation, validation, and migration processes. The ideal candidate combines strong Snowflake platform expertise with hands-on experience delivering complex migration and modernization initiatives.

In this role, you will:

· Define and lead enterprise data migration strategies from SQL Server, DB2, and AS/400 platforms to Snowflake.

· Architect scalable Snowflake data platforms including data warehousing, ingestion, transformation, governance, and analytics layers.

· Design migration factory frameworks with reusable patterns, automation pipelines, migration waves, and industrialized delivery processes.

· Develop data migration, reconciliation, validation, and data quality frameworks to ensure migration accuracy and completeness.

· Lead schema mapping, data type conversion, and transformation design between legacy databases and Snowflake.

· Optimize Snowflake performance through clustering, partitioning, query tuning, workload management, and cost optimization.

· Leverage Gemini Enterprise to accelerate metadata discovery, schema conversion, data quality validation, reconciliation, and migration documentation.

· Collaborate with data engineers, application architects, DBAs, and business stakeholders to execute modernization programs.

· Establish governance, lineage, auditability, and operational standards across migration initiatives.

· Provide technical leadership, mentor teams, and drive adoption of Snowflake best practices and modern data architecture patterns.

· 10+ years of experience in data architecture, data migration, or enterprise modernization programs.

· Strong hands-on experience with Snowflake architecture, data modeling, performance optimization, and administration.

· Expertise in migrating data from legacy platforms such as SQL Server, DB2 (LUW/iSeries), and AS/400 into Snowflake.

· Experience designing large-scale migration factories, automation frameworks, and industrialized migration processes.

· Strong understanding of Snowflake capabilities including Snowpipe, Tasks, Streams, Time Travel, Data Sharing, and Native Apps.

· Expertise in data quality engineering, reconciliation frameworks, metadata management, lineage, and governance.

· Experience with ETL/ELT tools such as dbt, Informatica, Matillion, Fivetran, or similar data integration platforms.

· Familiarity with cloud ecosystems (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and modern data lake/lakehouse architectures.

· Experience leveraging AI-assisted tools such as Gemini Enterprise for migration acceleration and automation.

· Strong communication, stakeholder management, and technical leadership skills.

The annual salary for this position is between $[137,500 - 161,500] 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