Security / Identity Engineer - Forward Deployed Engineer

We are seeking a Security / Identity Engineer - Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to work closely with client SRE, Security, and Observability teams to design and implement secure identity, entitlement, and cross-account observability solutions across a large AWS environment. This role will focus on integrating enterprise identity federation models, AWS IAM Identity Center, and policy-based access controls while enabling secure aggregation of logs, metrics, and traces across thousands of AWS accounts. The ideal candidate will combine expertise in identity engineering, AWS cloud architecture, API development, and Infrastructure as Code to deliver scalable and secure platform solutions.

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

In this role, you will:

· Design and implement identity and entitlement solutions leveraging AWS IAM Identity Center (IdC), SAML/OIDC federation, and enterprise authentication systems.

· Integrate observability platforms with existing credential-vending systems, federation services, and enterprise identity architectures.

· Develop policy engines to enforce data access boundaries across SRE, application, and business teams.

· Architect and automate cross-account aggregation of logs, metrics, traces, and operational telemetry across multiple AWS Organizations.

· Design, build, and deploy APIs that securely access CloudWatch, CloudTrail, and flow log data while enforcing authorization controls.

· Implement scalable caching, routing, and access control mechanisms to support high-volume observability workloads.

· Develop Infrastructure-as-Code solutions using Terraform or AWS CDK to automate deployment and lifecycle management.

· Leverage AWS Organizations and CloudFormation StackSets to deploy integrations and configurations across large-scale AWS environments.

· Produce architecture documentation, integration guides, operational runbooks, and knowledge-transfer materials.

· Partner with client SRE, Security, Platform Engineering, and Observability leadership teams as an embedded technical SME to drive successful adoption and operational readiness.

· 8+ years of experience in Cloud Engineering, Identity Engineering, Security Engineering, Platform Engineering, or AWS Architecture roles.

· Expert-level experience with SAML, OIDC, enterprise federation, and AWS IAM Identity Center (AWS SSO).

· Strong expertise with AWS CloudWatch, CloudTrail, cross-account observability, and enterprise monitoring architectures.

· Deep knowledge of AWS Organizations, Organization-wide governance controls, CloudFormation StackSets, and multi-account AWS environments.

· Hands-on experience developing APIs and backend services using Python, Go, or Java.

· Strong Infrastructure-as-Code expertise with Terraform and/or AWS CDK.

· Experience designing authorization models, policy engines, entitlement frameworks, and identity governance controls.

· Strong understanding of cloud security, IAM architecture, observability, and enterprise platform operations.

· Experience working within large-scale AWS environments supporting thousands of cloud accounts and centralized platform services.

· Excellent communication, stakeholder management, troubleshooting, and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience working as an embedded Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), Resident Architect, or Customer-Facing Platform Engineer.

· Familiarity with enterprise landing zone architectures and custom credential-vending solutions.

· Experience supporting large-scale observability platforms and centralized logging architectures.

· AWS certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect, Security Specialty, or Advanced Networking Specialty.

· Experience supporting SRE, Platform Engineering, or Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) teams.

The annual salary for this position is between $[136,500 -160,000] 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