SR Automation Engineer

About the Position

SR Automation Engineer

00069045301

Date published: May 19, 2026
Location: San Francisco, CA - Mission St / United States
Job category: Digital
Work model: Hybrid

Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 1000, and the Fortune 500 and we are among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.

Job Summary

The Sr Developer role is responsible for designing and implementing scalable data pipelines and event-driven services using Kafka, Amazon S3, Python, and Snowflake SQL with Snowpipe. The role focuses on building secure, reliable, and performant solutions in a hybrid work model supporting business-critical analytics and applications while ensuring high code quality and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Design and implement robust data pipelines using Python that move structured and semi-structured data securely and efficiently between source systems, Amazon S3 storage, and Snowflake environments.
Develop and optimize Kafka-based event streaming solutions that enable reliable ingestion, transformation, and distribution of real-time and batch data for analytics and applications.
Create efficient Snowflake SQL queries and data models that support analytics, reporting, and application use cases while maintaining performance and cost efficiency.
Configure and enhance Snowpipe-based ingestion processes that automate continuous data loading from Amazon S3 into Snowflake with a strong focus on reliability and observability.
Implement reusable Python modules and utilities that standardize data processing patterns, including validation, transformation, error handling, and monitoring across projects.
Collaborate with product owners, architects, and peer developers to translate complex business requirements into scalable technical designs aligned with enterprise data strategies.
Review and refactor existing Kafka topics, schemas, and consumer logic to improve reliability, throughput, fault tolerance, and maintainability across multiple environments.
Apply secure coding practices, data protection guidelines, and access control policies across Kafka, Amazon S3, and Snowflake components to safeguard sensitive information and comply with standards.
Develop comprehensive unit tests, integration tests, and data validation checks for Python code, SQL logic, and streaming flows to ensure accuracy, resilience, and regression safety.
Monitor production data pipelines and streaming jobs using logs and metrics, investigate incidents proactively, and implement permanent fixes to enhance system stability and user trust.
Prepare clear technical documentation covering data flow diagrams, pipeline configurations, schema definitions, and operational runbooks to support smooth handover and ongoing operations.
Mentor junior developers in best practices for Python coding, Kafka usage, SQL optimization, and data engineering patterns to uplift overall team capability and delivery quality.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by evaluating new features of Snowflake, Kafka, Amazon S3, and related tools to drive innovation, efficiency, and better outcomes for stakeholders.

Requirements

Display strong proficiency in Python for building data pipelines, automation scripts, and backend services with an emphasis on clean code and maintainable structures.
Show deep hands-on experience with Kafka, including topics management, consumer groups, schema evolution, and troubleshooting of message flow issues.
Demonstrate practical expertise with Amazon S3 for secure data storage, lifecycle policies, folder organization, and integration with upstream and downstream systems.
Exhibit advanced skills in Snowflake SQL, including complex joins, window functions, performance tuning, and query optimization in large-scale data environments.
Apply proven experience in configuring and managing Snowpipe pipelines for automated and continuous data ingestion from Amazon S3 into Snowflake.
Bring solid understanding of data warehousing principles, dimensional modeling concepts, and best practices for building analytics-ready datasets that support diverse business needs.
Leverage experience working in hybrid work models using remote collaboration tools while maintaining strong communication, accountability, and alignment with distributed teams.
Utilize problem-solving skills and analytical thinking to diagnose data quality issues, performance bottlenecks, and integration challenges across Kafka, Amazon S3, and Snowflake components.
Employ effective stakeholder communication skills to clarify requirements, explain technical decisions, and present progress updates to non-technical partners in a concise and transparent manner.

Employee Benefits

Cognizant offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off, holidays, and parental leave
Life and disability insurance
Employee assistance and wellness programs
Learning, certification, and career development opportunities

About the Company

Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world. We don’t just dream of a better way – we make it happen. We take care of our people, clients, company, communities, and climate by doing what’s right. We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that’s right for you.

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, state, or local laws.

Join our talent community

Haven’t found the right opportunity yet? Receive the latest updates on job opportunities, recruitment events, and company news tailored just for you.

We care about your privacy

Thank you, your preferences have been updated.

By clicking "Accept All", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to give you the most optimal experience using our website. We may also use cookies to enhance performance, analyze site usage, and to personalize your experience.

Manage Preferences