SRE Transformation Leader

About the role

As an SRE Lead, you will make an impact by driving enterprise-wide transformation from traditional production operations to a scalable, modern Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) model. You will be a valued member of the reliability and transformation team and work collaboratively with engineering, operations, and senior leadership stakeholders to embed reliability practices and sustainable operating models.

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship now or at any time in the future.

Assess organizational, technical, and cultural maturity across towers and Lines of Business to determine readiness for SRE adoption

Define SRE engagement and operating models aligned to business priorities, team capabilities, and maturity levels

Design and implement enterprise SRE transformation roadmaps covering governance, metrics, tooling, and adoption plans

Guide teams transitioning from traditional production operations to SRE ownership models, clarifying responsibilities and boundaries

Partner with leadership to map roles to SRE functions, identify skill gaps, and enable reskilling and organizational redesign

Influence senior stakeholders through structured recommendations, maturity frameworks, and outcome-driven metrics

Act as a trusted advisor to engineering and delivery leadership in scaling reliability practices across the enterprise

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States, with travel required to Charlotte, NC or Detroit, MI. Regardless of your working arrangement, we support a healthy work-life balance through our wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting and may evolve based on business or client needs.

15+ years of experience in software engineering or production operations, including 5+ years in senior SRE, , or reliability leadership roles

Proven track record leading large-scale production operations transformation into SRE operating models

Experience leading and scaling multiple SRE teams as an SRE Leader, Manager, or equivalent role

Strong background in software development and architecture with hands‑on technical expertise

Deep knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS preferred, Azure or GCP acceptable)

Recent hands‑on experience in SRE practices including observability (e.g., Dynatrace, Splunk) and automation

Expertise in designing and scaling enterprise SRE roadmaps, operating models, and reliability frameworks

Strong ability to communicate technical concepts into executive‑level insights and influence decision‑making

Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation, and coaching skills

Experience acting as an SRE transformation advisor or consultant in enterprise environments

Background in consulting, operating model transformation, or large‑scale organizational change initiatives

Deep practical expertise with SRE principles such as SLIs/SLOs, error budgets, toil reduction, and reliability metrics at scale

Passion for coaching teams and building self‑sustaining engineering organizations

Prior experience working across multiple business units or complex global delivery environments

Please note:

This role will require an in‑person meet and greet at our Cognizant offices or client location.

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT or equivalent

Applications will be accepted until May 28th, 2026.

The annual salary for this position is between $75,600 to $120,000 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.

• 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.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.