
Cloud Architect
Cognizant · Pune Division, Maharashtra, India
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- On site
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- Pune Division, Maharashtra, India
Job highlights
- Manage enterprise identity across AD and Azure AD.
- Design, administer, and maintain IAM services.
- Ensure secure authentication and authorization.
- Automate tasks using PowerShell scripting.
- Collaborate with infrastructure, cloud, security teams.
About the role
Job Summary
The Active Directory & Azure Active Directory (AAD or Entra ID) Engineer will be responsible for designing, administering, and maintaining enterprise identity and access management services across on-premises Active Directory and cloud-based Azure AD environments. The role ensures secure, reliable, and scalable authentication, authorization, and identity lifecycle management in hybrid and cloud-only setups. The engineer will collaborate closely with infrastructure, cloud, and security teams to manage these critical services.
Responsibilities
- 12 to 16 years of experience in Active Directory and Azure AD or Entra ID administration.
- Hands-on experience with Windows Server 2016, 2019, or 2022 Active Directory.
- Experience managing hybrid identity using Azure AD Connect or Entra ID Connect.
- Exposure to MFA, Conditional Access, SSO, and RBAC.
- Experience supporting enterprise-scale identity platforms with ITIL processes.
- Installation, configuration, and hardening of Active Directory Domain Controllers.
- Management of AD domains, forests, OUs, users, groups, and Group Policy Objects (GPOs).
- AD replication, FSMO roles, schema updates, and trust relationships.
- DNS and DHCP administration integrated with Active Directory.
- Azure AD (Entra ID) user, group, role, and application management.
- Configuration of Conditional Access, MFA, SSO, App Registrations, and Enterprise Applications.
- Identity security auditing and compliance controls.
- PowerShell scripting for AD and Azure AD automation and reporting.
- Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
- Ability to work independently in production environments.
- Clear communication with infrastructure, cloud, and security teams.
- Strong documentation and adherence to change and access governance processes.
- Proactive mindset focused on security, stability, and continuous improvement.
Key skills/competency
- Active Directory
- Azure Active Directory (Entra ID)
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Hybrid Identity Management
- MFA
- Conditional Access
- SSO
- RBAC
- PowerShell Scripting
- ITIL Processes
Skills & topics
- Cloud Architect
- Active Directory
- Azure AD
- Entra ID
- IAM
- Hybrid Identity
- MFA
- Conditional Access
- SSO
- PowerShell
- Windows Server
- ITIL
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 12+ years of AD and Azure AD experience, focusing on hybrid identity and security protocols like MFA and Conditional Access.
- Showcase technical skills: Emphasize PowerShell scripting for automation, AD/Azure AD administration, and ITIL process adherence.
- Demonstrate problem-solving: Prepare examples of complex troubleshooting and root cause analysis in production environments.
- Align with company values: Express a proactive mindset towards security, stability, and continuous improvement in your application and interviews.
- Network and prepare: Research Cognizant's culture and expected collaboration with other teams for a strong interview.
Technical preparation
Master Active Directory domain/forest concepts.,Become proficient with Azure AD and Entra ID.,Practice PowerShell for automation and reporting.,Understand MFA, Conditional Access, and SSO.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex IAM challenge you solved.,How do you ensure security and stability?,Share an experience working with other teams.,How do you approach documentation and governance?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the minimum experience required for the Cloud Architect role at Cognizant?
- The Cloud Architect position at Cognizant requires a minimum of 12 to 16 years of experience specifically in Active Directory and Azure Active Directory (Entra ID) administration.
- Does this Cloud Architect role involve on-premises and cloud environments?
- Yes, this Cloud Architect role is a hybrid position, requiring expertise in both on-premises Active Directory and cloud-based Azure AD (Entra ID) environments, including managing hybrid identity solutions.
- What are the key security features a Cloud Architect must be familiar with at Cognizant?
- For this Cloud Architect role at Cognizant, familiarity with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Conditional Access, Single Sign-On (SSO), and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is essential.
- Is PowerShell scripting a requirement for the Cloud Architect position at Cognizant?
- Yes, strong PowerShell scripting skills are a requirement for the Cloud Architect role at Cognizant, essential for automating AD and Azure AD tasks and reporting.
- What ITIL processes are relevant for the Cloud Architect at Cognizant?
- Experience supporting enterprise-scale identity platforms with ITIL processes is relevant for the Cloud Architect role at Cognizant, indicating a need for structured service management.
- How important is collaboration for the Cloud Architect at Cognizant?
- Collaboration is very important for the Cloud Architect at Cognizant. You will need to work closely with infrastructure, cloud, and security teams.