Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Cognizant is a provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services. The BTS Operations M&A Architect will lead technology strategy and architecture for manufacturing site acquisitions, separations, new builds, and expansions, from IT due diligence through stabilization and integration. The role ensures secure, scalable, compliant, and operationally supportable IT/OT solutions while partnering with cross-functional delivery teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead technical visioning and architecture for IT/OT systems supporting plant acquisitions, separations, new construction, and expansions, including transition-state and target-state architectures
- Define Day-1 / Day-30 / Day-100 technology readiness plans, cutover approach, and stabilization (“hypercare”) architecture for acquired/expanded sites
- Produce and maintain a repeatable Site Integration Playbook (reference architectures, approved patterns, checklists, standard bills of material, and evidence templates)
- Own the IT due diligence architecture assessment for target sites: current state inventories (apps/integration/data/infrastructure), IT/OT connectivity, vendor dependencies, obsolescence/EOL, licensing/contracts, support model, and integration complexity
- Assess cybersecurity posture and third-party risk in coordination with InfoSec, including segmentation, remote access, endpoint posture, asset discovery, identity onboarding, and remediation planning
- Develop integration options and recommendations (e.g., retain vs. standardize vs. replace) using agreed criteria (risk, compliance, speed, cost, sustainability, architectural fit)
- Ensure architectures align to AbbVie standards for security, data privacy, GxP/CSV expectations, and technology governance, with audit-ready traceability
- Drive architecture decisioning through governance forums (e.g., ARB or equivalent): maintain architecture decision logs/records, exception/risk acceptance documentation, and standards conformance evidence
- Identify and proactively manage cross-site risks (schedule, cyber, validation, operational readiness), escalating tradeoffs and decisions early
- Architect manufacturing technology stacks spanning MES, SCADA/automation interfaces, historians, plant connectivity, ERP integrations, and core infrastructure platforms
- Define integration patterns and interface inventories: data flows, API/event/file interfaces where applicable, master data alignment, and operational reporting
- Establish site connectivity and operating model requirements: monitoring, backup/recovery, patching, incident response, and support handoffs
- Partner with BTS Ops program/project managers and implementation teams to guide execution and ensure delivered solutions match architecture intent, quality, compliance, and operational supportability
- Lead cross-functional workshops with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and key vendors to align requirements, validate designs, and resolve tradeoffs
- Mentor solution architects & project technical leads; set expectation and raise architectural maturity across site deployment teams
Skills
- This position is open only to visa-independent candidates and will not support visa sponsorship now or in the future
- Bachelor's Degree with 7 years of experience, Master's Degree with 6 years, or PhD with 2 years in IT systems architecture or a related applied discipline; manufacturing or pharmaceutical industry experience strongly preferred
- Strong background in manufacturing IT, including understanding of plant floor systems, enterprise integrations, and regulatory compliance (GxP, FDA, etc.)
- Proven experience leading IT projects for new site builds, plant expansions, or acquisition integrations
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to assess risk, think strategically, and deliver high-quality solutions in dynamic environments
- Experience with relevant technology platforms (MES, ERP, Automation/SCADA, network infrastructure, etc.)
- Strong analytic, problem-solving, and project management skills
- Knowledge of applicable corporate and divisional policies and project management methodologies
- Manufacturing or pharmaceutical industry experience strongly preferred
Benefits
- 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
- 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.
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