Senior Active Directory Engineer

About the role

As a Senior Active Directory Engineer, you will make an impact by strengthening the stability, security, and performance of multiple enterprise Active Directory (AD) environments. Your work will directly support large-scale initiatives such as security hardening, domain consolidation, and migrations to core and cloud-based AD, helping to modernize and streamline the organization’s identity infrastructure. You will influence key technical decisions by partnering with business and application teams, serving as a trusted advisor, and driving strategic security and consolidation efforts.

You will be a valued member of the Cloud Infrastructure and Security team and work collaboratively with the Senior Manager.

• Manage and support multiple enterprise Active Directory environments, ensuring stability, performance, and availability.
• Review, investigate, and remediate AD performance issues and unusual activity using monitoring and diagnostic tools.
• Strengthen AD security by addressing identified vulnerabilities and maintaining compliance with baseline security standards.
• Collaborate with business and application teams to support migrations to core and cloud AD environments.
• Lead and support AD domain consolidation initiatives, including work related to mergers and acquisitions.
• Participate in AD audits, compliance reviews, security assessments, and root‑cause analyses.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, SOPs, and operational reports.
• Participate in a 24×7 on‑call rotation and contribute to team initiatives, occasionally leading small technical work streams.

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in Minneapolis, MN. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work‑life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

• Hands‑on and strategic experience across multi‑domain environments, migration projects, and enterprise security standards.
• Extensive experience collaborating with business and application teams to strengthen Active Directory security and support migrations to Optum core AD or cloud environments.
• Strong expertise in Active Directory infrastructure engineering.
• Proficient with AD performance tuning and optimization.
• Knowledge of server hardware management.
• Hands‑on experience with VMware ESX or Hyper‑V engineering and operations.

• Experience automating AD operations with Power Shell, with additional scripting experience in VBScript or Batch
• Familiarity with SCOM and SCCM/MECM
• Experience with Quest tools:
  InTrust, Change Auditor, Enterprise Reporter, GPO Admin, RMAD
• Exposure to Blood Hound Enterprise and Microsoft RAP
• Strong understanding of DNS, networking fundamentals, and firewall operations

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Applications will be accepted until March 16, 2026

The annual salary for this position is between $99,000 - $116,000 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

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.

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

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.