Physical AI - Client Partner
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 20, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 22, 2026. Cognizant scores A on the Alion truth index.
Physical AI Client Partner
About the role
We're looking for a Client Partner to own and grow strategic client relationships for our Physical AI offerings-AI systems that perceive, reason, and act in the physical world across robotics, connected devices, and autonomous and embodied platforms. This is a dual-mandate role: you'll be the senior commercial owner of your client portfolio, responsible for both selling our offerings and managing the full profit-and-loss for those accounts. You'll act as a trusted advisor to client executives, shaping their adoption of an emerging technology while ensuring every engagement is delivered profitably and sustainably.
Success in this role means being equally comfortable in the CxO positioning a new category, in the deal room negotiating commercials, and in the operating review managing margin and delivery health.
What you'll do
Sell and grow the relationship
Own one or more strategic client accounts as the senior point of accountability for revenue, relationship, and outcomes.
Position Cognizant Intelligent Spine (CIS) Physical AI offerings to client executives-translating complex AI, robotics, and connected-systems capabilities into clear business value and ROI.
Identify, shape, and close new opportunities within your accounts, expanding from initial engagements into broader, multi-year relationships.
Build deep, trusted-advisor relationships across the client's technical and business leadership.
Own the P&L
Carry full P&L responsibility for your account portfolio-revenue, margin, and profitability.
Manage forecasting, pricing, and commercial structuring to ensure healthy, sustainable economics.
Monitor account financials and take action to protect and grow margin while delivering client value.
Balance growth investments against profitability targets.
Orchestrate delivery and value
Partner with delivery, engineering, and product teams to ensure engagements are delivered on time, on budget, and to the standard that grows the relationship.
Govern account health-satisfaction, delivery quality, and risk-and step in to resolve escalations.
Bring market and client feedback back into the offering roadmap.
What we're looking for
15+ years in client management, account leadership, or strategic sales, ideally within technology, engineering, or consulting services.
Demonstrated P&L ownership -accountable for account or portfolio revenue, margin, and profitability.
Proven ability to grow strategic accounts through a mix of relationship building and consultative selling.
Experience positioning emerging or technically complex offerings (AI, IoT, robotics, automation, or digital engineering) to executive buyers.
Strong commercial acumen: pricing, deal structuring, forecasting, and margin management.
Excellent executive presence and the ability to make complex technology compelling and clear.
Ability to orchestrate cross-functional teams (sales, delivery, product) toward client outcomes.
- Background blending technical credibility (engineering, robotics, or product) with commercial leadership.
- Experience selling hardware-plus-software or AI-on-device solutions.
- Familiarity with target verticals such as manufacturing, automotive, logistics, medical devices, energy, defense.
- Track record of building a new client relationship or offering from early stage to scaled revenue
Salary and other Compensation
The annual salary for this position is between $200,000 - $250,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits
Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
· 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, based on applicable law.
Work Authorization
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or any time in the future.