Principal/Lead SAP AI Architect (f/m/d)

We help the world run better. At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong.

Where you belong

You will join a high-performing, innovation-driven SAP AI architecture and engineering team at the intersection of enterprise SAP and artificial intelligence. Guided by our ambition — “Architect the Autonomous Enterprise, Develop and Deliver Today” — we turn complex ideas into scalable, production-grade SAP solutions. The preferred candidate will possess insatiable curiosity, unbounded creativity, and a growth mindset to navigate ambiguity and deliver clarity within complex SAP environments.

What you’ll build

You will serve as the SAP architectural authority for AI-driven solutions delivered to our external customers, ensuring every design decision is traceable back to measurable business impact within the SAP landscape. Specifically, you will:

• Engage closely with customers and SAP stakeholders to understand goals, challenges, and opportunities, translating them into a clear SAP AI architecture vision
• Design and deliver scalable, reliable end-to-end SAP AI solutions based on SAP AI Foundation and SAP Build Suite
• Lead architecture reviews and blueprint sessions, acting as a trusted advisor who communicates complex topics in a business-friendly way
• Define measurable success criteria and ensure performance, quality, and adoption across the SAP ecosystem
• Identify and prioritize high-value SAP-native AI use cases (e.g., S/4HANA, BDC, Analytics Cloud, BTP)
• Ensure responsible AI practices (transparency, fairness, explainability, data privacy) in all solutions
• Advise on latest SAP AI innovations on SAP Business AI Platform and support future-proof architectures, including migration from legacy approaches

You will take on a lead role within the SAP AI architecture team, with overall responsibility for direction, standards, and team development. Specifically, you will:

• Shape and govern the SAP AI architecture framework for the team, defining standards, patterns, and best practices to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery
• Drive the SAP AI strategy and roadmap for our unit, identifying capability gaps and advancing them through hiring, training, and tooling investments
• Lead pre-sales and solutioning activities, partnering with sales and delivery teams to develop compelling proposals and PoCs on SAP BTP and AI Core
• Mentor and coach architects, fostering capability growth through knowledge sharing and structured development
• Contribute to SAP thought leadership and Champion innovation by introducing emerging SAP AI technologies

What you bring

Education & Track Record

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, AI, Software Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of SAP experience, including 5+ years in a senior architect leadership role
• Proven thought leadership in the SAP ecosystem (e.g., community contributions, publications, conference speaking) is a strong plus
• Professional fluency in German and English (C1+)

Technical Expertise in SAP Architecture

• Strong expertise in Fiori UI and CAP Framework for building enterprise-grade full-stack applications on SAP BTP
• Deep understanding of SAP architecture principles, including Clean Core, RISE with SAP, GROW with SAP, and cloud transformation frameworks
• Hands-on experience with SAP BTP services and tools (e.g., SAP Build, Process Automation, Build Apps, Integration Suite)
• Proven ability to design integration architectures across SAP and non-SAP systems using Integration Suite, API Management, Event Mesh, and Data Intelligence
• Deep familiarity with SAP data models and enterprise data architecture (e.g., S/4HANA, Datasphere)
• Deep expertise in enterprise integration patterns and protocols (e.g., APIs, OData, SOAP)

Technical Expertise in SAP AI Architecture

• Strong knowledge of agentic AI frameworks (e.g., LangChain, AutoGen, CrewAI) combined with SAP Data Intelligence and Datasphere for orchestrating data and AI pipelines
• Experience designing Generative AI solutions on SAP BTP using Generative AI Hub, including RAG patterns, prompt engineering, and LLM orchestration
• Strong understanding of SAP AI Foundation on BTP (e.g., AI Core, multi-model serving, HANA Cloud vector engine, Document Information Extraction)
• Hands-on expertise with SAP HANA Cloud AI/ML capabilities (e.g., predictive analytics, vector search, SAP Analytics Cloud integration)
• Understanding of AI/ML lifecycle management and data orchestration using SAP Data Intelligence Cloud

Soft Skills, Project Management Skills & Leadership Skills

• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, ability to convey complex SAP AI concepts clearly to both executives and technical teams
• Strong executive presence with the ability to build trust and credibility with C-level stakeholders, customers, and partners
• Strategic mindset with strong business acumen, linking SAP technology decisions to business outcomes and ROI
• Collaborative leadership style, driving alignment across cross-functional teams without formal authority
• Resilient and adaptable in fast-paced, evolving SAP project environments
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, translating complex challenges into actionable solutions and roadmaps
• Solid project and program management expertise (e.g., Agile, SAFe, SAP Activate; tools like Jira, Confluence, SAP ALM)
• Experienced in stakeholder management, including navigating expectations, resistance, and SI relationships
• Passion for mentoring and developing talent, fostering the next generation of SAP AI architects