Senior Machine Learning Engineer

SAP - Germany; Dubai; On-site; AED 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

SAP is seeking an experienced AI/ML leader to design and deliver production-grade ML and generative AI systems for our cloud platforms in the UAE region. You will own architecture across data pipelines, training workflows, model serving, and observability, while guiding RAG, embeddings, and guardrails.

You will mentor engineers, shape scalable ML solutions, and drive efficiency, reliability, and performance in live environments with a strong emphasis on responsible AI and cost optimization.

Qualifications

• Expert-level Python programming and software engineering.
• Deep knowledge of ML, DL, and optimization across NLP, ranking, and recommendations.
• Experience designing and operating end-to-end ML systems from data to deployment.
• Hands-on experience with modern ML/LLM tooling and model serving.
• Proficient in embeddings, vector databases, and RAG pipelines.
• Strong MLOps and platform engineering expertise including CI/CD and IaC.
• Architectural understanding of distributed systems and cloud-native ML platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of production-grade ML and generative AI systems at scale.
• Own architecture across data pipelines, training workflows, and model-serving infra.
• Mentor engineers and drive best practices into reusable patterns and platforms.
• Guide model selection, distributed training, and guardrails for responsible AI.

Skills

Python

Java or Go

ML systems design

End-to-end ML

ML tooling

MLOps & platform engineering

Distributed systems

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

scikit-learn

Job description

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. What's in it for you? Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed.

What you’ll build

In this role, you'll lead the design and delivery of production-grade ML and generative AI systems that solve complex product and business problems at scale. You'll own architecture and implementation across data pipelines, feature stores, training workflows, model-serving infrastructure, online experimentation, and observability.

You'll drive advanced use cases across deep learning, NLP, ranking, recommendation, forecasting, semantic retrieval, and LLM applications, including RAG, tool use, evaluation harnesses, and safety controls. Your work will directly shape performance, reliability, latency, and cost efficiency in live environments. You’ll guide technical direction on topics such as model selection, distributed training and inference, GPU utilization, model compression, prompt and retrieval optimization, drift detection, retraining strategy, and responsible AI controls. You’ll mentor other engineers and turn best practices into reusable patterns and platform capabilities.

What you bring:

• You bring expert-level programming skills in Python, along with strong software engineering expertise in languages such as Java or Go, enabling you to build scalable, production-grade systems
• You have deep knowledge of machine learning, deep learning, and optimization techniques across structured data, NLP, search, ranking, and recommendation problems
• You have extensive experience designing and operating end-to-end ML systems, from data ingestion and experimentation to deployment, observability, and lifecycle management
• You bring strong hands-on experience with modern ML and LLM tooling (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn), including fine-tuning, evaluation, orchestration, and model serving
• You have practical experience building generative AI applications using embeddings, vector databases, RAG pipelines, agent workflows, prompt engineering, and guardrails
• You bring deep expertise in MLOps and platform engineering, including model registries, feature stores, CI/CD, infrastructure as code, experiment tracking, and automated validation
• You have a strong architectural understanding of distributed systems, event-driven services, streaming data, and cloud-native ML platforms, with the ability to optimize for performance, scalability, reliability, and cost
• You define robust evaluation and governance strategies, including offline benchmarking, online experimentation, hallucination analysis, model risk assessment, and responsible AI practices

About You

• You bring 7‑9+ years of experience in software engineering and machine learning, with a track record of leading and delivering complex, production‑scale AI systems
• You combine strong product judgment with technical depth, translating ambiguous business problems into scalable, high‑impact AI solutions
• You thrive in complex, fast‑moving environments and bring clarity, ownership, and strategic thinking to drive long‑term platform success

Where you belong:

You will be part of a growing team of AI and industry experts dedicated to serving customers across theKingdom of Saudi Arabia / United Arab Emirates. We are building a collaborative, high‑impact environment that brings together deep AI expertise, strong industry knowledge, and regional understanding to help customers innovate, transform, and lead in their markets.

This team thrives on working together to turn complex business challenges into practical, scalable solutions. You will find an environment that values curiosity, ownership, and continuous learning, where new ideas are encouraged and real‑world impact matters. This is a place for people who enjoy building something new. You will thrive here if you are customer‑centric, motivated by meaningful outcomes, and comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast‑evolving AI landscape.

About the team

We are a team of engineers passionate about building valuable, scalable AI frameworks that drive real business impact. We thrive on solving challenging problems, innovating with cutting‑edge technologies, and collaborating closely to deliver AI systems that are reliable, high‑performing, and ready for production. Our team values ownership, technical excellence, and creating solutions that stand the test of scale and complexity.

Bring out your best

SAP innovations help more than four hundred thousand customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end‑to‑end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with two hundred million users and more than one hundred thousand employees worldwide, we are purpose‑driven and future‑focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, you can bring out your best.

We win with inclusion

SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well‑being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world. SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e‑mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team: [e-mail]. For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements.

Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.

AI Usage in the Recruitment Process

For information on the responsible use of AI in our recruitment process, please refer to our Guidelines for Ethical Usage of AI in the Recruiting Process.

Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process. Requisition ID: 450236 | Work Area: Software-Design and Development | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Professional | Employment Type: Regular Full Time | Additional Locations: #LI-Hybrid