Chief Development Architect (multiple positions available)

SAP SE; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 221,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

SAP Labs, LLC in Palo Alto, CA is seeking a Chief Development Architect to define and lead the procurement product's architecture and vision, guiding multiple teams and ensuring Architecture Concept Documents are followed.

You will drive cloud-native modernization, cost optimization, and SAP BTP adoption, collaborating with senior leaders to solve complex architectural challenges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field and ten years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience.
• Alternatively, a Master's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field and eight years of experience.
• Eight years leading large-scale distributed software projects and teams with architecture governance.

Responsibilities

• Define, document, and align architecture with specifications and strategy.
• Supervise and provide technology guidance to implementation teams.
• Conduct architecture reviews ensuring compliance with ACD and product standards.
• Deliver end-to-end product and technology components from ideation to delivery.
• Collaborate with CTO and stakeholders to tackle architectural complexities.
• Drive cloud-native best practices and SAP BTP adoption in Ariba Procurement Suite.
• Lead application architecture for multiple procurement applications.

Skills

Technical leadership

Architecture governance

Distributed teams

CI/CD practices

Generative AI integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

SAP BTP

Cloud technologies

Job description

Original Posting Date: 10/19/26

Job Title: Chief Development Architect (multiple positions available)

Location: 3380 Coyote Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304

Work Model: Hybrid Work Model

Purpose And Objective

SAP Labs, LLC seeks a Chief Development Architect (multiple positions available) at our Palo Alto, CA location to define and lead the procurement product's architecture and vision together with other Lead architects and engineering teams, administer alignment of architecture concepts and ensure documentation in Architecture Concept Document (ACDs).

Expectations And Tasks

Define, document, and align architecture to reconcile specifications and strategy with external boundary conditions. Analyze and discuss specifications and their mutual relationship in light of strategic direction. Supervise and provide Technology guidance to the implementation team(s), managing all aspects that influence the architectural framework. Conduct thorough architecture reviews of implementation teams, ensuring strict compliance with the ACD and pertinent product standards. Contribute to the end-to-end delivery of products and technology components from ideation to final delivery to customers, demonstrating expertise and exemplifying our one-team model through a hands-on approach. Collaborate with key stakeholders and senior executives, including the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), to proactively tackle architectural and technical complexities. Evaluate the feasibility, readiness, and compliance of proposed solutions. Take charge of overseeing cross-architecture initiatives which have a significant impact on multiple engineering teams and guiding team architects across globe. Drive our technology renovation toward operational efficiency, cost optimization, and cloud scale. Drive the introduction and evolution of cloud-native best practices and SAP BTP technologies and services into the Ariba Procurement Suite. Lead the application architecture for multiple procurement applications.

Qualifications

Education and Occupational Experience:

Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field of study and ten (10) years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the job offered or related occupation. Alternatively, a Master's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field of study and eight (8) years of experience in the job offered or related occupation.

Qualifications/Skills And Competencies Experience

Experience must include eight (8) years involving each of the following:

• Technical Leadership and Supervision in Large-Scale, Distributed Software Projects and Teams; and
• Architecture Design, Documentation, and Governance.

Experience Must Involve Five (5) Years In The Following

• Cloud Architecture and Cloud-Native Development;
• SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) and related services;
• Agile Methodologies and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Practices; and
• Generative Artificial Intelligence and Agentic Artificial Intelligence Integration.

Travel: N/A.

This position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program subject to the eligibility criteria outlined in the SAP Internal Employee Referral Policy.

Compensation Range Transparency

The annual base salary range for this position is $221,021 - $349,725. SAP believes the value of pay transparency contributes towards an honest and supportive culture and is a significant step towards demonstrating SAP's commitment to pay equity. SAP provides the annualized compensation range inclusive of base salary and variable incentive target for the career level applicable to the posted role. The targeted combined range for this position is $274,300 - $466,300. The actual amount to be offered to the successful candidate will be within that range, dependent upon the key aspects of each case which may include education, skills, experience, scope of the role, location, etc. as determined through the selection process. Any SAP variable incentive includes a targeted dollar amount and any actual payout amount is dependent on company and personal performance. Please reference this link for a summary of SAP benefits and eligibility requirements: SAP North America Benefits.

Additional Information: All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

About SAP

With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improves people's lives.

As a leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience.

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, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability.

Compensation Range Transparency

SAP believes pay transparency is essential to fostering an honest, supportive, and inclusive culture and is an important part of our commitment to pay equity. The salary range for this position is included in the job posting. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate will fall within that range and will depend on factors such as education, skills, experience, location, and scope of the role, as determined through the selection process. Where applicable, SAP may also provide variable incentive opportunities and additional benefits, subject to the terms of the relevant plans and policies. Any variable incentive amount is target-based, with actual payouts dependent on company and individual performance. Please reference this link for a summary of SAP benefits and eligibility requirements: SAP North America Benefits.

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.

Company 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 will find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your well-being, 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.