Expert Development Architect SAP Office of the CTO

SAP SE; San Ramon (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

SAP SE seeks an Expert Development Architect to shape the future architecture strategy aligning with AI-first and Suite-first directions. You will lead architectural initiatives, collaborate with executive leadership, and drive cloud-native, AI-integrated architectures across SAP’s portfolio.

Strong focus on scalability, security, and performance with global teams. The role requires 8+ years in software architecture, expertise in AI and cloud platforms, and deep knowledge of Kubernetes and SAP

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software architecture experience with AI, cloud-native or large-scale distributed systems.
• Proficient in Java, JavaScript, Python, Go and related modern languages.
• Advanced knowledge of cloud infrastructures (AWS, Azure, GCP) and scalability/performance optimization.
• Deep expertise in containers, Kubernetes, microservices, and networking.
• Experience with SAP technologies, BTP, and enterprise integration.
• Experience designing and implementing distributed systems on modern cloud platforms.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with executives and product teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural excellence across teams aligned to SAP's AI-first and suite-first strategy.
• Oversee end-to-end lifecycle of major architectural initiatives, focusing on scalability and security.
• Facilitate communication between stakeholders and technical teams to ensure alignment.
• Identify architecture risks and provide strategic recommendations for management decisions.
• Define and drive architectural roadmaps with executive and product teams to support business goals.
• Promote AI, ML, and cloud-native patterns across SAP’s technology landscape.
• Collaborate with global teams to ensure adaptable and scalable architecture.
• Design cloud and AI system architectures for complex customer solutions.

Skills

AI system architecture

Cloud-native

Distributed systems

Kubernetes

SAP technologies

English proficiency

Tools

Gardener

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Job Description

As an Expert Development Architect, you will play a pivotal role in shaping SAP’s future architecture strategy in alignment with our AI first and Suite first product direction. Reporting directly to the Head of Architecture (US), you will serve as a deep technical expert, driving innovation across SAP’s portfolio by designing and enabling next-generation, cloud-native, and AI-integrated architectures.You will work in a global, cross-functional setup and engage with strategic architecture topics that influence platform evolution, product strategy, and customer outcomes. With your technical depth and hands-on attitude, you will help ensure our solutions are scalable, intelligent, secure, and future-ready.

Your Future Role

• Champion architectural excellence across multiple teams, ensuring alignment with SAP’s AI- first and Suite-first strategic direction.
• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of major architectural initiatives - from ideation to implementation – focusing on scalability, performance, and security at every stage.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment by facilitating effective communication and alignment between stakeholders and technical teams.
• Proactively identify and evaluate architecture risks, deliver strategic recommendations and influence key management decisions.
• Work closely with executive leadership and product teams to define and drive architectural roadmaps that align with SAP’s broader business objectives.
• Future-proof SAP’s technology landscape by promoting the adoption of innovative approaches, integrating emerging trends such as AI, machine learning, cloud native solutions.
• Collaborate with global teams to ensure architecture decisions are adaptable, scalable and meet diverse business needs.
• Design and manage cloud- and AI system-architectures for complex customer solutions, ensuring technical strategies align with business requirements and deliver measurable value.
• Continuously enhance development processes, driving efficiency, scalability, and innovation across SAP's offerings.

Your Profile

• 8+ years of experience in software architecture with recognized expertise and thought leadership in one or more areas: AI system architecture, cloud-native frameworks, large-scale distributed systems.
• Expertise in multiple modern programming languages and environments such as Java, Javascript, Python, Go, and related modern technologies.
• Advanced knowledge of software architecture and cloud infrastructures (AWS, Azure, GCP) with a strong focus on scalability and performance optimization
• Deep proficiency in container technologies, Kubernetes (including Gardener), microservices, and network technology
• Experience with SAP technologies, BTP, and enterprise integration landscapes.
• Proven success designing and implementing large-scale, distributed systems using modern cloud platforms and technologies like Kubernetes, containers, microservices, AWS, Azure, GCP.
• Strong expertise in distributed systems, data or AI/ML architecture, including experience with model training, deployment, MLOps, and AI service integration.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders to align technical and business objectives.
• Exceptional analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• Extensive experience in writing technical documentation and providing technical leadership to teams
• Fluency in English, with strong communication skills to liaise with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to share and communicate ideas to executive staff, technical resources and other key constituents in clear, concise language.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The CTO area’s mission is to future proof our customers and SAP. Together we evolve SAP’s technology strategy and North Star architecture, explore the impact of emerging technologies on SAP’s portfolio and leverage the insights for build/buy/partner decisions. We accelerate innovation across SAP’s portfolio, collaborating with engineering teams in SAP, partners, and start‑ups across the globe. With Business AI and Sustainability, we accelerate SAP’s long‑term growth and market leadership.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Our company does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factor.

Qualifications

tbd

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.

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, 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

tbd