Forward Deployed Senior AI Engineer

SAP SE; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 272,000; Full time

Job summary

SAP SE is seeking a senior software engineer to design, develop, and operate AI-native enterprise applications within customer-embedded teams. You’ll apply AI/ML techniques under guidance to build production-grade solutions for enterprise customers.

Join a fast-paced team, learn continuously, and contribute to scalable, reliable cloud systems leveraging SAP AI technologies and modern development practices.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on software engineering in cloud-native, enterprise, and SaaS environments.
• Proficiency in Python and cloud-native development.
• Growing understanding of AI/ML concepts, LLMs, and API-based AI services.
• Ability to collaborate in teams and take ownership with accountability.
• Growth mindset and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and tools like Git, Docker, CI/CD.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of production-grade, cloud-native apps with AI capabilities.
• Work within customer projects and cross-functional delivery teams to understand processes and needs.
• Implement features and integrations under architectural guidance, ensuring quality and standards.
• Support prototyping, testing, and iteration of AI solutions in customer environments.
• Participate in code reviews, discussions, and design sessions to grow engineering skills.
• Assist with monitoring, troubleshooting, and reliability improvements of deployments.
• Contribute to documentation and reusable components to boost team productivity.
• Demonstrate proactive learning to stay current with AI/ML developments.

Skills

Python

Cloud-native

AI/ML concepts

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Cloud platforms

Git

Docker

CI/CD

Tools

Git

Docker

CI/CD pipelines

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.

Location: this is a hybrid position based from our New York City office located in the Hudson Yards.

What you'll build

In this role, you contribute to the design, development, and operation of AI-native enterprise applications within fast-moving, customer-embedded delivery teams.

You bring solid engineering fundamentals and a growing command of AI and machine learning techniques, applying them to solve real-world business problems under the guidance of Forward Deployed Architects and Managers.

This is a role for someone who is hungry to learn, eager to contribute, and excited by the challenge of building production-grade solutions that make a tangible difference for enterprise customers.

In this role, you will:

• Contribute to the development of production-grade, cloud-native applications integrating AI capabilities such as large language models, RAG pipelines, and agent-based components.
• Work within customer projects and cross-functional delivery teams, learning to understand business processes, technical landscapes, and customer needs.
• Implement features, components, and integrations under the guidance of architects , maintaining code quality and adherence to engineering standards.
• Support prototyping, testing, and iteration of AI solutions in customer environments, adapting to feedback and evolving requirements.
• Participate in code reviews, technical discussions, and design sessions, actively developing your engineering skills and knowledge.
• Assist with monitoring, troubleshooting, and improving deployed solutions to ensure reliability and operational stability.
• Contribute to documentation, reusable components, and engineering best practices to support team productivity and knowledge sharing.
• Demonstrate a proactive learning mindset — staying current with AI/ML developments and applying new techniques and tools to improve solution quality.

What you bring:

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in software and application engineering for cloud-native, enterprise, and SaaS environments, with strong knowledge of architectural principles such as scalability, security, and reliability.
• Solid foundational skills in software engineering, with proficiency in Python and hands‑on experience in at least one cloud‑native development environment.
• Growing understanding of AI and ML concepts, including familiarity with large language models, machine learning frameworks (e.g. TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn), and API-based AI services.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team, follow engineering standards, and take ownership of assigned tasks with a strong sense of accountability.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset — you actively seek feedback, learn from experience, and are motivated to grow quickly in a high-pace environment.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure, GCP) and familiarity with tools such as Git, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and customer‑facing settings.
• An interest in or early exposure to SAP AI technologies such as SAP AI Core or SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is a plus.
• Experience in developing software with customers is a big plus.

Where you belong:

You will be part of a growing AI and industry expert team serving customers across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. We invest in the growth of our people at every level — and this role is built for someone who wants to accelerate fast. You will be surrounded by experienced engineers and AI practitioners who are committed to helping you develop. You will thrive here if you are curious, hardworking, and motivated by the opportunity to build real AI solutions for real enterprise customers — from day one.

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.

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 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 annual combined range for this position is 131000-271600USD .The actual amount to be offered to the successful candidatewill be within that range, dependent upon the key aspects of each case which may include education, skills,experience, scope ofthe role, location, etc. as determinedthrough theselection 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 .

Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.