Head Engineering - SAP Business Network Core

SAP SE; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 370,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

SAP SE in Palo Alto, CA seeks a Head of Engineering for SAP Business Network Core to define and execute the engineering strategy across platforms, data foundation, and AI-native services. You will lead multiple engineering organizations, set goals, and partner with product and architecture leaders to drive scalable, future‑oriented solutions.

The role requires executive leadership experience, deep cloud and SaaS knowledge, and a track record of building high‑performing teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in software development, with leadership experience.
• Proficiency in SAP product development and understanding of the SAP ecosystem.
• Engineering Management experience as a manager managing managers.
• Ability to translate business requirements to SaaS solutions.
• Experience with cloud architectures and SDLC for SaaS.
• Strong problem solving, decision making, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience with cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, GCP.
• Familiarity with programming languages such as Java, C#, or C++.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the engineering strategy for SAP Business Network Core.
• Lead large-scale engineering organizations responsible for applications, platform services, APIs, cloud infrastructure, data platforms, and AI capabilities.
• Shape technology and product roadmaps in partnership with Product Management, Architecture, and Engineering leadership.
• Establish engineering goals, priorities, KPIs, and operating mechanisms across multiple teams and organizations.
• Define and execute the Data Foundation strategy for SAP Business Network, enabling a unified and governed data ecosystem.
• Lead development of AI-native platform capabilities, intelligent services, and advanced analytics solutions.
• Drive the evolution of business logic, configuration systems, and forecasting models into intelligent reasoning systems.
• Establish standards and governance for AI engineering, MLOps, data architecture, platform scalability, and responsible AI adoption.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Interpersonal communication

Mentoring and coaching

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or equivalent experience

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

SAP ecosystem

Job description

Head Engineering - SAP Business Network Core

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.

As Head of Engineering for SAP Business Network Core, you will define and execute the engineering strategy for the platform, data foundation, AI-native services, and core technologies that power SAP Business Network.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Champion the success of your direct reports, engineering leaders, and the broader organization by identifying growth opportunities and enabling career development.
• Build, scale, and lead multiple engineering organizations while fostering a strong culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and engineering excellence.
• Coach and mentor managers and senior leaders through regular feedback, development planning, and succession management.
• Drive organizational effectiveness through talent acquisition, retention strategies, and continuous learning programs.
• Serve as a role model who creates the future, builds teams, develops people, and manages performance.
• Engineering Leadership:
• Define and execute the engineering strategy for SAP Business Network Core.
• Lead large-scale engineering organizations responsible for applications, platform services, APIs, cloud infrastructure, data platforms, and AI capabilities.
• Shape technology and product roadmaps in partnership with Product Management, Architecture, and Engineering leadership.
• Establish engineering goals, priorities, KPIs, and operating mechanisms across multiple teams and organizations.
• Define and execute the Data Foundation strategy for SAP Business Network, enabling a unified and governed data ecosystem.
• Lead development of AI-native platform capabilities, intelligent services, and advanced analytics solutions.
• Drive the evolution of business logic, configuration systems, and forecasting models into intelligent reasoning systems.
• Establish standards and governance for AI engineering, MLOps, data architecture, platform scalability, and responsible AI adoption.
• Partner closely with Product, Data Science, Engineering, and Architecture leaders to embed intelligence directly into core product capabilities.
• Change Management & Organizational Development:
• Actively lead organizational transformation and engineering modernization initiatives
• Anticipate skill gaps and drive upskilling strategies.
• Implement measures to retain talent, especially during critical phases.
• Foster an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Champion and actively participate in the Continuous Improvement Process (CIP).
• Company Representation:
• Represent SAP internally and externally as a technology and engineering leader.
• Act as a spokesperson for SAP Business Network engineering strategy and innovation initiatives.
• Build trusted relationships with executive stakeholders, customers, partners, and industry leaders.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate combines executive engineering leadership experience with a strong background in cloud platforms, enterprise software, data platforms, and AI-powered systems. They must demonstrate a proven ability to build high-performing organizations, define technology strategy, and deliver products that create measurable customer and business impact.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in software development, with a substantial period in a leadership position.
• Proficiency in SAP product development and a deep understanding of the SAP ecosystem.
• Engineering Management experience as a manager managing managers.
• The ability to translate business requirements to SaaS solutions.
• Thought Leader with the ability to execute from incubation to implementation of products.
• Exceptional problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of SaaS technologies and respective SDLC
• 7+ years demonstrated experience in building, managing, and maintaining cloud systems.
• Experience in design and implementation of applications in the cloud, preferably in one of Azure, GCP or AWS.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in non-functional requirements.
• Familiarity with one or more programming languages such as Java, C#, or C++
• Ability to resolve executive-level escalations with minimal impact to business while improving or maintaining already excellent customer satisfaction.

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.

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 370400-USD .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.

Location: Palo Alto, CA, US, 94304

Nearest Major Market: San Jose
Nearest Secondary Market: Palo Alto
Job Segment: Cloud, SAP, ERP, Network, Network Engineer, Technology, Engineering