Principal Forward Deployed Architect

SAP SE; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 176,000 - 374,000; Full time

Job summary

SAP is hiring a Principal Forward Deployed Architect to lead enterprise AI programs, define architectures, and mentor engineering teams across multiple engagements. You will partner with executives to shape AI transformation and establish reusable patterns for scalable delivery.

The role requires deep technical expertise with LLMs, AI platforms, and cross-functional leadership, based in a hybrid setup from New York City.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of software engineering and enterprise architecture experience with significant customer-facing delivery.
• Deep experience with LLMs, agentic AI, RAG, GraphRAG, Knowledge Graphs, vector databases, MCP, tool calling, evaluation frameworks, and AI observability.
• Extensive experience with SAP BTP, SAP AI Core, Joule, SAP integration technologies, and enterprise landscapes.
• Strong background in Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD, DevSecOps, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and distributed systems.
• Proven ability to architect large-scale enterprise solutions integrating SAP and non-SAP systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams and mentoring senior technical talent.
• Exceptional communication and executive stakeholder management skills.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to balance business outcomes, technical excellence, and delivery execution.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

AI leadership

LLMs

Stakeholder mgmt

Cross-functional teams

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/AI/Engineering

Tools

SAP BTP

Joule

Kubernetes

Docker

SAP AI Core

CI/CD

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

As a Principal Forward Deployed Architect, you will provide technical leadership for SAP's most strategic AI engagements. You will define enterprise AI architectures, lead multidisciplinary delivery teams, and partner with executive stakeholders to shape AI transformation programs. This is a senior expert role for architects who combine deep technical expertise with customer leadership and the ability to establish reusable engineering patterns across multiple engagements.

In this role, you will

• Own the end-to-end architecture for complex enterprise AI programs from discovery through production.
• Lead solution architecture spanning AI agents, RAG, Knowledge Graphs, MCP, multi-agent systems, enterprise integrations, and cloud-native platforms.
• Serve as the primary technical advisor for customer executives, enterprise architects, and program leadership.
• Architect scalable AI platforms using SAP AI Core, SAP BTP, Joule, Kubernetes, hyperscalers, and enterprise integration services.
• Define reference architectures, reusable frameworks, golden paths, engineering standards, and governance models.
• Lead technical discovery workshops, architecture reviews, and executive solution presentations.
• Guide engineering teams across multiple customer engagements while mentoring senior engineers and architects.
• Drive security, observability, performance, compliance, and operational excellence for enterprise AI solutions.
• Influence SAP product teams by providing architectural feedback from customer implementations.
• Identify innovation opportunities and establish new technical capabilities for the Forward Deployed Engineering organization.

What you bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of software engineering and enterprise architecture experience with significant customer-facing delivery.
• Deep experience with LLMs, agentic AI, RAG, GraphRAG, Knowledge Graphs, vector databases, MCP, tool calling, evaluation frameworks, and AI observability.
• Extensive experience with SAP BTP, SAP AI Core, Joule, SAP integration technologies, and enterprise landscapes.
• Strong background in Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD, DevSecOps, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and distributed systems.
• Proven ability to architect large-scale enterprise solutions integrating SAP and non-SAP systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams and mentoring senior technical talent.
• Exceptional communication and executive stakeholder management skills.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to balance business outcomes, technical excellence, and delivery execution.

Nice to have

• Experience defining enterprise AI strategy or AI Centers of Excellence.
• Thought leadership through patents, publications, conference speaking, or open-source contributions.
• Experience building reusable platforms, accelerators, or enterprise engineering frameworks.
• Knowledge of regulated industries and enterprise governance models.

Where you belong

You will join SAP's senior Forward Deployed Engineering leadership community, partnering with customers across the Americas, Europe, and Asia to deliver mission-critical AI transformations. You will shape technical strategy, influence SAP's AI roadmap through customer insights, and establish the architectural standards that accelerate delivery across the organization.

Location

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

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.

Accessibility and Accommodation

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].

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.

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 176300-374200USD .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 .

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