AI Software Engineer

About The Company The appliedAI Initiative is dedicated to transforming Europe's industrial landscape into a leader in the age of artificial intelligence. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem of strong partners, comprehensive programs, services, and solutions, the organization aims to advance companies holistically on their AI journey. The team is characterized by its diversity, interdisciplinary expertise, and a shared drive to develop applicable and trustworthy AI solutions. The initiative emphasizes building deep technical knowledge while focusing on real-world applicability, ensuring that AI deployment is both innovative and reliable. With a forward-looking vision, appliedAI recognizes the significance of AI Agents as a dominant future topic and strives to influence how this technology is integrated into industry and society across Europe. The organization values openness, collaboration, and a shared goal of strengthening the European AI landscape through knowledge-sharing and responsible AI practices. About The Role We are seeking an experienced AI/ML Engineer to take a leading role in building and delivering production-grade AI systems for our industrial clients. In this position, you will own end-to-end AI deployment projects, ensuring the solutions meet the highest standards of quality, security, and operational maturity. Your expertise will set the engineering standards for the team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. You will be responsible for architecting complex AI solutions, including classical machine learning, generative AI applications, validated retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic systems, with particular attention to operational technology (OT) and edge constraints, hybrid deployment environments, and MLOps practices. Additionally, you will lead technical delivery from initial architecture through to production hardening and client handover, collaborating closely with engagement leads to optimize scope and value. Your role will also involve developing reusable engineering frameworks, mentoring engineers across different levels, and promoting best practices within the team to ensure scalable and sustainable AI solutions. This is a strategic position that combines technical leadership with hands-on engineering, aimed at shaping the future of industrial AI applications. Qualifications 10+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 5 years focused on building and operating AI/ML systems in production environmentsDeep understanding of distributed systems, APIs, data pipelines, and cloud-native architecture (Azure, AWS, GCP)Proficiency in containerization, CI/CD pipelines, and MLOps best practicesStrong command of Python and the modern AI stack, including PyTorch, LangChain/LangGraph, vector stores, and evaluation frameworksExperience working with platforms such as Azure AI Foundry or similar cloud AI servicesProven track record leading complex, end-to-end AI engineering projects, especially in industrial or regulated contextsPragmatic, code-first approach with a focus on quality, security, and operational maturityExcellent communication skills in English; working proficiency in German is a plus Responsibilities Architect and implement production-grade AI solutions for industrial clients, including classical ML, GenAI, validated RAG, and agentic systemsDesign solutions considering OT/edge constraints, validation gates, on-premises, and hybrid deployment environmentsDefine and uphold engineering standards across the team, including code quality, review processes, evaluation frameworks, observability, and securityLead technical delivery from architecture design to production deployment and client handoverDevelop reusable engineering tools such as templates, libraries, and evaluation frameworks to enhance team efficiencyMentor mid-level and senior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvementCollaborate with engagement leads to align project scope, timeline, and value deliveryStay updated with the latest AI advancements and integrate them into projects to ensure innovative solutions Benefits Join a highly motivated team of approximately 90 professionals dedicated to shaping Europe's AI landscapeHybrid work model offering flexibility to work from our offices in Heilbronn or Munich, or remotelyOpportunities to influence a variety of impactful projects and develop new AI content based on the latest technological advancementsAn environment that encourages experimentation and innovative thinking in software, hardware, and processesAccess to a broad network of startups, partners, and tech companies, enhancing professional growth and collaborationPersonal development opportunities through training, certifications, conferences, and challenging projectsWellness benefits including sports memberships via Wellpass, providing access to numerous sports facilities across GermanyJobRad program allowing you to lease a bike at a reduced rate, with coverage for insuranceSabbatical options of up to three months after three years of service for personal growth and explorationSupport through PME Familienservice offering 24/7 assistance for work-life balance, childcare, and personal challengesMonthly mobility budget contribution for public transport or shared mobility options via the Moovster appWorkation policy enabling you to work from anywhere for up to three months per year, combining work and leisure Equal Opportunity We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable laws. We believe diversity fosters innovation and excellence, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join our team.