Forward Deployed Data and Applied Science Chief Expert

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.

In this role, you define and lead complex, high impact data science and applied AI initiatives that translate business strategy into scalable analytical solutions while embedded directly within customer environments and fast-moving delivery teams. You combine cloud native software engineering, enterprise data engineering, and production grade AI capabilities to solve complex real world business problems at speed. Acting as a trusted technical authority and strategic advisor, you guide senior stakeholders and cross functional teams from problem framing through delivery and measurable value realization. Your work directly influences enterprise level decisions by applying advanced modeling, machine learning, and AI techniques to the most complex and business critical challenges across customer and internal contexts. You set direction, standards, and best practices for excellence in data and applied science.

You will:

• Own the delivery of complex, multi-dimensional data science and applied AI programs aligned with business strategy and financial objectives.
• Act as the chief technical authority for advanced analytics, machine learning, and applied AI across domains, setting standards for quality, rigor, and scalability.
• Design, oversee, and govern advanced data models, algorithms, and ML/AI systems, ensuring enterprise-grade robustness and real-world impact.
• Translate ambiguous, strategic business challenges into clear analytical approaches, success metrics, and decision frameworks.
• Partner with senior business, product, and engineering leaders to influence strategy, roadmaps, and investment decisions through data-driven insights.
• Embed directly into customer projects and fast moving cross functional teams to rapidly understand business processes, technical landscapes, and operational challenges.
• Represent SAP externally as a recognized expert, building trusted relationships and strategic partnerships with customers and stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide senior data scientists, fostering innovation, technical excellence, and professional growth across the community.
• Lead strategic, customer-facing engagements by partnering with senior stakeholders to shape high-value AI and data science initiatives and drive the co-creation and delivery of enterprise-scale solutions with measurable business impact.

• You demonstrate a proactive approach to leveraging AI in everyday workflows, ensuring high-quality outputs through thoughtful context design and system integration.
• Deep expertise in data science, applied statistics, and machine learning, with end-to-end ownership from problem framing through deployment and value measurement.
• Proven ability to lead and govern complex, business-critical initiatives in high-ambiguity, high-impact environments.
• Proven ability to work in an Agentic AI context, shaping and applying AI agents that act autonomously within defined boundaries, collaborate with human stakeholders, and deliver measurable business outcomes in customer-centric environments.
• Strong command of modern analytics and ML technologies, including advanced modeling, large-scale data processing, and AI-driven approaches (e.g. NLP, generative AI).
• Exceptional stakeholder communication and advisory skills, with the ability to influence and guide senior executives.
• Recognition as a thought leader or “go-to” expert in data and applied science, both internally and externally.
• Expertise in designing scalable end-to-end data pipelines and ETL/ELT architectures
• Strong expertise in enterprise data modelling, orchestration, and system integration
• Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL for large-scale data engineering
• Hands-on experience with PySpark, Databricks, and distributed data processing
• Expertise in workflow orchestration using Airflow and similar platforms
• Strong experience with SAP HANA and enterprise-grade data platforms
• Proficiency in lakehouse and columnar storage technologies such as Parquet and Delta Lake
• Experience implementing real-time streaming architectures using Kafka or equivalent technologies
• Strong focus on data quality, governance, compliance, and PII management
• Expertise in applying CI/CD, Docker, and Git within modern data engineering workflows

You will be part of a growing AI and industry expert team dedicated to serving customers across the region (Americas, Europe, Asia). We are building a collaborative, high-impact environment that brings together deep AI expertise, strong industry knowledge, and regional understanding to help customers innovate, transform, and lead in their markets.

This team thrives on working together to turn complex business challenges into practical, scalable solutions. You will find an environment that values curiosity, ownership, and continuous learning, where new ideas are encouraged and real-world impact matters. This is a place for people who enjoy building something new. You will thrive here if you are customer-centric, motivated by meaningful outcomes, and comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-evolving AI landscape.

We work closely with decision-makers, challenge assumptions with data, and give data scientists room to influence strategy-not just produce analysis. We value sharp thinking, business curiosity, and clear communication.

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. 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: Careers@sap.com.