Head of Software Engineering & Architecture in R&D

Are you passionate about building high-performing engineering organizations and shaping the future of digital product delivery? Do you enjoy combining strong technical understanding with people leadership, operational excellence, and transformation?

In KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA Einbeck, we are looking for a Head (m/f/d) of Software Engineering & Architecture in R&D to lead and further develop our digital engineering organization. As part of the R&D Digital Product & Technology Development leadership team you will drive the delivery of digital products, platforms, and services for R&D, while continuously improving engineering standards, delivery performance, quality, reliability, and productivity.

You will play a key role in evolving our engineering setup into a more flexible, AI-enabled, and metric-driven organization that can respond dynamically to changing business priorities and accelerate innovation across KWS.

Your Responsibilities

As Head (m/f/d) of Software Engineering & Architecture in R&D, you will shape the future of digital product delivery at KWS by building a high-performing and adaptable engineering organization that enables innovation on a scale.

You will:

• Lead and further develop the engineering organization responsible for delivering digital products, platforms, and services that support our global R&D activities.
• Drive engineering excellence by creating an environment where teams can deliver reliable, secure, and high-quality solutions with speed and impact.
• Build a future-ready organization by advancing modern ways of working, strengthening engineering capabilities, and unlocking the potential of AI across the development lifecycle.
• Foster strong partnerships across business and technology functions while ensuring effective collaboration with external vendors and service partners.
• Inspire, coach, and empower leaders and teams, cultivating a culture of accountability, continuous learning, innovation, and inclusion.

Your Profile

You are an experienced technology leader (m/f/d) who enjoys developing people, shaping organizations, and turning ambitious ideas into business value., In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape a strategically important engineering function at the interface of digital technology, R&D, and innovation. You will work in a global environment and contribute to strengthening the digital capabilities that support KWS’ future growth.

You can expect:

• A leadership role with global scope and high strategic relevance.
• The opportunity to shape modern engineering standards, practices, and operating models
• Highly motivated internal teams of software developers working in synthony with external teams
• A strong support to enable new technologies, like AI, and to develop future-ready digital capabilities
• Close collaboration with digital products, technology, R&D, and business stakeholders
• A working environment that values collaboration, accountability, continuous learning, and innovation

Join Us

If you are excited about leading engineering transformation, enabling high-performing teams, and shaping the future of digital product delivery in an innovative R&D environment, we look forward to receiving your application.

• Proven leadership experience in software engineering, digital product development, or technology-driven organizations.
• A track record successfully leading complex products, platforms, or transformation initiatives in dynamic environments.
• Strong understanding of modern engineering practices and the ability to translate strategic goals into effective execution.
• Experience driving organizational change and building high-performing teams through trust, empowerment, and collaboration.
• Curiosity for emerging technologies, including AI, and a passion for continuously improving how engineering teams work and deliver value.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with fluency in English. German is a plus.

KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

Agriculture

1,001-5,000 employees