Lead AI Software Engineer / Architect (m/f/d)

Lead AI Software Engineer / Architect (m/f/d)

In Germany - Berlin

We are seeking an experienced Lead AI Software Engineer / Architect ready to push the boundaries of what AI can do for business and participate in continuing to shape and realize our vision for next generation pricing. In this role you will design, build, and optimize scalable AI and GenAI products. You’ll be part of our AI team where you will work closely with our AI Product Manager, Data Scientists, and MLOps engineers to experiment, prototype, and design scalable AI features that bring intelligence, transparency and reliability to our SaaS pricing apps — turning ideas into real, impactful customer experiences.

Simon-Kucher is at the forefront of innovation in our space, inventing business models, algorithms, solutions, and methodologies for unlocking better growth of our clients. And Simon-Kucher Engine’s digital end-to-end solutions deliver sustained top-line impact for our clients. Are you interested in working in a team of digital evangelists with a can-do attitude? Want to experience the dynamics of agile processes in open-minded teams? How about getting creative in a startup atmosphere with a steep development curve and flat hierarchies? And most importantly, do you want to make a difference? Then you've come to the right place.

This is a hybrid position with flexible time split between working in our Berlin office and remote working.

What makes us special:

• Advance your career with exciting professional opportunities in our thriving company with an entrepreneurial and startup spirit
• Add to your experience with our projects that focus on growth, have a positive impact, and truly matter
• Voice your unique ideas in a corporate culture defined by openness and integrity
• Enjoy the opportunity to work from abroad (workation)
• Feel at home working with our helpful, enthusiastic colleagues who have great team spirit
• Broaden your perspective with our extensive training curriculum and learning programs (e.g. LinkedIn Learning)
• Speak your mind in our holistic feedback and development processes (e.g. 360-degree feedback)
• Satisfy your need for adventure with our opportunities to live and work abroad in one of our many international offices
• Enjoy our benefits, such as hybrid working, daycare allowance, corporate discounts, and wellbeing support (e.g. Headspace).
• Unwind in our break areas where you can help yourself to the healthy snacks and beverages provided
• See another side of your coworkers at our frequent employee events and highly anticipated World Meeting and Holiday Party

How you will create an impact:

• Design, prototype and experiment, turning new ideas into tangible MVPs and proofs of concept through refining them with feedback from consultants and clients.
• Lead the development of AI products tailored to real business challenges — from concept to scalable implementation.
• Build and optimize advanced AI systems with tool calls, including RAG pipelines, fine-tuned LLMs, and robust data integrations across internal and external sources (e.g., pricing databases).
• Mentor and empower the engineering team by setting clear technical direction, fostering best practices, and ensuring strong architectural foundations.
• Define and uphold high engineering standards and code quality across the AI team.
• Collaborate with MLOps engineers to deploy, monitor, and continuously improve production models.
• Drive performance, latency, and cost efficiency across all AI and GenAI solutions to ensure scalable, real-world impact.
• Implement robust monitoring and evaluation pipelines using observability tools to ensure performance, reliability, explainability and transparency of AI solutions.
• Stay at the forefront of AI and GenAI innovation, continuously evaluating emerging models, tools, and techniques for potential adoption.

About you:

• You have 8+ years in software engineering, with at least 2 years focused on AI/ML.
• A standout university degree in a relevant field, with fluency in business English.
• Proven leadership in managing teams through complex infrastructure and data-centric projects, encouraging collaboration and innovation.
• Proven experience in designing and building applications using GenAI models, including opensource ad code generating models.
• Strong Python skills and experience with AI frameworks like Hugging Face Transformers, LangChain, and PyTorch.
• Experience with building and querying vector stores and knowledge retrieval systems.
• Working experience with cloud platforms.
• Working knowledge of MLOps, CI/CD for ML, and model monitoring.
• Familiarity with data privacy, model safety, and responsible AI practices.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

Nice to have

• Experience in pricing applications, fintech, or B2B SaaS platforms.