Ref. 119375 – Senior AI Engineer (m/f/d)
NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE!
At our location in Kaiserslautern, you will find our European Technology Center, which is part of the global John Deere research network. 250 employees investigate future trends and develop technologies in the field of mobile agriculture and construction machinery in close cooperation with various research institutes. Together we develop and distribute innovative products and services in the field of precision agriculture. #wearekaiserslautern
Our Early Stage Development Group is looking for a
Senior AI Engineer (m/f/d)
The team operates at the early stages of technology development, where you will translate emerging AI concepts into working prototypes, evaluate their feasibility and limitations, and help derisk architectural and product decisions before series development.
What You´ll Get:
* modern and flexible working, part-time options, shared-leadership and much more
* excellent benefits, such as employer-funded occupational pension / life cover / income protection benefits
* further benefits such as subsidized Company Bike, FamPlus and much more
* an attractive compensation package including variable pay program
In addition to the gross monthly salary, the salary for this position (full-time) consists of various special payments. Depending on your experience, you can expect an annual starting salary of between 90.360 and 124.72 EUR in this position.
Your Responsibilities:
* Shape the next generation of AI enabled machine software platforms by exploring, prototyping, and validating future oriented AI architectures and capabilities
* Translate emerging AI concepts - including machine learning and large language models (LLMs) - into working prototypes that derisk product and architectural decisions early
* Design, implement, and iterate on end-to-end AI solutions, from data ingestion and model integration to deployment within scalable software systems
* Build and evaluate AI driven workflows that span machines, edge systems, and cloud platforms
* Integrate AI components into modular, service-oriented software architectures that can evolve from prototype to series ready solutions
* Evaluate AI models, frameworks, and architectural patterns with a focus on feasibility, scalability, performance, and long-term viability
* Plan and execute verification and validation activities for AI enabled systems, including understanding limitations, risks, and operational boundaries
* Collaborate closely with cross domain partners (software engineering, embedded, cloud, UX, systems engineering) to translate future requirements into tangible AI solutions
* Drive technical discussions and architectural tradeoffs with a strong engineering mindset and a bias toward learning by building
* Act as a technical sparring partner and thought leader for AI and data driven technologies within the early stage development context
What Skills You Need:
* 3+ years of experience designing and implementing AI driven software systems, including hands-on development of applications that integrate Large Language Models (LLMs)beyond simple prompting
* Hands-on experience delivering 2+ AI/LLM projects in a production environment or professional research context, involving agentic or tool using LLM workflows, including multistep orchestration where models interact with tools, APIs, and/or services
* Demonstrated contribution to 2+ AI/LLM efforts executed in a production environment or professional research setting, with context management in LLM based systems, including enterprise grounding techniques (e.g. Retrieval Augmented Generation), to ensure reliable, context aware AI behavior using domain specific or enterprise data
* Practical experience gained from 2+ professionally executed AI/LLM projects, delivered either in production systems or structured research environments, with LLM evaluation and quality management, including handling nondeterministic behavior, defining validation strategies, and implementing output quality controls
* 5+ years of strong software engineering experience, with the ability to write maintainable, testable, production quality code in complex systems
* 5+ years of experience in system and architecture design, including defining scalable architecture, service boundaries, data flows, and technical tradeoffs
* 5+ years of experience driving technical ownership and decisions, independently structuring and solving complex problems under uncertainty
* Demonstrated ability to act as a technical enabler and multiplier, translating complex technical concepts into clear, actionable guidance and sharing patterns, best practices, and reference implementations.
* Experience working in international, cross functional development teams, with regular professional communication in English (minimum level B2)
What Makes You Stand Out:
* Experience with AI observability, testing, and validation, such as prompt regression tests, evaluation harnesses, or monitoring AI behavior over time
* Experience with LLM security and safety topics, including prompt injection risks, tool access control, and response boundary setting
* Experience building rapid AI prototypes or proof of concepts, validating feasibility and derisking early stage initiatives
* Experience with API and integration design, enabling AI systems to integrate cleanly into larger software ecosystems
* Experience with cloud native development, including deploying and operating AI enabled services in cloud or hybrid environments
* Awareness of enterprise AI constraints, such as data protection, authorization, access control, and governance requirements
* Experience evaluating tradeoffs in AI/LLM systems, balancing latency, cost, scalability, and solution quality
Education:
Ideally you will have a degree or equivalent related work experience in the following:
* Master’s or Diploma degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field with a strong foundation in modern AI and software engineering.
This exempt position is based in Kaiserslautern and vacant immediately.
End of Posting: 13th April 2026
No matter who you are - you are welcome at John Deere! We firmly believe that diversity and inclusion make us even stronger. If you can identify yourself with this - then we look forward to receiving your online application in English language!
Not everyone can claim that their work contributes to the fundamental needs of the world's growing population. At John Deere, you can!
As a leading global machinery manufacturer, we produce technologically advanced agricultural, forestry, construction, lawn and grounds care equipment. In recent years, we have developed the company into a more technology focused business. Share with us, our vision of a farm of the future, based on artificial intelligence, automation and connectivity to sustainably feed and shelter our growing world. #leapforward
John Deere Kaiserslautern
Human Resources
Dilara Gökburun
Additional Information:
To process applications, we use our online platform at our John Deere career page. We are not able to process applications through e-mail or post and ask for your understanding. Please complete the online application form, if you want to apply for a position at John Deere.
If you have any questions about your application, please contact: RecruitingGermany@JohnDeere.com .