Principal AI & Data Architect (m/f/d)

Join us!

We’re always happy to hear from people who are eager to learn and grow, and share our values. Read more about the role and apply.

About the role

Prototypes have become cheap. What counts is whether they work in a company's daily reality: integrated, secure and measurable. Most AI projects never get there. Not because the model is wrong, but because data, architecture and operations were never built for production.

At Futurice, strategy, design and technology work in one team. As Principal AI & Data Architect, you make sure that what we design actually runs, and you are the technical voice that wins our clients' trust before a project even starts.

We build agentic-first. Agents are not a feature on top of a system, they shape how it is designed. You know where that works, where it doesn't, and when a simple rule beats an LLM.

There is more than one path into this role: AI or ML engineering, data engineering and analytics, cloud and platform architecture, or designing AI platforms, governance and operating setups for large organisations. We'll hire at Senior or Principal level, depending on your experience.

What you'll own

• Technical lead in pursuits: You are the technical face in proposals and pitches. You shape the architecture, estimate effort realistically and build the technical credibility that wins the work.

• Agentic-first architecture and build: Design and build production-grade AI solutions with agents at the core, from multi-agent systems and RAG to AI features and workflows people use every day.

• Agent-ready systems: Design interfaces, data and permissions so that agents, including those of our clients' customers, can work with systems safely.

• Data foundations: Shape and build the data platforms, pipelines and analytics that AI depends on, on Azure, AWS or GCP and with tools like Databricks, Snowflake or Microsoft Fabric.

• From pilot to measurable impact: Take solutions into operation with MLOps/LLMOps, systematic evaluation, monitoring and cost control, and make their effect measurable for the business case.

• AI-native engineering: Help shape how we build with agents ourselves: coding agents, evaluation and review, for more speed and quality in every project.

• Secure, compliant, independent: Your solutions are secure by design, meet GDPR and EU AI Act requirements and stay modular, without lock-in to a single AI vendor.

• Raise the bar: Coach engineers, build reusable assets and grow our AI and data capability in Germany.

What you bring

• Production track record: You have built and run AI, ML or data-intensive systems. You can walk us through a concrete example: what went live and what it changed.

• Engineering depth: Strong Python and cloud-native engineering on at least one major cloud, including IaC, containers and CI/CD.

• Agentic first: Experience with agentic systems beyond the chatbot: tool use, orchestration, RAG and systematic LLM evaluation in integrated systems.

• Data know-how: Solid experience with data modelling, pipelines and modern data platforms.

• Pre-sales experience: You have shaped the technical side of proposals and can hold your own in a pitch.

• Sound judgement: You make good calls under uncertainty and know that not every problem needs an LLM.

• AI-native way of working: AI tools and agents are a natural part of how you design, code and test. And you bring others along.

• Strong client communication: You explain technical decisions clearly and confidently, from engineers to the board.

• Languages: Fluent English. German is a strong plus and required for some of our clients.

What this role is not

• Not a research or pure data science role. We build for production.

• Not architecture on slides. You design, and you stay close to the code.

• Not a line management role.

How you'll know it's working after twelve months

• Several solutions you architected run in production and are used every day, with a measured effect.

• We have won proposals in which your technical part made the difference.

• Our agentic way of building is measurably faster and better, and your contribution is visible in it.

• Client CTOs and architects ask for you by name.

• Colleagues reuse assets and patterns you built.

Futurice offers you

We support your growth with a wide range of projects, tools, and learning opportunities. Our client portfolio is diverse, offering a variety of challenges and problem spaces that give you room to explore new areas and develop your skills in meaningful ways. You’ll be encouraged and inspired throughout your journey by a community of motivated, multidisciplinary colleagues across development, design, data, AI and strategy.

You’ll get a thorough local and global onboarding, plus your very own Futubuddy to support you throughout your journey with us. And to top it off, you’ll have the chance to join our Onboarding Camp.

Beyond that, here are some of our Benefits:

• Hybrid work - Work from the office, home, or at the client, depending on team and project needs. We recommend 2-3 days in the office per week, with possibilities for short-term remote work from abroad

• Occupational Health Insurance - An annual budget of €600 for health services not covered by statutory insurance (e.g. glasses, dental)

• Sports Club membership - Access to hundreds of fitness and wellness facilities via Urban Sports Club or EGYM WellPass

• Mobility Budget - Up to €30/month to support your commute

A full list of all benefits will be provided with the Job offer.

Compensation

Your complete compensation package will be discussed in detail during the recruitment process. Our salary model is designed to offer a range of levels based on three factors: skills, responsibilities and impact. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment where every employee has the opportunity to thrive and advance in their career and become better versions of themselves.

During the initial interview round, we will discuss the salary range for this position. We offer a fixed salary with the possibility of performance-based bonuses and additional benefits.

Next steps

If this sounds like the opportunity you’re looking for, please submit your application.

Our form is simple: share your contact details and upload your attachments. We’d love to see your CV and a few lines about yourself and why you want to join Futurice. You can also include links to your LinkedIn, GitHub, or portfolio or any other materials you find relevant.

After we receive your application, we’ll be in touch. If you move forward, the process includes an initial conversation to get to know each other, a deeper discussion with future colleagues about your skills, and a general chat about potential projects. Ideally, some of these conversations happen in person at one of our three offices (Berlin, Munich, or Stuttgart).

Reference calls are also a standard part of our recruitment process.

What’s it like to work here

Ever since Futurice was founded, we’ve focused on creating a workplace people genuinely enjoy, Mondays included. We’ve built a welcoming culture where trust, kindness, and well-being matter as much as great work. Our atmosphere is open and warm, whether you’re in the office or working remotely. You’ll quickly feel part of the community where coffee chats, virtual fikas, or after-work hangouts happen naturally.

Because our culture is shaped by all of us, every day, you’ll have an opportunity to influence how we work, connect, and evolve as a community. Across countries, teams, and time zones, everyone brings their own character, helping shape how we work, connect, and evolve together.

At Futurice, new joiners aren’t expected to fit into a mold. Come as you are, whatever your background. We believe in the power of different perspectives, and diversity is a key part of our success at delivering customer value when they trust us with some of their most challenging and inspiring challenges. You can read more about our DE&I commitment here.