Senior Data & AI Lead Architect (m/f/d)

Senior Data & AI Lead Architect (m/f/d)

We are strengthening our IT Data Management & AI team in Friedrichshafen.

About the team and the position:
Join ZF’s central IT Data Management & AI team and help take the company to the next level of efficiency. As a key driver of enterprise-wide digital transformation, we connect data, processes, and ecosystems to unlock measurable business value—building scalable platforms, advanced analytics solutions, and impactful AI use cases across the global organization. Be part of a highly collaborative environment where innovation, technology excellence, and real operational impact come together.

What you can look forward to as Senior Data & AI Lead Architect (m/f/d):

• Own and drive the enterprise-wide Data & AI architecture, translating strategy into scalable solutions that power digital transformation across the organization.
• Act as the leading authority for Data & AI architecture, defining standards, guiding principles, and making high-impact architectural decisions at enterprise level.
• Design and evolve a modern, integrated data landscape enabling advanced analytics, AI, and GenAI use cases across all business domains.
• Evaluate and introduce cutting-edge Data & AI technologies while balancing innovation, performance, and cost efficiency in a global IT environment.
• Mentor and guide a global community of architects and engineers, fostering excellence, collaboration, and a strong data-driven culture.

Your Profile as Senior Data & AI Lead Architect (m/f/d): 

• Experienced IT professional with a strong background in enterprise architecture and a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Technology
• Proven track record in designing and delivering scalable IT architectures and solutions, ideally in the field of Data & AI
• Deep expertise in Data & AI architectures, including modern data platforms, data governance, and AI/ML (incl. Generative AI)
• Solid understanding of cloud environments and architecture governance in complex enterprise landscapes
• Strong strategic mindset with excellent stakeholder management and the ability to translate business needs into scalable solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both German and English

Benefits for Friedrichshafen:

• Health management
• Retirement planning
• Subsidies: Public transportation, cafeteria and canteen
• ZF Velo (bike leasing), “EGYM Wellpass” ZF fitness program
• Carpooling options, company shuttle services
• Home office options, ZF daycare center, holiday childcare
• Care support: Assistance with caring for relatives