Tasks

Our data platform runs on Databricks. The foundation is in place – the exciting work begins now: a data model that supports the entire company, seamless integrations with ERP, CRM, and market data, AI applications built upon it, and standards that support a growing team. We are looking for you as a Lead Data Engineer - Data Platform & AI (m/f/d) .

You will assume technical ownership of the platform: architecture, data model, and implementation are your decisions. You will work hands-on with Python, SQL, and Databricks, with end-to-end ownership from prototype to operation – and use AI-powered development (e.g., Claude Code) as a natural tool, not as an extra topic.

• Responsible for the data platform : You will further develop our Databricks Lakehouse – architecture, pipelines, operation, costs – and decide how we expand it.
• Building the data model : You design the central data model for products, customers, market, and transactions – the foundation for reporting, self-service, and AI. You decide how much structure we need and where pragmatism prevails.
• Integrate systems : You connect ERP (Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central), CRM, external market data and APIs – robustly, documented, monitored.
• Putting AI into action : You build LLM-based workflows, agents and internal tools that are built on the platform and relieve specialist departments of real work.
• Engineering efficiency: You automate what slows down engineering – deployments, tests, monitoring, infrastructure as code – so that changes to the platform go into production in minutes instead of days, and pipelines run reliably even without supervision.
• Technical leadership: You set the guidelines for code quality, Git workflow and documentation, review what ends up on the platform, are a sparring partner for analysts and product owners, and the technical counterpart for external developers and partners.
• Working with the business : Together with our Product Owner, our analysts and the specialist departments, you translate requirements into working solutions – from prototype in days to stable operation.

qualification

This is what you bring with you

Several years of experience as a builder in the data/tech environment – ​​as a Senior Data Engineer, Analytics Engineer, Tech Lead, or all-rounder. Whether you already hold the title of Tech Lead or earn it here is irrelevant to us – skills count more than years of experience.

• Databricks: You have built productively on Databricks or a comparable Lakehouse stack (Spark, Delta Lake) and know how to operate a platform, not just use it.
• Data modeling: You have designed data models that have been used in the company – dimensional modeling, master data, hierarchies – and can explain why you chose each one.
• Python & SQL: Excellent knowledge of data processing, integrations and automation.
• Experience with integrations and APIs : you connect systems that weren't designed to work together. ERP experience is a plus.
• Confident handling of Git, CI/CD and clean code – and the ability to set standards in a team without creating bureaucracy.
• AI practice: You work with LLM APIs and AI-supported development tools on a daily basis and ideally have already brought workflows or agents into production.
• Excellent German skills, both spoken and written.
• Builder mindset: You deliver prototypes in days rather than weeks, think in outcomes, and get things up and running.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience from a scale-up, medium-sized company or small team – you are used to working broadly and taking ownership.
• Azure basics (Storage, Identity, DevOps) are helpful.

Benefits

This is what you can expect

• Impact & Ownership: You make the technical decisions for the platform, implement them in a team with a junior engineer, and have direct access to founders and management.
• A platform that 's already in place – and space to shape it : You don't start on a blank canvas, but on a productive Lakehouse. You help decide what happens next.
• Modern stack, modern way of working: Databricks, Python, AI-supported development – ​​no legacy, no “That’s how we’ve always done it”.
• Speed ​​& Responsibility: A clear focus on outcomes and quick decisions instead of hierarchy.
• Purpose: You will experience the development of a pioneering market – and help drive it forward.
• Team spirit : An ambitious team with a pragmatic and positive hands-on culture.
• Canteen subsidy : Modern office complex in Cologne including a canteen that is subsidized by us (hot meals, salad bar, bowls of the day, etc.)
• Hrmony : A benefit portal where you can choose individual vouchers each month (e.g., Urban Sports, DB, Ikea or REWE)