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Job DescriptionOriginal Posting Date: 10/19/26
Job Title: Data Scientist (multiple positions available)
Location: 3410 Hillview Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304
Work Model: Hybrid work model
Purpose and Objective:
SAP Labs, LLC seeks a Data Scientist (multiple positions available) at our Palo Alto, CA location responsible for the development of new Machine Learning models and optimization of existing ML models.
Expectations and Tasks:
Support machine learning research/project and development teams with all aspects around AI algorithms. Design and implement novel machine learning algorithms to process real data. Apply recent research breakthroughs to real problems to create business value. Ensure explainability and ethical integrity of AI algorithms. Positions ideas of how to push the frontiers of what is possible in the area of machine learning working with real data. Explores, understands, and implements the most recent machine learning algorithms and approaches. Ensures performance and system scalability through continuous collaboration with development teams. Understands business problems from beginning to end; knows research insights. Supports collecting requirements and coordinating the machine learning development. Communicates the relevance of implemented systems and achieved results in a visual and consistent way. Shows initiative and explores new use cases and applications of machine learning.
QualificationsEducation and Occupational Experience:
Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field of study and five (5) years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the job offered or related occupation. Alternatively, a Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field of study and three (3) years of experience in the job offered or related occupation.
Qualifications/Skills and Competencies Experience:
Experience must include two (2) years involving each of the following:
- Heterogeneous knowledge graphs for machine learning use cases;
- Developing graph-based ML models such as GraphSAGE, GAT, or Graph Transformers;
- Cloud-based ML development platforms like Azure ML and Databricks;
- Experience fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) as part of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines; and
- AI/ML research, including experience publishing papers.
Experience must include one (1) year involving each of the following:
- Legacy supervised learning models, including development and deployment using methods like XGBoost; and
- Exposure to multi-agent orchestration frameworks and workflows.
Travel: N/A.
This position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program subject to the eligibility criteria outlined in the SAP Internal Employee Referral Policy.
Compensation Range Transparency: The annual base salary range for this position is $174,783 - $206,460. SAP believes the value of pay transparency contributes towards an honest and supportive culture and is a significant step toward demonstrating SAP’s commitment to pay equity. SAP provides the annualized compensation range inclusive of base salary and variable incentive target for the career level applicable to the posted role. The targeted combined range for this position is $174,783 - $229,400. The actual amount to be offered to the successful candidate will be within that range, dependent upon the key aspects of each case which may include education, skills, experience, scope of the role, location, etc. as determined through the selection process. Any SAP variable incentive includes a targeted dollar amount and any actual payout amount is dependent on company and personal performance. Please reference this link for a summary of SAP benefits and eligibility requirements: SAP North America Benefits.
Additional InformationAll your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
About SAP
With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improves people’s lives.
As a leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience.
We win with inclusion
SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world.
SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team: [email protected].
For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability.
Compensation Range Transparency
SAP believes pay transparency is essential to fostering an honest, supportive, and inclusive culture and is an important part of our commitment to pay equity. The salary range for this position is included in the job posting. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate will fall within that range and will depend on factors such as education, skills, experience, location, and scope of the role, as determined through the selection process. Where applicable, SAP may also provide variable incentive opportunities and additional benefits, subject to the terms of the relevant plans and policies. Any variable incentive amount is target-based, with actual payouts dependent on company and individual performance. Please reference this link for a summary of SAP benefits and eligibility requirements: SAP North America Benefits.
AI Usage in the Recruitment Process
For information on the responsible use of AI in our recruitment process, please refer to our Guidelines for Ethical Usage of AI in the Recruiting Process.
Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, plus five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the offered job or related occupation; alternatively, a master's degree or foreign equivalent plus three years of relevant experience.
- Two years of experience with heterogeneous knowledge graphs for machine learning use cases.
- Two years of experience developing graph-based machine learning models, such as GraphSAGE, GAT, or Graph Transformers.
- Two years of experience with cloud-based machine learning development platforms, such as Azure ML and Databricks.
- Two years of experience fine-tuning large language models as part of Retrieval-Augmented Generation pipelines.
- Two years of AI/ML research experience, including publishing papers.
- One year of experience developing and deploying legacy supervised learning models, including methods such as XGBoost.
- One year of exposure to multi-agent orchestration frameworks and workflows.
SAP Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SAP and has not been reviewed or approved by SAP.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive and fair overall, with satisfaction higher in certain roles and geographies, especially sales with strong on‑target earnings. Feedback suggests compensation is above average for a large enterprise software employer even if not at the very top of the tech market.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous paid time off, holidays, volunteer time, and a formal sabbatical option are part of the total rewards. These offerings contribute meaningfully to overall value even when base salary alone may feel mid‑pack.
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Healthcare Strength — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus HSAs/FSAs and mental‑health support, form a robust core of the package. Paired with other coverages, this breadth reinforces strong total compensation value.
SAP Insights
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Why Work With Us
At SAP, we help the world run better and improve people's lives A market leader in enterprise software, SAP turns businesses into intelligent, sustainable enterprises. Our applications and services enable business and public customers across 25 industries to operate profitably and adapt continuously.
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