ML/AI Platform Engineer (d/w/m)

The ZEIT publishing group.

The ZEIT publishing group offers high-quality content: print, online, and audio, in the form of numerous educational programs and conferences, or as a service provider for content marketing or strategic consulting in the area of ​​employer branding. In our mission statement, we define our values, the foundation of our success: independence, respect, and confidence. Thanks to our innovative strength, the ZEIT publishing group is growing steadily; circulation, reach, and digital and ancillary businesses are developing positively. The ZEIT publishing group has approximately 1,400 employees at its locations in Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich.

At ZEIT, we are building a new team in the data department: the ML/AI Platform team. This team will centrally consolidate the expertise necessary for selecting and operating the services and solutions that enable us to use AI in a variety of ways at ZEIT – whether for internal applications or in our products.

As part of the team, you are responsible for selecting and operating AI and machine learning solutions as a basis for applications and functions that are developed and used by data scientists and product development teams in various departments or by service providers.

Our tech stack is based on Google Cloud Platform and Kubernetes. You will select ML(Ops) tools (such as MLflow, Vertex AI, and Vector Databases for RAG applications).

You will work closely with colleagues from DevOps, Data Platform, Data Science, (product) development, editorial, and publishing departments. Through direct communication with our stakeholders, you will ensure that our platform delivers maximum added value.

Your role has three components:

• Select, build, and operate an ML/AI platform: You will develop and operate an MLOps platform and define standards for the development, deployment, and operation of AI models. Your focus will be on a secure and scalable architecture, the stability of which you will ensure through monitoring and observability, among other methods.

• Enabling integration: You create or evaluate tools and services that enable data scientists and product developers to seamlessly integrate our machine learning (ML) and generative AI use cases. You are the technical enabler who makes complex ML and load balance (LL) models built by the data science and product teams production-ready. This includes integrating ML models into production applications and existing IT landscapes, as well as implementing model observability and monitoring (e.g., detecting model drift, automatic retraining).

• Data connectivity and collaboration: You will provide ML/AI-specific databases and, in close coordination with related departments, develop connections to existing data sources. You will advise and work closely with Data Science, DevOps, Software Engineering, Product Development, and other business units.

You don't need to be a proven expert in all these areas. If you have experience in some areas and enjoy taking a holistic view of the MLOps life cycle, everything else can be learned.

• Technical background: Studies in (business) informatics, engineering, mathematics, data science or a comparable field – or equivalent technical training.

• Practical experience in software development with Python in positions such as ML Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Data Scientist or Software Engineer with ML component (i.e., specifically using libraries such as Huggingface, scikit-learn or PyTorch/TensorFlow).

• Cloud-native: You have sound practical experience with cloud infrastructures (preferably GCP) as well as in-depth knowledge of key topics such as Cloud IAM, Workload Identity, Cloud Networking, Cloud Storage and Vertex AI.

• Platform mindset: You think in terms of self-service solutions and abstract away technical complexity, allowing data scientists to fully concentrate on developing and optimizing their models.

• IaC & GitOps: You have internalized the Infrastructure-as-Code principle (Terraform, alternatively OpenTofu or Pulumi) as well as the GitOps principle (e.g. with Flux or Argo CD) and consistently apply both in practice.

• Kubernetes & Containers: You have in-depth knowledge of container development and deployment (including Helm chart development) as well as efficient management of CPU and GPU workloads, scaling and resource management.

• Data orchestration: You have experience in building ETL and data pipelines as well as workflow orchestration (e.g., Airflow, Argo Workflows or Kubeflow).

Nice to have:

• MLOps Tools & Good Practices: Practical experience with model training, deployment, and ideally with LLMs (MLflow, DVC, weights & biases, vector databases, etc.).

• Practical experience working with Large Language Models (LLMs), including OpenSource models, and architectures such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).

Your personal profile:

• You approach questions in a structured manner: Your strengths lie in a strong understanding of data and processes as well as an analytical approach.

• You enjoy supporting and driving projects forward and being responsible for some of our stakeholders, as we will distribute these responsibilities internally within the team.

• You are curious, proactive, and solution-oriented. You have a strong interest in understanding the specialist areas in order to actively shape the data and KAI landscape of Zeitverlag for the coming years through sustainable decisions.

The ML/AI Platform team is part of ZEIT Data and comprises approximately 20 data practitioners (technical web analysts, data engineers, analytics engineers, data analysts, and data scientists). Therefore, there is also a community of data scientists in other departments within the company. Within the team, we speak and write German, but we write the code in English.

• Work location and hours tailored to individual needs: Our work environment is characterized by flexibility and individuality. We offer flexible working hours such as flextime and mobile working, as well as a variety of part-time models to optimally balance work and private life. In addition, our workplaces are centrally located with excellent public transport connections – and of course, we also offer a subsidy for the Deutschlandticket (Germany-wide public transport pass).
• Learning culture: Continuing education is important to us. That's why we offer all employees a wide range of opportunities for individual development through our ZEIT ACADEMY, the products of ZEIT LANGUAGES, and the Holtzbrinck E-Learning Campus. Once a year, we use the internal ZEIT University Day as well as regular University Snacks to exchange ideas on various topics and learn from each other.
• Benefits: We love our products, which is why you have free access to our full range of publications, events, and media offerings. In addition, we offer various newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as our ZEIT Shop products, at employee rates. Through the Corporate Benefits and benefit.me platforms, you can also take advantage of numerous discounts for museums, theaters, festivals, various products, and conferences.
• Communication and exchange are very important to us. Through various internal formats and projects, such as our mentoring and sponsorship program, a monthly All Hands meeting and accompanying newsletters, or the Mystery Lunch, we promote networking and exchange.
• Well-being: The Employee Assistance Program offers you fast and effective help with both professional and personal issues – even in crisis situations. You can also benefit from attractive discounts at Urban Sports to help you stay active and improve your health.

You can find initial insights on kununu, LinkedIn, XING or on our ZEIT career page.

As long as this position is visible on our careers page, you are welcome to apply – there is no application deadline. Further answers to questions about our application process can be found in our FAQs .

The ZEIT publishing group is an employer that stands for equal opportunities and respectful interaction. We are committed to fair employment opportunities regardless of ethnic or social origin, gender, religion, worldview, age, sexual identity, or disability. We expressly encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply and particularly welcome applications from individuals who wish to contribute to the diversity of our company. Our work environment is characterized by appreciation and recognition – we strive for this every day.