AI Engineer (m | f | d)

Entry-level position with development path · Full-time · Hagen, hybrid working

Full-timePermanentHybrid workingHagenAs soon as possible

AI Engineer (m|f|d) for the BenderWire Group in Hagen. Newly created entry-level position with development path, full-time, permanent, hybrid working.

What this role is about

—You will be the first person mainly responsible for AI and data applications at our company.
—You won't sit in a lab, but between sales, production, quality and IT, translating between these worlds.
—We are deliberately looking for someone early in their career: you'll build technical depth with us, together with our IT team, external partners and a clearly planned training budget.

What success looks like after twelve months

—Two to three AI applications are running in real operation and measurably save time or reduce errors — not as a pilot, but in day-to-day business.
—There is a documented, prioritised overview of the group's AI potential that management bases its investment decisions on.
—Colleagues know what they can use AI for in daily work and what they can't — because you showed them.

Your tasks

—Find and prioritise use cases: you talk to the departments, go onto the shop floor, understand the processes and assess where AI brings real value and where simple automation is the better answer.
—Build prototypes: using Python and LLM interfaces you develop solutions, for example for researching technical documentation, standards and test reports, for preparing quotations or for evaluating quality data.
—Make data available: you connect data from ERP, production and quality assurance, build simple pipelines and take care of what ultimately decides success: data quality.
—From prototype to operation: you accompany your solutions all the way into productive use, including monitoring, documentation and handover to IT.
—Enable colleagues: you run internal training, write understandable guides and are the first point of contact for questions about AI tools.
—Help shape the framework: together with IT and management you make sure data protection, information security and the requirements of the EU AI Act are considered from the start.

What you should bring

—A completed degree or apprenticeship with an IT or data focus, for example computer science, business informatics, data science, mathematics or engineering. Or another path you can demonstrate through your own projects: career changers are welcome too.
—Solid knowledge of Python and basics in SQL.
—First practical experience with AI or LLM applications, from studies, internships, working student roles, personal projects or open-source work. We don't expect years of professional experience, but examples we can talk about.
—Willingness to ask questions, go onto the shop floor and explain complex things simply.
—Fluent German, good English. Our colleagues in the US are part of everyday business.

Nice to have, but not required

—Experience with ERP systems, machine or time-series data, or with manufacturing processes.
—Cloud basics (Azure or AWS), Git, Docker, working with APIs.
—Data visualisation, e.g. with Power BI.
—Interest in metalworking or simply curiosity about a product you can hold in your hand.

What we offer

—A newly created role with real creative freedom and direct access to management.
—Full-time, mobile working, flexible hours.
—Permanent contract and 30 days of holiday.
—A dedicated training budget for courses, certificates and conferences.
—A structured induction with a mentor, including time in production and quality assurance, so you know what you're talking about.
—An above-average company pension scheme, the option of a job e-bike, free parking and free drinks and fruit.
—A medium-sized company where your work becomes visible: your application doesn't run in a presentation, but on the shop floor.

Straight talk: what this role is not

—You won't join an existing data team. You are the beginning of one, with all the freedom — and solo work — that implies.
—Some of our data is not yet where you'd want it to be. Tidying that up is part of the job and not always glamorous.
—Not every idea gets built. We prioritise by benefit, not by novelty.
—If that excites you more than it puts you off, you'll fit in well here.

How to apply

—Two conversations, no more: a video call with the department and HR, then a meeting with management in Hagen including a tour of production.
—No cover letter needed. Send us your CV and two sentences on why this role in particular — ideally with a link to a project you are proud of.
—We welcome applications regardless of gender and gender identity, age, origin, religion or belief, disability and sexual identity.

How to apply

Applications accepted on a rolling basis, no fixed deadline — send your application to karriere@benderwire.group.

Location: Hagen · Start: As soon as possible · Duration: Permanent, full-time

Apply now