Principal Infrastructure & Release Lead (m/w/d)

Your mission

As Principal SAP Infrastructure & Release Lead, you are responsible for the group-wide infrastructure, deployment and release governance of the Implico Group.

You ensure that our product architectures are not only conceptually sound, but can also be delivered in a scalable, stable, and cost-efficient manner. You build the structural foundations for professional CI/CD processes, modern cloud infrastructures, and a controlled release organization.

Your Responsibilities

SAP Release Management

• End-to-end release cycle governance using SAP ChaRM or SAP Cloud ALM across Private Cloud, Public Cloud, and SAP BTP landscapes
• Transport governance and landscape management across development, quality, and production environments
• Definition and ownership of quality gates, release readiness criteria, and environment strategies
• Cutover planning, go-live coordination, and post-release stabilization in close collaboration with Engineering and Architecture teams
• Group-wide standardization of release processes and governance frameworks aligned to the SAP release framework and Clean Core principles

CI/CD & Deployment Governance in a Hybrid Model

• Definition and introduction of group-wide CI/CD standards
• Design and further development of deployment architectures (SAP Private Cloud, Public Cloud, SAP BTP) and Clean-Core compliance

Cloud Infrastructure & Scalability

• Building scalable cloud infrastructures across all product lines
• Definition of monitoring, observability, and security standards in the delivery process
• Ensuring technical delivery capability in close coordination with Technical Architects

Cost & Platform Responsibility

• Active cloud cost management and transparency over infrastructure costs
• Establishing cost-conscious architecture and deployment principles
• Member of the Architecture Board with responsibility for the overall cost and delivery perspective

Building the Platform Engineering Team

• Contribute to the conception and progressive establishment of a scalable Platform Engineering structure
• Support the technical development and growth of DevOps capabilities within the Engineering organization

Organizational Classification

• Group-wide responsibility across all product lines
• Principal-Level role
• Member of the Architecture Board
• Close collaboration with CTO, Enterprise Architects, Technical Architects and Director AI Engineering

Your profile

Required

• Proven hands-on experience in SAP Release Management — including end-to-end release cycle ownership, ChaRM or SAP Cloud ALM governance, transport management, and environment strategy
• Experience building and operating modern cloud infrastructures within a SAP hybrid landscape (Private Cloud, Public Cloud, SAP BTP)
• Solid understanding of CI/CD principles and deployment governance within a SAP environment
• Strong understanding of cloud cost models and infrastructure optimization
• Experience in standardizing and governing technical release processes at scale
• High technical credibility and a structured, assertive working style

Preferred

• Experience with containerization and scalable deployment architectures (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes)
• Background in building or growing a DevOps or Platform Engineering team
• Familiarity with SAP Cloud ALM or successor tooling for release and operations management
• Experience with CI/CD toolchains such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or ArgoCD

Why This Role Matters

You create the foundation for scalable product development without linear cost growth. Through stable releases, professional deployment structures, and active cost management, you sustainably improve the predictability, efficiency, and margin quality of the Implico Group.