Senior Software Engineer / AI Enabler (m/f/d)

At AutoScout24, the pursuit of innovation and customer-centric solutions is at the forefront of their operations. As a leading digital marketplace, the company is dedicated to not only dominating its market but actively shaping its future. They foster an environment where driven, ambitious individuals can contribute to significant transformations, moving the world forward through technology. This is a place for those who want their careers to accelerate, where their ideas can take the lead in changing how people interact with the automotive landscape.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned Senior Software Engineer to join AutoScout24 and play a pivotal role in integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities into their technology ecosystem. The position is fully remote, offering flexibility and the chance to contribute to a global team. You will be instrumental in identifying and implementing AI-driven solutions that enhance both product offerings and internal processes. This role requires a blend of strong software engineering fundamentals and a forward-thinking approach to leveraging artificial intelligence.

As a Senior Software Engineer and AI Enabler, your responsibilities will span across several key areas, all aimed at advancing AutoScout24's technological prowess:

• **Product and Tech Initiatives:** You will actively participate in and lead product and technology development efforts. This involves a strategic approach to balancing development effort, ensuring high quality, and delivering maximum user value.
• **Technology Stack Optimisation:** A significant part of your role will be to enhance and refine the existing AutoScout24 technology stack. This includes applying future-proof concepts, adhering to robust architectural principles, and utilising modern frameworks to boost both individual and team efficiency.
• **Agile Development Support:** You will work within and contribute to the company's agile product development methodologies, ensuring a collaborative and iterative approach to software delivery.
• **AI Integration and Enablement:** A core focus will be on integrating Large Language Model (LLM) APIs into applications and internal tools. This includes working with platforms like OpenAI, Anthropic, Azure OpenAI, or Vertex AI.
• **AI Tool Proficiency:** You will demonstrate and apply your expertise in using Generative AI coding tools, such as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Cursor, or OpenAI Codex, to significantly improve your own development speed and the quality of your output. This encompasses code generation, refactoring, debugging, test creation, and documentation.
• **Pragmatic AI Application:** You will bring a practical understanding of Generative AI, recognising its limitations and potential risks. A critical aspect of your role will be implementing necessary guardrails, including reviews, rigorous testing, and clear policies, to ensure safe, compliant, and scalable AI usage.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this role, AutoScout24 is seeking candidates with a strong foundation in software engineering and a demonstrated passion for artificial intelligence:

• **Extensive Software Engineering Experience:** A minimum of five years of hands-on software engineering experience is required.
• **Core Technical Expertise:** Deep expertise in Java and the Spring Boot framework is essential. You should also possess a broad knowledge of various languages and technologies, comfortable with both Object-Oriented and Functional programming paradigms. The ability to quickly learn and adapt to new concepts and tools is highly valued. While experience with Scala is a plus, it is not mandatory.
• **Database and Cloud Proficiency:** Hands-on experience with databases such as PostgreSQL and DynamoDB, as well as messaging systems like Kafka and cloud platforms like AWS, would be a significant advantage.
• **AI Development Skills:** Proven personal excellence in leveraging GenAI coding tools to enhance development speed and quality is a must. This includes practical application in code generation, refactoring, debugging, and test automation.
• **LLM Integration Experience:** You should have experience integrating LLM APIs into software applications or internal tooling.
• **AI Risk Management:** A pragmatic understanding of AI's limitations and risks is crucial, coupled with the ability to implement effective guardrails for safe, compliant, and sustainable AI adoption at scale.
• **Collaborative Spirit:** While capable of independent, decisive work, you must be a strong team player, contributing positively to a collaborative development environment.

This role offers the chance to be at the forefront of AI adoption within a dynamic, international company. In South Africa, senior software engineering roles with AI specialisation are increasingly in demand, often commanding competitive salaries. Companies in the tech, finance, and e-commerce sectors are actively seeking such talent, and career progression can lead to architecture or leadership positions.

• Deep expertise in Java and Spring Boot, with a breadth of knowledge across a range of languages and technologies in both Object-Oriented and Functional paradigms; able to quickly grasp new concepts and tools. Experience with Scala is a plus
• 5+ years of Software Engineering experience, hands-on experience with PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, Kafka, and AWS is a strong plus
• Team player but also decisive mentality
• Demonstrated personal excellence in using GenAI coding tools (for example GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Cursor, OpenAI Codex) to significantly improve your own development speed and quality: code generation, refactoring, debugging, tests and documentation
• Experience integrating LLM APIs (such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Azure OpenAI, Vertex AI or similar) into applications or internal tools
• A pragmatic view of GenAI: you understand its limitations and risks and know how to put guardrails in place (reviews, tests, policies) to keep usage safe, compliant and sustainable at scale