Software Engineering Leader(SAP)

We are looking for a Software Engineering Leader who organizes all necessary engineering tasks and helps maximize the flow of value. In this role, you will work shoulder to shoulder with other software engineers—such as backend developers, business analysts, and business stakeholders—to shape the future of KLM and the aviation industry. You will also lead a team of SAP developers and take on HR responsibilities, including coaching, talent development, and team performance.

What will you do?

As a Software Engineering Leader with deep expertise in SAP ABAP development, you will apply your skills to change the way KLM works, driving innovation and transforming us into a truly data-driven organization. We value both technical expertise (analysis, design & architecture, engineering, and quality assurance) as well as the interpersonal parts of the job (coaching, consulting, coordination, and support).

In addition to your technical contributions, you will be responsible for leading the SAP development team, overseeing day-to-day collaboration, and managing HR-related responsibilities such as performance reviews, personal development planning, and recruitment.

As a Software Engineering Leader, your key result areas are:

• Make use of the right technology and govern architecture for products in line with organizational objectives, balancing business goals, functional needs, and technical quality.
• Design and implement the overall architecture in coordination with other technical leads to ensure smooth delivery.
• Translate business needs into compelling products and deliver them to end users to create business value.
• Take ownership of the entire product lifecycle: specification, design, engineering, testing, delivery, maintenance, monitoring, and support.
• Foster a culture where state-of-the-art engineering practices, tools, and technologies are applied effectively.
• Lead and coach a team of SAP developers, guiding their technical and personal growth.
• Fulfill HR responsibilities, including recruitment, team performance management, and supporting the development of team members.

Where do you land?

The Business Platform Flight operates at the intersection of business operations and technology, supporting critical processes that take place before and during a flight. These include catering, crew availability and scheduling, pilot qualification and training, fuel planning, meal provisioning, and overall operational readiness.

Platform Flight is part of the Data & Technology organization within KLM IT. It comprises eight value streams and multiple teams working closely with key stakeholders across KLM, including pilots, cabin crew, mechanics, and flight planners.

In this role, you'll join a multidisciplinary team deeply embedded in the catering operation. Our team blends generalist breadth with specialist depth, creating a dynamic and fast-paced environment—there's truly never a dull moment.

Your profile

As a Software Engineering Leader with SAP expertise, you bring a proven track record with multiple years of experience working with SAP ECC and S/4 HANA. You are confident advising colleagues and business stakeholders on technical matters and are capable of independently defining and delivering high-impact solutions. You also have a strong affinity for team leadership and coaching, and you're comfortable collaborating with HR on people-related topics.

We are looking for:

• Experience working as a solution architect or having exposure to system design, including interfaces and migrations.
• Ability to run design workshops and translate business requirements into solid technical specifications and architecture.
• Experience integrating SAP and non-SAP systems (SOAP, REST, ALE/EDI, etc.).
• Experience with SAP Gateway and building custom ODATA services for CRUD operations.
• Development and maintenance of RICEFW objects.
• Strong focus on performance optimization and code refactoring.
• Solid understanding of SAP DDIC, CDS views, and the Virtual Data Model (VDM).
• Deep knowledge of ABAP and OOABAP.
• Familiarity with RICEFW objects and SAP enhancement options (BADI, Implicit Enhancement, Customer Exits, etc.).
• Hands-on experience in greenfield or brownfield S/4 HANA projects.
• Ability to write scalable, maintainable code in adherence to best practices.
• People and leadership skills:
• Proven experience coaching and mentoring developers, sharing best practices.
• Ability to take the lead in solving complex problems, always keeping the end user in mind.
• Comfortable managing HR tasks such as recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, and development planning.
• Strong communication skills (English), thought leadership, and a collaborative mindset.
• Familiarity with Agile frameworks like SAFe, Scrum, or general Agile principles.

Nice to have:

• Experience with SAP SD, MM, and PP modules.
• Participation in large-scale S/4 HANA transformations (brownfield or greenfield).

Explore the perks of working with us

If your position allows this: working from home and working from abroad for up to 8 weeks (EU and Caribbean)

2% development budget to be spent freely

Plenty of room for personal development and great career opportunities

Substantial discount on airline tickets (if you have been employed for at least 6 months)

What do we offer

• A challenging role at an unique employer in the Netherlands;
• A gross salary between €4.988,38 and € 8.024,92 per month;
• Plenty of room for personal development and wonderful career opportunities;
• A good pension scheme and 8% holiday pay;
• An end of the year bonus of 8,33%;
• 25 days of paid holiday and 5 extra days off;
• Great discounts on airline tickets (if you have been in service for at least 6 months);
• A sustainable transport policy, which allows you, among other things, to use all public transport for your commute within the Netherlands, free of charge;
• Discount of your health insurance;
• A personal budget for sustainable employability.