Junior Software Engineer (w/d/m)

About the company

WE BUILD AI is a boutique AI consultancy based in Cologne that develops data and AI solutions for mid-sized companies and large enterprises in Germany. The focus is on systems that are deployed into production and create real business value by generating revenue or reducing costs. The company emphasizes delivery of working, high-quality solutions rather than throwaway proof-of-concepts.

The business started last year and grew by 160% in its first year. This year, it is already at 100% growth. The goal is to build a company that continues expanding over the coming years, with growth seen as the result of strong execution rather than the primary objective. The team is founder-led, communication paths are short, and there is no corporate bureaucracy.

Role overview

The company is looking for a Junior Software Engineer who is ready to take on technical responsibility. In this role, you will own architecture, implementation, and production operations for the solutions you build.

What you will do

• Create reliable software solutions and automation workflows.
• Build backend services and APIs, preferably using frameworks such as FastAPI, Django, or Flask in Python, but other object-oriented programming languages are also considered.
• Write clean, maintainable code and consistently work to high quality standards.
• Integrate AI models and third-party APIs into existing systems to expand functionality.
• Work with cloud architectures on Azure, AWS, or GCP.
• Take part in code reviews and actively share knowledge to raise the team’s code quality.
• Collaborate closely with AI experts, internal teams, and clients to translate technical needs into working software products.

What you need

• Initial hands-on experience in software development, for example through internships, working student roles, or personal projects.
• Excellent written and spoken German skills.
• Strong knowledge of Python or another object-oriented programming language.
• Experience with cloud services, ideally Azure, and with databases such as SQL or NoSQL systems.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code, especially Terraform or Pulumi, is a strong plus.
• Interest in AI technologies and how they can be applied in practice, combined with a preference for technically sound, production-ready solutions.
• Motivation to build strong solutions for customers and persistence in tackling each task thoroughly.

Benefits

• A monthly benefits budget of 30 EUR that can be used for vouchers with more than 100 providers, Urban Sports Club, or as a mobility subsidy for the Deutschlandticket.
• Bike leasing through salary conversion, with savings of up to 40%, including comprehensive insurance and maintenance.
• Flexible working hours and self-managed home office arrangements.
• Flat hierarchies and short decision-making paths.
• Mentoring and honest feedback to support your growth.
• Regular team events, shared workations, and office dogs.
• Free drinks and snacks at the office on Hohenzollernring.

Application process

The hiring process consists of four transparent steps with no surprises.

• An introductory call with Frederic of about 30 minutes to talk about you, the company, and whether the basics fit.
• A take-home technical task followed by a call presentation lasting 45 to 60 minutes, based on work similar to what you would do in the role.
• An in-person meeting in Cologne, including a shared meal, project insights, and a sparring session with the team.