AI Engineer Jobs in Austria

Why Austria (and Vienna) is a strong market for AI engineers

Austria offers a unique mix of academic excellence and industry adoption that makes it appealing for AI engineers. Vienna hosts a dense ecosystem of universities, research labs and startups, plus an increasing number of international R&D centers. Outside Vienna, hubs such as Graz and Linz also feature strong engineering and industrial AI activity, especially in manufacturing, automotive and industrial automation. Public and EU funding supports AI research and commercialization, while collaborations between universities and companies create opportunities for applied research, internships and long-term roles. For candidates, this means a variety of positions—from applied ML roles in startups to research-focused positions at institutes and enterprise AI teams.

Skills, qualifications and typical AI engineer roles employers seek

Typical AI engineer jobs in Austria require a blend of software engineering and machine learning knowledge. Employers look for practical experience in Python, ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn), data engineering tools (SQL, pandas), and deployment technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD). Roles vary: ML engineer and data scientist positions focus on model development and analysis; MLOps and ML platform engineers concentrate on productionization, monitoring and scalability; and research engineer roles emphasize algorithm development and publications. Educational background ranges from a BSc/MSc in computer science, data science or related fields to PhDs for research-heavy roles. Language expectations: English is commonly used in tech teams, especially in Vienna and international companies, while German skills are advantageous for local companies and client-facing roles. Salary ranges (approximate): junior €40k–€55k, mid-level €55k–€80k, senior/lead €80k–€120k+ (higher in specialized or managerial roles and in Vienna).

How to find AI engineer jobs in Austria and improve your chances

Start with targeted job platforms (LinkedIn, Glassdoor, karriere.at, StepStone) and company career pages—many Austrian firms post openings directly. Network via local meetups, conferences, and university career events; Vienna has active AI and data science meetups and hackathons. Build a strong portfolio: public GitHub projects, Kaggle competitions, end-to-end ML demos and case studies that show production-ready thinking. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight measurable impact (reduced latency, improved accuracy, cost savings) and prepare for technical interviews covering coding, system design, data modelling and ML theory. If you’re a non-EU applicant, research visa options: Austria offers programs like the Red-White-Red Card and the EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers—employers and immigration consultants can help with specifics. Finally, consider contract or consultancy work and internships as foot-in-the-door options; they often lead to permanent roles.