Machine Learning Developer Hiring Trends in Cologne, Germany

This report was last updated on Jun 7, 2025

Bence Gedai

Founder

I analyze live hiring data and tech job trends across Europe to give CTOs and Product Leaders a strategic edge. By tracking tens of thousands of open roles each week, I uncover which skills, roles, and locations are in highest demand — potential competitors, typical time to hire, talent pool sizes, and more to help you prioritize hiring, benchmark and stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

Key learnings from this report

The Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineer job market in Germany, particularly in Cologne, currently exhibits a challenging landscape for hiring managers, with 5 new positions opened versus 16 roles closed in the last 12 weeks.
A total of 308 instances of hiring for these positions reflect a median time to hire of 33 days, indicating a pressing need for efficient recruitment strategies.
Cologne stands out as a key city in the job market, but with a highly competitive environment, as highlighted by the narrowing talent pool against job openings.
The demand for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineers is predominantly driven by full-time opportunities, which make up 96% of available roles in the region, underscoring a preference for stable positions.
Key companies actively hiring for these roles in Germany include adesso SE, Delivery Hero, and TieTalent, further emphasizing the necessity for targeted recruitment initiatives amid a fluctuating job market.

Number of roles opened and closed for Machine Learning Engineers in Cologne in the last 3 months

Over the past 12 weeks, the Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineer job market in Germany Cologne has exhibited fluctuating trends. In total, five new positions were opened, but an alarming 16 roles were closed during the same period. This sharp contrast highlights a significant challenge in retaining talent within the sector, signaling potential hiring difficulties for CTOs and engineering managers. Compared to other roles in the region, the high closure rate for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineer positions indicates an urgent need for revised recruitment strategies in Germany Cologne's tech sector.

Who else is hiring for ai Engineers in Germany:

Company name	Country	Industry	Founded	# Job openings
TieTalent	Switzerland	Information Technology & Services	2017	11
Deloitte	United States	Management Consulting	1845	9
adesso SE	Germany	Information Technology & Services	1997	8
Delivery Hero	Germany	Information Technology & Services	2011	8
Diehl Defence	Germany	Defense & Space	1902	6
CGI	Canada	Information Technology & Services	1976	6
Constructor Knowledge	Switzerland	Higher Education	null	6
Trimble Inc.	United States	Information Technology & Services	1978	5
Miltenyi Biotec	Germany	Research	1989	5
Canonical	United Kingdom	Information Technology & Services	2004	4

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Talent pool vs job openings for Artificial Intelligence Engineers in Germany

How competitive it is to hire Artificial Intelligence Engineers in Germany

The job market for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineers in Europe reveals a competitive landscape, particularly when analyzing the data from Germany, France, and the Netherlands. In Germany, specifically in Cologne, there are significant job openings which indicate a robust demand; however, the available talent pool is increasingly strained as the ratio of talent pool size to job openings narrows. Comparatively, France and the Netherlands show a more favorable talent pool ratio, suggesting a less competitive hiring environment. Consequently, recruiting in Germany, given its current trends, may prove challenging for CTOs and Engineering Managers, emphasizing the need for targeted recruitment strategies to secure qualified candidates.

Seniority distribution of Machine Learning Engineer job openings in Cologne

Seniority Distribution of Machine Learning Engineering Jobs in Cologne

In the Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning job market in Germany Cologne, the distribution of seniority levels reveals notable trends that hiring managers should consider. Entry-level positions comprise 39% of the total jobs, followed by Mid-Senior level roles at 29%, and Internship opportunities representing 24%. This distribution indicates a healthy entry pathway for budding talents while showcasing the ongoing need for experienced professionals in this dynamic sector.

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in Germany

In the German job market for engineers, particularly in the realm of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, full-time positions dominate the employment landscape, comprising 96% of available roles. Part-time opportunities are significantly fewer, accounting for 4%, while internships represent a marginal share at just 2%. This distribution highlights the strong preference for stable, full-time employment within the tech sector in Germany, particularly in cities like Cologne.

Time to Hire Distribution for Artificial Intelligence in Germany

How long does it take to hire Artificial Intelligence Engineers

The time to hire for Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineer positions in Germany showcases a notable distribution, with a peak hiring time of 30 days, reflecting 308 counted instances. Following closely are 35-day and 40-day intervals, with 299 and 99 counts, respectively. Recruitment managers seeking to fill these roles should anticipate varying timelines, particularly as 220 roles were filled within 20 days. The trend indicates a rising urgency in hiring, emphasizing the increasing demand for qualified professionals in the Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning job market in Germany, especially in urban centers like Cologne.

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Most popular cities in Germany to hire Artificial Intelligence Engineers

Top 5 cities in Germany to hire Artificial Intelligence Engineers

In the competitive landscape of the Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning job market in Germany, Cologne stands out as a burgeoning hub. Among the top five cities, Berlin leads with 985 job openings, accounting for 37% of the total, followed by Munich with 599 openings at 23%. Hamburg and Frankfurt contribute 9% and 8% respectively, with 233 and 219 available positions. This data, illustrated in the accompanying chart, highlights the significant concentration of opportunities in Berlin, the capital, making it a focal point for hiring managers seeking top talent in Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Engineering.

Most sought after technologies in Cologne for Machine Learning

Key technologies for Machine Learning Engineers

In the evolving landscape of the Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning job market in Germany, particularly in Cologne, several technologies emerge as crucial. Python leads the pack with a frequency of 12,956 usages, showcasing its dominance in Machine Learning applications. Following closely are SQL and Machine Learning, with frequencies of 5,487 and 7,420 respectively, indicating their essential roles in data management and analytical processes. Technologies like AWS and Data Engineering also reflect significant use, reinforcing the importance of cloud solutions in AI initiatives. A chart accompanying this paragraph details these statistics, providing a clear visual representation of technology adoption trends.

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