SAP Signavio Thesis Student (f/m/d) - Enabling Autonomous Process Execution with AI Agents and BPMN

We help the world run better

At SAP, we enable you to bring out your best. Our company culture is focused on collaboration and a shared passion to help the world run better. How? We focus every day on building the foundation for tomorrow and creating a workplace that embraces differences, values flexibility, and is aligned to our purpose-driven and future-focused work. We offer a highly collaborative, caring team environment with a strong focus on learning and development, recognition for your individual contributions, and a variety of benefit options for you to choose from.

What you´ll build

The dream of directly executable Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) models has long been challenged by the reality of complex, non-process-aware IT systems and ever-changing business requirements.

The rise of powerful Intelligent Agents and Large Language Models (LLMs) offers a new paradigm. Instead of rigid technical execution, an agent can understand a BPMN model—interpreting its tasks and descriptions—to autonomously navigate systems and complete processes. However, it remains unclear what information an agent needs beyond the visual model to succeed. This thesis will bridge that gap.

Your Goal & Tasks:

The central goal of this thesis is to identify and define the contextual requirements an AI agent needs to autonomously execute business processes described in BPMN.

You will be responsible for:

• Conceptualization: Developing a framework that defines the necessary inputs for an autonomous agent. This includes the core BPMN model plus supplementary information like API documentation, business rules, access permissions, and organizational policies.
• Implementation: Designing and building a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) where an AI agent, using your framework, executes a sample business process.
• Evaluation: Analyzing the performance of your PoC to validate and refine the list of requirements for successful autonomous execution.
  

What you bring

• Enrolled in a Master's program in Computer Science, Business Informatics, Information Systems, AI, or a related field.
• Solid understanding of Business Process Management (BPM) theory and the BPMN 2.0 standard.
• Proficiency in Python programming.
  

Ideal Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI agent frameworks (e.g., LangChain, AutoGen).
• Experience working with REST APIs.
  

What We Offer:

• A cutting-edge research topic at the intersection of AI, Process Management, and Software Engineering.
• The opportunity to work within a collaborative and supportive research team.
• Access to the necessary tools, data, and resources for your project.
• Close supervision and expert guidance throughout your thesis.

Where you belong

Join the Signavio Blue Sky Research Team, a vibrant community of working students, thesis candidates, and visiting scholars. At Blue Sky, our mission is to turn bold ideas into manageable realities by de-risking innovation. Be part of our journey—help us shape the future of innovation!

Your set of application documents should contain a cover letter, a resume in table form, school leaving certificates, certificate of enrollment, current university transcript of records, copies of any academic degrees already earned, and if available, references from former employers (including internships). Please also describe your experience and skills in foreign languages and computer programs / programming languages.

This is a SAP global, strategic, paid working student position that provides students with opportunities to find purpose in their careers.

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​ Bring out your best

SAP innovations help more than four hundred thousand customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end-to-end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with two hundred million users and more than one hundred thousand employees worldwide, we are purpose-driven and future-focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, you can bring out your best.

We win with inclusion

SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better and more equitable world.
SAP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provide accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team: [email protected].

For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.

Requisition ID: 419324 | Work Area: Software-Design and Development | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Student | Employment Type: Limited Full Time | Additional Locations: #LI-Hybrid