Machine Learning Engineer (Computer Vision & VLM)

Orcrist is building a next generation data intelligence platform using cutting-edge technologies. We're handling petabyte-scale data with sub-second queries. Our product is a Kubernetes‑based platform delivered as B2B SaaS or as a self‑hosted on‑prem solution, including air‑gapped deployments. We enable customers across defense, law enforcement, and enterprise to turn mission-critical data into actionable intelligence. Role We are looking for a hands-on Machine Learning Engineer to develop and productionize modern computer vision and visual language capabilities across major intelligence and public safety projects. You will work directly with state-of-the-art and open-source computer vision models, visual language models (VLMs), and related AI technologies — training, evaluating, fine-tuning, and optimizing them for real-world use cases. You will work on challenging problems including object recognition and identification, image and document understanding, geospatial data, satellite imagery, and large-scale visual data. The role combines model development with practical engineering: building data pipelines and scrapers, running experiments, and taking promising approaches into reliable systems. This is a highly hands-on role for someone with exceptional learning ability, strong analytical and engineering skills, and a genuine interest in applying AI to complex problems in the intelligence and public safety domain. You will work closely with other engineers, technical leadership, and cross-functional teams to turn ideas and experiments into impactful capabilities. What you’ll do • Develop, train, evaluate, and fine-tune computer vision and visual language models. • Work on object recognition, detection, classification, and identification. • Build data pipelines, scrapers, and workflows for large-scale visual and geospatial datasets. • Experiment with state-of-the-art and open-source models and turn promising approaches into reliable systems. • Work with satellite imagery, geospatial data, sensors, and other visual intelligence sources. • Take ownership of experimental projects and rapidly explore new ideas and technologies. • Collaborate closely with other engineers and technical leadership on key initiatives. • Travel every 2–4 weeks for architecture reviews and team events. About you • Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field; with excellent grade record from a leading university (Master's preferred). • Strong academic record and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. • Strong programming skills and experience developing or fine-tuning AI/ML models. • Experience with computer vision, VLMs, image understanding, or related ML applications. • Strong interest in data, analytics, and data pipelines. • Exceptional ability and motivation to learn new technologies and domains quickly. • Self-directed, hands-on, and comfortable working without close day-to-day management. • Strong team player with clear and honest communication. • Excellent German language skills. • Eligible to work full-time in Germany and willing to undergo the required security clearance and background checks. Nice-to-haves • Experience with georeferencing, satellite imagery, remote sensing, OpenStreetMap, or photogrammetry. • Experience with large-scale data pipelines, cloud infrastructure, or ML deployment. • Experience with sensors such as drones, antennas, or cameras. • Background in computer vision research, e.g. Fraunhofer IGD or similar. • Knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian language. • Interest or experience in military, intelligence, defense, or public safety domains. What we offer • Remote-first, Germany-wide: Work from wherever you do your best work, with regular team g