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 gatherings in Berlin and other off-site locations.
• Flexibility by default: Flexible working hours help you make work fit your life.
• Your setup, your way: Get a personal home-office equipment budget to create a workspace that works for you.
• 30 days of vacation:  Take the time you need to recharge and come back with fresh energy.
• Keep growing: We invest in your personal and professional development.
• Get rewarded for impact: Performance bonuses are tied to agreed objectives and key results.
• A warm welcome: Every new team member gets a welcome goodie bag.
• Good people, good times: From summer and Christmas parties to regular team gatherings, we make time to celebrate together.
• A mission that matters: Work on challenges with tangible impact on public safety and national security.