---
title: 'Head of Computer Vision Engineering (m/f/d) at Alpine Eagle GmbH'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-computer-vision-engineering-m-f-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-karlsruhe-ee222m1skewt'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-14'
---

# Head of Computer Vision Engineering (m/f/d) at Alpine Eagle GmbH

- **Company:** Alpine Eagle GmbH
- **Location:** Karlsruhe, Germany
- **Posted:** 2025-05-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/alpineeagle/jobs/4584007101

## Job description

At Alpine Eagle, we are a team of specialists with backgrounds in defence, aerospace engineering and machine learning, building the first airborne, swarm-based system to provide protection against the rising drone threat. We believe that recent conflicts have shown the malicious and disruptive potential of drones in both civilian and defense scenarios. In addition, we are convinced that the next step in counter-drone is air-to-air. We want to ensure that all governments and institutions that believe in personal freedom and the rule of law have cutting edge solutions to protect against this rising threat.

We offer a work environment that is inclusive and open, with a flat hierarchy, and a purpose-driven team. We want to reinforce a culture where great ideas can flourish, and great people collaborate.

As the Head of Computer Vision Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in advancing Alpine Eagle’s drone technology. You will lead and inspire our computer vision and perception team, shaping the future of our UAV solutions. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will develop and optimize computer vision algorithms, drive perception architecture, and collaborate across teams to deliver next-generation drone capabilities.

🎯 How you will make an impact:

- Lead the computer vision strategy and roadmap Define milestones aligned with company goals, establish systematic development processes, and ensure timely delivery of innovative computer vision capabilities.
- Design, implement, and optimize computer vision algorithms for visual navigation Develop real-time object detection and classification, multi-object tracking across frames and scenes, and visual SLAM for outdoor navigation.
- Integrate vision systems with robotic platforms and edge devices Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deploy robust solutions in production environments.
- Design and optimize algorithms and architectures Develop advanced computer vision algorithms for drone applications such as object detection, tracking, segmentation, and scene understanding. Evaluate and benchmark models using real-world datasets and simulations.
- Build and develop a high-performing team Lead by example, mentor engineers, and foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and technical excellence.
- Stay at the forefront of technology Continuously research and implement state-of-the-art computer vision techniques, with a focus on aerial and C-UAS applications.
- Champion code quality and documentation Promote best practices through code reviews, maintain high code quality, and ensure clear, consistent documentation.

✅ What you need to be successful:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field; PhD is a plus
- Strong experience with deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) and architectures such as CNNs, object detectors, and tracking algorithms
- Proficiency in object detection models (YOLO, Faster R-CNN, SSD, etc.)
- Solid understanding of visual SLAM, structure-from-motion, and navigation techniques
- Programming skills in Python and C++ (ROS experience is a plus)
- Familiarity with OpenCV, CUDA, and real-time video processing
- Proven ability to lead and build high-performing teams in fast-paced, innovative environments
- Hands-on approach with strong ownership and accountability
- Systematic problem-solving skills and excellent documentation habits
- Collaborative mindset with a team-first attitude

At Alpine Eagle, we are committed to diversity and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, or sexual identity.

## About Alpine Eagle GmbH

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Alpine Eagle builds airborne counter-unmanned aircraft systems (c-UAS) to detect and intercept hostile drones at scale.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed stage) – raised €10.25 M seed round in Q1 2025
- **Headquarters**: Munich, Germany (with offices in Karlsruhe and London)
- **Founded**: 2023
- **Founders**: Jan-Hendrik Boelens (Co-Founder & CEO) and Timo Breuer (Co-Founder); additional founding team members include Jamie Bennett and other aerospace engineers.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defence technology / Counter-UAS (counter-drone systems)
- **Target customers**: B2B / B2G – military and security forces, government agencies, and allied defence partners.
- **Mission purpose**: “Restoring control of low-altitude airspace” by providing mobile, persistent, and cost-effective airborne defence against autonomous drone threats.

## Products & Services
- **Sentinel**: An airborne c-UAS system that integrates multi-sensor detection (radar, EO/IR), fire control, and kinetic interception into a single networked platform. Sentinel is the world’s first air-to-air counter-drone system, designed to operate as a closed sensor-to-shooter loop. The system can be deployed as a swarm or as a single unit and is terrain-independent. *Type: Hardware + Software (SaaS-like mission management).*
- **Distributed sensor network** (patent filed Feb 2025): A swarm of unmanned autonomous vehicles that implements a distributed sensor network for wide-area surveillance and threat identification.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Total funding – USD 10.96 M (€10.25 M) as of April 2025.
- **Notable Investors**: IQ Capital (lead), HCVC, General Catalyst, High-Tech Gruenderfonds, Expeditions Fund, and 3 other undisclosed investors.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - 125% headcount growth (YoY, from ~12 to 27 employees) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpineeagle/)
  - Deployed Sentinel with Ukrainian Armed Forces in active combat environments (Q2 2025) [alpineeagle.com](https://alpineeagle.com/about-us/)
  - First systems delivered to Bundeswehr for operational trials (2024)
  - Expanded operations to the UK and Netherlands in 2025
  - 15 active job postings and a 66.7% YoY increase in job postings

## Competitive Advantages
- **Airborne approach** – Unlike ground-based systems, Alpine Eagle’s air-to-air interceptors can detect and engage drones at long range (beyond 5 km), closing the gap that conventional systems leave open.
- **Cost efficiency** – Significantly lower per‑intercept cost compared to high-end ground-based systems, making swarm‑scale deployment affordable.
- **Mobility & persistence** – Systems are forward-deployable, rapidly relocatable, and can sustain 24/7 operations.
- **Proven in combat** – Operational validation with Ukrainian forces provides real‑world credibility.
- **Integrated tech stack** – In‑house expertise in machine learning, sensor fusion, radar, and aeronautical engineering.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling from prototype to production** – Transitioning from trial deployments to mass‑production for European and allied militaries.
- **Geographic expansion** – Building commercial teams in Poland, UK, and other Eastern European markets.
- **Deepening autonomy** – Enhancing computer vision, autonomous swarm coordination, and closed-loop mission management.
- **Partnerships** – Working closely with NATO and allied defence procurement agencies.

## Why Work Here
- **Cutting‑edge mission** – Engineers work on real‑world autonomous systems that are deployed in live defence operations.
- **High growth trajectory** – The team doubled in 12 months; new hires will shape the company’s culture and technical direction.
- **Deep tech culture** – Teams are split across machine learning, sensor fusion, flight physics, and radar engineering; strong background from companies like Volocopter, Quantum Systems, Airbus, and Fraunhofer.
- **Flexible locations** – Offices in Munich and Karlsruhe (Germany) and a growing presence in London. Roles are primarily on‑site, but some hybrid working is possible.
- **Notable perks** – Not disclosed, but the environment emphasises “passion and drive” and the chance to build a radically different defence capability from the ground up.

## Sources
1. [alpineeagle.com/about-us](https://alpineeagle.com/about-us/)
2. [alpineeagle.com](https://alpineeagle.com/)
3. [linkedin.com/company/alpineeagle](https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpineeagle/)
4. [cbinsights.com/company/alpine-eagle](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/alpine-eagle)
5. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/alpineeagle](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/alpineeagle)

## Other roles at Alpine Eagle GmbH

- [Head of Communications & Marketing (m/f/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-communications-marketing-m-f-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-munich-k834w6tzm3pv) — Munich, Germany
- [Full Stack Engineer – Frontend Focus (m/f/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/full-stack-engineer-frontend-focus-m-f-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-karlsruhe-baden-75nkfk8de4xk) — Karlsruhe Baden-Württemberg Germany München Bavaria, Germany
- [Working Student Prototyping - Drones (m/w/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/working-student-prototyping-drones-m-w-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-munich-c1qd6484vrnz) — Munich, Germany
- [Flight Test Pilot - Drones (m/f/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-test-pilot-drones-m-f-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-karlsruhe-3jh7b7rk6sxs) — Karlsruhe, Germany
- [Business Development Manager (m/f/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-manager-m-f-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-united-kingdom-sqspfze649s9) — United Kingdom
- [Business Development Lead - Germany (m/f/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-lead-germany-m-f-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-germany-qrdsvjm0ksrb) — Germany
- [Head of C-UAS Mission Management System (m/f/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-c-uas-mission-management-system-m-f-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-munich-t66xbb7rzrra) — Munich, Germany
- [Robotics Engineer — Agent Control & UAV Autonomy (m/w/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/robotics-engineer-agent-control-uav-autonomy-m-w-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-karlsruhe-2gmn8v1jh32f) — Karlsruhe Baden-Württemberg Germany München Bavaria, Germany
- [Flight Physics & Flight Controls Engineer (m/w/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/flight-physics-flight-controls-engineer-m-w-d-alpine-eagle-gmbh-karlsruhe-baden-g93v595srb76) — Karlsruhe Baden-Württemberg Germany München Bavaria, Germany
- [Product Safety & Certification Engineer – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) (m/w/d)](https://feeny.ai/job/product-safety-certification-engineer-unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas-m-w-d-p0ffer6ekma3) — Karlsruhe Baden-Württemberg Germany München Bavaria, Germany