Tech Lead (Python)

Tech Lead

Company

Orcrist builds the Orcrist Intelligence Platform (OIP), a secure, Kubernetes-native system that powers open-source intelligence collection and analysis for defense and public safety customers.

Role

Lead the technical architecture of our data platform. You'll design and build the lakehouse infrastructure (Hudi, Trino, Kafka, NiFi, PySpark) that powers all downstream AI and analytics products, while mentoring a team of Data Engineers.

What you'll do

• Own the architecture of our data lakehouse—make build-vs-buy decisions, create technical designs, and lead implementation.
• Write production Python code for critical data pipelines and infrastructure components (PySpark, Kafka, NiFi).
• Set engineering standards for code quality, testing, observability, and documentation.
• Mentor Data Engineers through code reviews, 1:1s, and technical guidance.
• Partner with Product to translate requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Design data governance systems for lineage, cataloging, and compliance with government security standards.

About you

• 6+ years in data engineering with 2+ years leading technical teams or architecture.
• Expert Python (PySpark, pandas) and SQL; deep understanding of lakehouse patterns and data modeling.
• Experience with streaming (Kafka), batch processing (Spark), and modern table formats (Hudi, Iceberg, or Delta).
• Track record of building and operating large-scale data platforms in production.
• Eligible to work in Germany; EU/NATO citizenship preferred for export-control work.

Nice‑to‑haves

• German language (B1+)
• Experience with defense/government data environments
• Graph databases, or ML infrastructure.

What We Offer

• Modern stack (Hudi, Ozone, PySpark, Trino, Kafka, Kubernetes)
• Mission-driven impact
• Remote-first in Germany
• Berlin meetups
• 30 days vacation
• Equipment & learning budget