VLM & VFM Forward Deployed Engineer

fde; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Matroid, the Stanford-founded computer vision platform, seeks a VLM & VFM Forward Deployed Engineer in Palo Alto, CA. You will train and deploy vision-centric and vision-language models for defect inspection, anomaly detection, assembly verification and safety monitoring across cloud, edge and hybrid deployments.

You will integrate with MES, PLC, SCADA and video management systems while shipping end-to-end CV systems.

Qualifications

• Experience with vision-language models and CV systems.
• Defect inspection and anomaly detection expertise.
• Hands-on deployment to cloud, edge, and hybrid environments.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

JAX

Job description

VLM & VFM Forward Deployed Engineer at Matroid, the Stanford-founded computer vision platform (founded 2016) serving manufacturing, automotive, logistics, aerospace and security customers. Train and deploy vision-centric and vision-language models for defect inspection, anomaly detection, assembly verification and safety monitoring; ship end-to-end CV systems across cloud, edge and hybrid; integrate with MES, PLC, SCADA and video management systems. PyTorch/TensorFlow/JAX, strong Python. Palo Alto, CA. $150,000–$300,000 per year. Verified on Matroid's Breezy board.

Almost every FDE listing right now is an LLM job wearing a deployment hat; this one wants vision-language and visual foundation models pointed at defect inspection and PLC/SCADA integration. The 2x band width ($150K–$300K) says Matroid hasn't decided whether it's hiring a CV researcher or a field engineer — and the JD reads like it genuinely wants both.

VLM & VFM Forward Deployed Engineer at Matroid. Location: Palo Alto, CA. Compensation: $150K–$300K. Posted July 18, 2026.