Palo Alto, CA | On-site
$150K–$200K + equity + full benefits
Our client is an early-stage robotics company based in Palo Alto, building advanced hardware for mission-critical environments. The company is currently operating in stealth mode, with more details shared during the introductory call.
You'll be the first recruiter in the company, working side by side with the CEO to build one of the strongest engineering teams in robotics.
This is a deeply hands-on recruiting role.
You'll personally find, engage, and close exceptional engineers while helping build the recruiting function as the company grows.
The Role
You'll own technical recruiting from end to end.
Every critical engineering hire starts with you.
You'll spend more time working alongside the CEO than anyone else in the company, helping shape every key hiring decision.
Your focus will be to:
Build an outbound and referral engine from scratch
Find exceptional engineers who aren't actively looking
Turn cold outreach into lasting relationships
Create a recruiting experience that top talent talks about
Help build the recruiting function as the company scales
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for a fascinating human first and an exceptional technical recruiter second.
One thing the founder cares deeply about is an unconventional life story that has nothing to do with recruiting.
Think military veterans, expedition guides, wildland firefighters, elite hospitality, conflict-zone NGOs, mountain or dive guides, endurance athletes, founders, or people who've intentionally chosen the harder path and grown because of it.
Your path doesn't have to look the same. We're looking for curiosity, resilience, resourcefulness, and an obsession with solving difficult problems.
On the recruiting side, you've recently been hands-on at an early-stage startup or boutique search firm, personally owning difficult engineering searches. You genuinely enjoy sourcing, outbound recruiting, and closing exceptional candidates more than managing recruiters. You thrive in ambiguity and love building things that don't exist yet.
Pace
This is an early-stage startup, and the pace is intense.
Sometimes that means getting on a plane tomorrow because that's where the best engineer is.
Location
On-site in Palo Alto.
Relocation support available.
Travel expected.
Why This Role
Be the first recruiter in the company
Partner directly with the CEO every day
Own every critical engineering hire
Build the recruiting function as the company grows
Help shape the future of the company from day one
No pipeline. No process. No recruiting team.
You'll be the first recruiter here. Every engineer who joins during these early years will be someone you found, convinced, and helped bring on board.