Trades Recruiter

NSS has an immediate need for a Trades Recruiter to work onsite in Hampton Roads, VA 1-2 days per week.This is a long-term contract role that may convert to full-time with our customer down the road. 

This role is in support of a sustainment organization that performs maintenance, repair and modernization on military equipment across multiple U.S. locations. To meet a surge in hiring demand, our customer need a contract recruiter who will own trades requisitions from intake through offer.

This is a full-life-cycle role, not a sourcing-only seat. Trades candidates are often not active on LinkedIn, and hiring managers spend most of their day on the deck plates, so success depends on phone outreach, referrals, community and trade-organization relationships, and in-person hiring events.

The work does not involve union hiring.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a high-volume load of trades requisitions end to end: intake, sourcing, screening, submittal, interview coordination, offer and onboarding handoff.
• Drive daily outbound call and text outreach to build pipelines for welders, machinists, mechanics, electricians and other skilled trades.
• Generate candidate flow through referrals, Indeed, internal ATS and talent communities.
• Build partnerships with trade schools, apprenticeship programs, veteran groups and other trades organizations.
• Plan, promote and staff hiring events, including on-site events in Hampton Roads where possible.
• Partner closely with hiring managers who work on the deck plates; adapt to their schedules to keep feedback and decisions moving.
• Maintain accurate candidate and requisition data and report on pipeline health and hiring progress.
• Cross-train with the outgoing team member before her leave to take over active requisitions smoothly.

Required qualifications

• 2–3 years of recruiting experience focused on skilled trades.
• Willingness to work on-site in Hampton Roads, VA 1-2 days per week
• Proven full-life-cycle recruiting experience
• Track record in a high-volume, metrics-driven environment.
• Comfort with heavy phone outreach and direct candidate engagement.
• Hands-on experience sourcing through Indeed, referrals and community channels.
• Ability to start no later than October 26, 2026.

Preferred qualifications

• Trades recruiting experience at a major staffing firm such as Aerotek, Insight Global, Manpower, Randstad, Adecco or Tek Systems.
• Based in or familiar with the Hampton Roads labor market, with the ability to attend hiring events and meet managers on site.
• Experience recruiting for defense, shipbuilding or military maintenance programs.
• Familiarity with the local trades talent pool shared with employers such as Lockheed Martin, GDIT, BAE Systems, Colonna's Shipyard and ManTech.

Ideal candidate profile
The ideal hire is a production-minded "hustler" from a staffing agency trades desk who thrives on volume and works the phone rather than waiting on applicants. They build pipelines before requisitions open and are energized by hiring events and community outreach.