Technical Recruiter (Software)

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

Swarm Aero is revolutionizing air power by developing the world's largest swarming UAV and the most versatile aircraft network. We are rapidly advancing to launch the first aircraft specifically designed for swarming, along with the Command & Control software to coordinate thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets, empowering human operators to achieve extraordinary results.

Our team comprises individuals who have successfully created and exited multiple startups, secured defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built over 30 novel aircraft. Our aerospace experience spans industry leaders like Scaled Composites, SpaceX, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

The Opportunity

We're building something that matters and we're doing it fast. As our first dedicated engineering recruiter, you won't be filling a backlog of reqs. You'll be building the engine that powers our entire engineering organization. You'll have a direct line to leadership, a seat at the table when headcount decisions are made, and the creative freedom to build the recruiting function from the ground up.

This role is for someone who's tired of working in a system someone else built and is ready to own one. If you've spent your career placing elite software engineers and you've been craving a stage to show what you can really do, this is it.

What You'll Own

• Drive full-cycle recruiting for software engineering across Full Stack, Autonomy/Robotics, and Forward Deployed Engineering roles that require technical depth and a sharp eye for talent.

• Partner directly with engineering leadership and hiring managers to deeply understand team needs, define role profiles, and move quickly without sacrificing quality.

• Build our recruiting infrastructure from scratch: sourcing strategies, interview frameworks, scorecards, candidate experience, offer processes, and everything in between.

• Become a genuine talent brand ambassador representing us authentically to candidates and building pipelines before we even open a req.

• Develop and own relationships with the specific communities where exceptional engineers actually live: open-source contributors, robotics researchers, ML practitioners, field engineers.

• Track and report on recruiting metrics that actually matter time-to-hire, pipeline health, offer acceptance rate, source quality and use data to improve the process.

• Scale the function: as we grow, you'll have the opportunity to build and lead a recruiting team underneath you.

Who You Are

You're a heavy hitter. You've recruited elite engineers not just strong ones and you can tell the difference in a 20-minute conversation. You've placed software engineers at places where the bar is exceptionally high, and you have the receipts.

• 5+ years recruiting software engineers in fast-paced, high-growth environments startup or top-tier tech company experience strongly preferred.

• Deep domain fluency in at least one of: full stack product engineering, autonomy/robotics/perception, or forward deployed / field engineering roles.

• Exceptional sourcing instincts you don't wait for inbounds. You know how to find people who aren't looking, build relationships before the req opens, and create genuine excitement around a company.

• Strong technical literacy. You won't pass the whiteboard, but you can hold a real conversation about systems design, tech stacks, and what "good" looks like for a given role.

• Operator mentality. You're comfortable with ambiguity, you build systems rather than waiting for them, and you close things.

• A storyteller. You can articulate why our mission, our team, and this moment in our company's journey is an opportunity a top candidate can't walk away from.

• Low ego, high ownership. You thrive when the team wins, you're generous with what you know, and you don't need the spotlight just the results.

Nice to Haves

• Experience recruiting for autonomy, robotics, or defense-adjacent tech companies.

• Experience recruiting forward deployed engineers or customer-facing technical roles.

• Prior experience as the first or founding recruiter at a company you know what it means to build from zero.

• Existing network in relevant engineering communities (ML, robotics, embedded systems, infrastructure).

     *If you're the kind of recruiter who has always believed you could build something better here's your shot.*

Compensation Range:

• $125,000 - $185,000 + Equity 

What we Offer:

• Direct access and influence. You'll work side-by-side with founders and engineering leadership no layers, no bureaucracy.

• The chance to build something that outlasts you. The recruiting function, culture, and team you build here will define this company for years.

• A mission worth recruiting for the kind candidates actually get excited about when you tell them what we're working on.

• Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k

• PTO and Paid Sick Time

• Monthly Wellness Stipend

• Daily catered lunch to office

• Paid Parental leave

• Flexible work arrangement - remote/hybrid with regular collaboration in Oxnard

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and trustworthy work environment, Swarm Aero conducts a thorough screening of prospective employees. Candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background verification process as a prerequisite for employment.

What We Offer

• Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

• Medical, dental, vision, and 401k

• PTO and paid sick leave

• Monthly wellness stipend

• Daily catered lunch (office)

• Paid parental leave

• Direct impact on a critical national security mission

• A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems