Founding Recruiter

Job description

We’re building a gamified developer platform where tens of thousands of engineers create high-fidelity datasets that push LLM frontiers. Recruiting is mission-critical to scaling this vision. As our Founding Recruiter, you’ll build the function from zero: systems, process, and brand. You’ll start as a player-coach—sourcing, selling, and closing top talent—then grow into leading a team that scales with us. WHAT YOU’LL DO - Build recruiting from scratch: Design and implement the tools, processes, brand, and training to scale hiring. - Own full-cycle recruiting: Source, assess, sell, and close candidates across technical (AI/ML/Eng) and ops roles. - Be a player-coach: Execute searches hands-on today, while building the roadmap for a future team. - Improve speed and quality: Shorten time-to-fill, track funnel metrics, and instill rigor into every stage of hiring. - Champion candidate experience: Protect our brand, ensure fast response times, and run a respectful, engaging process. - Run great intakes: Partner with hiring managers to deeply understand roles, set priorities, and flex across disciplines. - Source creatively: Go beyond LinkedIn (GitHub, niche forums, personal networks) to surface hidden talent. - Close strategically: Tailor the pitch to each candidate’s motivations, explain equity/comp packages, and win against competition. - Teach & train: Help the team interview well, legally, and fairly; build structured processes and rubrics. YOU’LL SUCCEED HERE IF YOU HAVE - Proven full-cycle recruiting experience, especially in technical roles. - Startup experience—ideally as a founding or first recruiter, with bias toward small-company breadth over big-company depth. - San Francisco market familiarity—strong local networks, norms, and understanding of compensation standards. - Demonstrated scrappy sourcing chops—you can show us creative tactics that worked. - Strong closer skills—able to handle competitive offers and tailor sell-stories to candidate motivations. - Comfort recruiting AI/ML talent; you know where to find them and how to get their attention. - Excellent written & verbal communication with low ego and high EQ. - Ability to operate in-person with us in SF (especially in the early stage) to embed with the team. - A structured mindset: clarity on non-negotiables vs flex areas, and how to prioritize candidate profiles. CHARACTERISTICS WE’RE LOOKING FOR - Scrappy, resourceful, and relentless in sourcing. - Clear communicator who thrives in ambiguity. - Values-driven: cares about mutual fit, not just closing. - Excited to build something foundational at an early-stage startup.