Senior Recruiter

San Diego, CASenior$115,000 - $125,0002+ years

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we are building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. Modern conflict has exposed a fundamental problem: the systems needed most by operators are often too expensive, too slow to produce, and too difficult to sustain at scale. Firestorm exists to change that.

We develop mission-adaptable aerial systems and deployable manufacturing infrastructure designed to put capability directly into the hands of the warfighter. From modular unmanned aircraft to xCell — our deployable microfactory — our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable, adaptable, and producible at the point of need.

We are looking for builders, operators, and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.

About the Role

Firestorm is searching for a highly skilled Senior Recruiter to play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s talent landscape during a period of rapid growth and transformation. In this position, you will serve as a trusted talent advisor to leadership, partnering closely with executives, hiring managers, and cross functional teams to understand business objectives and translate them into effective hiring strategies. You will own the recruitment lifecycle for high visibility, senior, and specialized roles while also helping Firestorm elevate its talent acquisition capabilities and employer brand.

This role requires an exceptional balance of strategy and execution. You will analyze talent market trends, guide decision making with data, and influence leaders with clear insights. At the same time, you will engage deeply in hands on recruiting through sourcing, relationship building, and managing complex candidate pipelines. The Senior Recruiter at Firestorm is not just a hiring partner but a key contributor to workforce planning, organizational design, and long term talent scalability.

You will thrive in this role if you are resourceful, proactive, and energized by a fast paced environment where innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged. Your work will have direct impact on Firestorm’s growth trajectory, culture, and long term success as you help bring in exceptional individuals who strengthen and elevate the organization.

What You’ll Do

Own and execute full-cycle recruitment for senior, niche, and hard‑to‑fill positions across multiple business units.
Serve as a strategic advisor to hiring managers, guiding them on talent market insights, workforce planning, job design, interview techniques, and hiring decisions.
Develop and implement sourcing strategies to attract diverse, high-quality candidates using advanced research, networking, and outbound engagement techniques.
Build and maintain strong talent pipelines for critical roles, ensuring readiness for future hiring needs.
Drive consistent process improvement across recruiting workflows, including evaluation criteria, interview guidelines, and decision-making frameworks.
Deliver a high-touch, inclusive candidate experience that reflects the organization’s values and Firestorm brand.
Utilize data and analytics to measure pipeline health, identify bottlenecks, evaluate sourcing effectiveness, and influence stakeholders with insights.
Partner with People/HR teams on compensation benchmarking, offers, onboarding, and hiring compliance.
Manage agency relationships as needed and ensure alignment with internal standards.
Mentor junior recruiters and coordinators by sharing best practices, providing feedback, and contributing to team development.
Represent the organization at recruiting events, conferences, and talent engagement programs.

Required Qualifications

5+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience, including at least 2 years in a senior or lead recruiter role.
Proven success recruiting for senior, specialized, or highly technical roles.
Strong understanding of sourcing methodologies, market mapping, and competitive intelligence.
Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence decisions using data insights and market expertise.
Experience working in a fast‑growing or dynamic environment (e.g., technology, biotech, finance—customize as needed).
Proficiency with applicant tracking systems (ATS), sourcing tools, CRM platforms, and recruiting analytics.
Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
High level of organization, autonomy, and adaptability.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading large scale recruiting initiatives or programs.
Background recruiting within specific domains such as technical, corporate, or go to market roles.
Professional certifications such as AIRS, CIR, SHRM, or similar.

Work Environment

Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA.

Firestorm is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions. Our culture at Firestorm fosters collaboration, respect, and trust to empower passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth.

Compensation

US Salary Range: $115,000 - $125,000 USD.

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
Equity grants for new hires
Unlimited PTO
Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November & December
Generous Parental Leave
Lifestyle Spending Account
FSA
DCFSA
HSA
Hospital Indemnity insurance
Critical Illness insurance
Accident insurance
Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.

Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.

$155,000 - $185,000

Embedded Linux Software Team LeadSan Diego, CA

$140,000 - $180,000

Director of MarketingSan Diego, CA

$160,000 - $195,000

Principal Automation EngineerSan Diego, CA

$238,000 - $262,000

Principal Airframe Design EngineerSan Diego, CA

$153,000 - $206,000

Sr. Director of Talent StrategySan Diego, CA

$200,000 - $250,000