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Technical Sourcer (Contract)

Oxnard, California, United States; Remote

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.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly technical, outbound-focused Technical Sourcer to help build world-class engineering teams across software, autonomy, and select hardware disciplines. This role is for a true hunter who thrives in ambiguous searches, builds pipelines from scratch, and can credibly engage and screen deeply technical candidates.

You will partner closely with recruiters, engineering leadership, and hiring managers to define ideal profiles, develop sourcing strategies, and ensure candidate quality before handoff.

Why This Role Matters

This role is critical to our ability to scale elite engineering teams in extremely competitive talent markets. You will operate as a strategic partner to the business, directly impacting hiring velocity, candidate quality, and long-term talent pipeline strength.

What You Will Do

  • Proactively source and engage top-tier technical talent across software engineering roles (full stack, forward deployed, autonomy) and select mechanical and aerospace engineering disciplines
  • Own outbound sourcing efforts for hard-to-fill and high-impact engineering roles from initial research through qualified candidate handoff
  • Conduct technical screening conversations to assess role-relevant skills, problem-solving ability, and real-world engineering experience
  • Evaluate technical depth and signal quality in resumes, portfolios, GitHub profiles, and prior work experience
  • Translate technical requirements into targeted search strategies across LinkedIn, GitHub, open-source communities, technical forums, publications, and other niche platforms
  • Build and maintain long-term talent pipelines rather than reacting solely to open requisitions
  • Partner closely with recruiters and hiring managers to calibrate on technical bar, candidate quality, and screening criteria
  • Develop creative, non-obvious sourcing approaches to identify passive and underrepresented technical talent
  • Track sourcing and screening outcomes, using data to continuously improve quality and conversion rates

Required Qualifications: 

  • 5+ years of technical sourcing experience in high-bar environments such as startups, aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomy, or fast scaling technology companies
  • Demonstrated success sourcing senior and difficult-to-fill engineering roles, especially software engineers and highly specialized technical profiles
  • Strong technical literacy across modern software stacks and familiarity with autonomy, robotics, mechanical, or aerospace engineering fundamentals
  • Proven ability to build pipelines from scratch and consistently generate qualified outbound candidates
  • Deep experience with advanced sourcing techniques including Boolean search, GitHub and open-source analysis, and non-traditional sourcing channels
  • High level of ownership, persistence, and curiosity, with a bias toward action
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in technical candidate outreach

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Experience sourcing forward deployed or customer-facing engineers
  • Familiarity with aerospace, autonomy, robotics, or defense-focused engineering organizations
  • Prior experience supporting early-stage or rapidly scaling technical teams
  • Experience partnering directly with founders or senior engineering leadership

What we Offer

  • 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
  • Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security
  • World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problems

Compensation Range:

  • $60/hr. - 90/hr. (6 month duration with potential for extension/conversion)

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.

To conform to U.S. Government controlled technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 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 eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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