Senior Leadership Recruiter, Hardware

Anduril-1; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 220,000 - 292,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Total compensation package

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries, a defense technology company in Washington, DC, is seeking a senior recruiter to lead executive searches for its Hardware Platform teams. You will collaborate with founders and VP-level engineers to define leadership needs and execute searches across Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering.

The role requires deep expertise in executive compensation, market intelligence, and discreet communication with high-profile candidates, delivering a premium

Qualifications

• 8+ years recruiting experience with 3+ years focused on executive or principal-level technical search.
• Proven track record hiring leadership talent in complex engineering domains (Hardware, Aerospace, Robotics, Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing).
• Experience advising C-suite, VP and Founder-level stakeholders on hiring strategy and market realities.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute end-to-end leadership and executive-level searches across Hardware Platform teams.
• Act as strategic talent advisor to C-suite executives and founders to influence leadership strategy.
• Conduct market mapping, competitor analysis, and talent intelligence to identify top leadership talent.
• Deliver a high-touch, white-glove experience for leadership candidates from outreach to onboarding.

Skills

Leadership

Executive search

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Candidate assessment

Discretion

Tools

Executive search platforms

Market intelligence tools

Job description

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

As a key member of Anduril's Hardware Platform recruiting team, you will be responsible for the company's leadership talent management as we continue to rapidly scale. Your work will be highly strategic and hands‑on, involving close collaboration with executive leadership, founders, and VP‑level engineering stakeholders to define and execute on the leadership needs of the company. To achieve this, you will be given the autonomy and tools to build and develop Anduril's world‑class leadership team across our Hardware disciplines (including Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering).

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Own and execute end-to-end leadership and executive-level searches (Director, VP, and Principal-level individual contributors) across Hardware Platform teams.


• Establish deep trust and act as a strategic talent advisor to C-suite executives, Founders, and engineering VPs to influence organizational design and leadership talent strategy.


• Conduct comprehensive market mapping, competitor analysis, and talent intelligence to identify and engage passive, top‑tier leadership talent.


• Deliver an elite, high-touch, and highly personalized \"white-glove\" experience for leadership candidates from initial outreach through onboarding.


• Design, negotiate, and close complex executive compensation packages, including base, equity structures, and performance-based incentives.


• Deeply understand Anduril's product positioning, technical roadmap, and culture to effectively pitch our mission and leadership opportunities to passive market leaders.


• Track and analyze executive pipeline metrics, market trends, and search progress to provide regular high-level updates and data-driven narratives to executive stakeholders.


• Leverage executive networking, referral campaigns, warm introductions, and advanced sourcing methodologies to engage highly coveted, passive industry leaders.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of recruiting experience, with 3+ years specifically focused on full-cycle executive, leadership, or principal-level technical search (internal executive search or top-tier executive search firm experience preferred).


• Proven track record of successfully hiring leadership talent (Managers, Directors, VPs) within complex engineering domains (e.g., Hardware, Aerospace, Robotics, Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering).


• Demonstrated experience partnering closely with and advising C-suite, VP, and Founder-level stakeholders on hiring strategy and market realities.


• Deep understanding of executive compensation models, including equity valuations, vesting schedules, and complex offer negotiations.


• Exceptional assessment skills with the ability to evaluate leadership capability, strategic thinking, cultural alignment, and technical depth.


• Clear, highly professional, and discreet communication style with the ability to build immediate rapport with high-profile candidates.


• Experience managing highly confidential searches with extreme discretion.


• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in high-growth startups, top-tier technology companies, or aerospace/defense sectors (UAS, AAV, AUV, or related hardware systems).


• Self-sufficient and highly comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with little direct supervision.


• Resilient and creative – Flexible enough to navigate complex executive search obstacles, troubleshoot, and pivot strategies on the fly.


• Exceptional active listening and communication – Direct, succinct, and influential. Capable of communicating complex business narratives effectively to high-level candidates.


• High ownership – Be accountable for your universe and in tune with the business. We take full responsibility for helping Anduril achieve its mission by continuously leveling up our leadership talent.


• Low ego, high curiosity – Value learning over being right. Welcomes candid feedback and sees every search challenge as an opportunity to iterate and improve.

US Salary Range

$220,000 - $292,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits .

As set forth in Anduril Industries’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.