Screened by working engineers
Engineers currently in the role assess candidates before your loop. They can tell whether the systems on a CV were built, maintained, or merely adjacent, which a recruiter reading keywords cannot.
Software Engineering Recruiting
Software Engineering Recruiting for Startups
Built around what must ship, not a keyword checklist.
Technical hiring is our specialty. We translate architecture, product priorities, team constraints, and delivery goals into a candidate profile engineers respect and founders can evaluate. The result is a search based on the work ahead—not a copied technology-stack checklist.
Hiring companies pay the fee. Exclusive search from 17% · Retained search at 20%.
Roles and Teams
Where We Add Recruiting Depth
Founding engineer
Full-stack engineer
Backend engineer
Frontend engineer
Mobile engineer
Platform engineer
Applied AI engineer
Engineering manager and VP Engineering
What We Know
The Search Changes With the Business Context
Fifteen-plus years working with startup founders and HR professionals informs how we define, assess, and close technical talent.
Define the operating problem
The brief should explain what must be built, stabilized, migrated, or scaled and what success looks like in the first year.
Evaluate real decisions
We look for evidence of scope, technical judgment, delivery, collaboration, and learning—not trivia or prestige signals.
Separate leadership types
A first engineering leader may code daily. A scaling leader may build managers and systems. Those are different searches.
Close scarce candidates
Clear scope, efficient interviews, credible technical conversations, and calibrated compensation matter.
Seed
Protect runway. Hire a hands-on builder with enough range to create the function, not merely occupy it.
Series A
Add repeatability without unnecessary layers. Prioritize people who build systems while continuing to execute.
Series B
Hire for scale and durable ownership. Decide whether leadership depth or a senior IC removes the constraint faster.
Avoidable Hiring Errors
Where Searches Go Wrong
- Writing a stack inventory instead of a mission
- Hiring a manager for a hands-on building problem
- Using interview difficulty as a proxy for relevance
- Taking weeks to decide in a fast technical market
Frequently Asked
Can you recruit highly technical roles?
Yes. Software engineering is our core strength, including foundational builders, applied AI, platform, product engineering, and leadership.
Do you run retained engineering searches?
Yes. Leadership and other high-consequence searches can use a 20% retained engagement.
Know the Role. Then Run the Right Search.
Start with the free planner or speak with us about a technical search. We work for the hiring company across the US and Canada.