Senior Technical Recruiter / Sourcer — Founding Engineer (Startup Experience Required)

We are an early-stage startup based in San Francisco, CA, and we’re looking for an experienced Technical Recruiter / Sourcer to help us identify and engage top-tier Founding Full-Stack Engineers. This role is strictly focused on sourcing and screening high-quality candidates, not volume recruiting. We are looking for someone who understands startup hiring, can assess engineering depth, and knows where elite engineers actually hang out. If you’ve successfully sourced early engineers, founding engineers, or senior full-stack engineers for startups or tech firms, this role is for you. Responsibilities • Source senior-level Founding / Early-Stage Full-Stack Engineers • Identify candidates via: • LinkedIn • GitHub • AngelList / Wellfound • Startup communities • Personal networks • Conduct initial technical & startup-fit screening • Present pre-vetted, high-quality candidates only • Coordinate with the founder on role alignment and feedback • Continuously refine sourcing strategy based on hiring signals Required Experience & Skills Must-Have: • 3–7+ years experience as a Technical Recruiter or Sourcer • Proven experience hiring for startups or early-stage companies • Experience sourcing senior full-stack or founding engineers • Strong understanding of: • Full-stack technologies • Engineering roles & seniority • Startup hiring dynamics • Excellent candidate outreach and engagement skills • Ability to assess technical depth (not just keyword matching) Nice-to-Have (Strong Plus): • Experience hiring Founding Engineers • Experience working with US-based startups • Background recruiting for SaaS or product-led companies • Existing network of senior engineers • Experience hiring in the San Francisco / Bay Area market What We’re Looking For • You focus on quality over quantity • You know how to sell an early-stage opportunity • You’re proactive and strategic, not transactional • You can challenge the founder if the requirements don’t make sense • You understand confidentiality and stealth hiring Engagement Details • Freelance / Contract (Upwork) • Scope: Sourcing + screening only • Compensation: • Hourly or • Per-qualified-candidate or • Success-based (open to discussion) • Long-term collaboration possible for future roles How to Apply (IMPORTANT) Please include: 1. Examples of senior or founding engineers you’ve sourced 2. Startup types you’ve hired for (stage, size, industry) 3. Your sourcing approach (tools, platforms, strategy) 4. How do you qualify candidates technically 5. Preferred compensation model Generic recruiter profiles will not be considered.