Recruiter

ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges.

Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development-from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY ™when it matters most.

POSITION SUMMARY

Location : On-site or Hybrid 2-3 days per week at our Pinehurst area location

Kraken Kinetics is seeking a highly driven Recruiter to help scale our team across technical, manufacturing, operational, and business functions. Reporting directly to the Head of People, this role will serve as a key partner in building the next generation of talent at Kraken Kinetics. As part of a small and rapidly growing team, the Recruiter will operate in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where priorities evolve quickly and adaptability is critical. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys balancing strategic recruiting with hands-on execution, thrives in ambiguity, and is excited to help build scalable hiring processes while supporting aggressive company growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Own full-cycle recruiting across a broad range of roles including engineering, manufacturing, operations, administrative, and leadership positions.
• Partner closely with hiring managers and leadership to define hiring needs, align on candidate profiles, and drive efficient hiring processes.
• Build and manage candidate pipelines through sourcing, networking, referrals, outbound outreach, and recruiting platforms.
• Conduct candidate screening, interview coordination, and interview process management from initial outreach through offer stage.
• Ensure an exceptional candidate experience through clear communication, responsiveness, and professionalism.
• Help improve and scale recruiting operations, workflows, interview processes, and hiring documentation.
• Maintain accurate recruiting data, candidate tracking, and reporting within the applicant tracking system.
• Assist with onboarding coordination and help ensure smooth candidate transitions into the organization.
• Operate with urgency and adaptability in support of rapidly evolving hiring priorities and organizational growth.
• Contribute to building scalable talent acquisition processes that support Kraken Kinetics' long-term growth objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 5+ years of recruiting or talent acquisition experience, preferably in a fast-paced startup, manufacturing, defense, aerospace, hardware, or technical environment.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent searches across varied job functions and seniority levels.
• Strong sourcing and candidate engagement capabilities.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative, evolving environment with limited structure.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.

Preferred

• Experience using Ashby ATS.
• Experience recruiting for technical, engineering, manufacturing, or defense-related roles.
• Experience helping build or improve recruiting processes within a scaling organization.
• Familiarity with security clearance requirements or defense industry hiring environments.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• High sense of urgency and ownership.
• Resourceful, proactive, and solutions-oriented.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and rapidly changing priorities.
• Organized and operationally minded while maintaining a people-first approach.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Kraken Kinetics is committed to offering a competitive compensation package to attract and retain top talent. This full-time, exempt position offers an annual salary range of $70,000- $95,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

Security Requirement

US Citizen

Security Statement: This position requires special access to U.S. government information. You must be a U.S. citizen for consideration

Benefits included :

• Generous PTO policy
• Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).
• Vision & dental (100% company-paid)
• Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)
• Generous 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-paid life insurance
• Great teammates and well stocked snacks

LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)

Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life.

Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham.

Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs.

We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.

Watch what it's like to live here:
[ Video Link]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.