Senior Technical Recruiter - Aerospace Engineering

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions•Minneapolis, MN

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions is seeking a high-performing Senior Technical Recruiter to lead hiring across complex engineering programs supporting aerospace, defense, and advanced technology customers. This is a role for someone who thrives on challenge and knows how to fill positions others struggle to close. You will own high-impact searches across systems engineering, embedded software, hardware, electrical, manufacturing, program leadership, and other specialized disciplines critical to business growth. We are looking for a recruiter who operates like a business partner, not an order taker. Someone who can run strong intake meetings, influence hiring decisions, provide real market intelligence, build pipelines before needs become urgent, and create momentum throughout the hiring process. The right person brings urgency, ownership, and a hunter mentality. You know how to engage passive candidates, earn trust with technical talent, manage competing priorities, and close top performers in competitive markets. You are comfortable working directly with leaders, asking hard questions, challenging assumptions when needed, and driving results. This role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact, help shape recruiting strategy, and play a key role in the continued growth of a highly technical organization. This role is hybrid, and all candidates must be located in Fort Worth, TX; Scottsdale, AZ; or Minneapolis, MN. Due to the nature of this work, all candidates must be U.S. Citizens.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
4-7+ years of full-cycle technical recruiting experience in aerospace, defense, engineering services, medical device, or other complex technical industries
Proven success in filling highly technical and senior-level roles through proactive sourcing and relationship-driven recruitment
Experience hiring for disciplines such as systems, software, embedded, FPGA, hardware, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, or similar engineering functions
Strong intake and stakeholder management skills with the confidence to advise hiring leaders
Demonstrated success negotiating offers and closing candidates in competitive markets
Strong business judgment, project management and prioritization skills, and the ability to manage multiple searches simultaneously
Proven success in managing offers, negotiating compensation, overcoming counteroffers, and closing candidates in competitive markets
Skilled in Boolean search, X-ray, social sourcing, LinkedIn Recruiter, talent mapping, networking, and creative sourcing methods
Comfortable using ATS / CRM platforms such as Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, or similar systems
Metrics-minded with a focus on results, speed, and quality of hire
Comfortable with market research, salary benchmarking, and delivering market intelligence to inform hiring decisions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally
High level of urgency, accountability, and ownership with a continuous improvement mindset
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and adapting to shifting priorities
All candidates must be U.S. Citizens.

Nice To Haves

Ability to learn technical domains quickly and build credibility with engineers and hiring leaders
Familiarity with engineering standards such as DO-178C, DO-254, or similar regulated development environments
Experience using AI tools, sourcing automation, and modern talent intelligence platforms to improve recruiting outcomes
Prior experience supporting consulting, services, or customer-facing engineering delivery models
Experience recruiting for security-cleared or export-controlled programs
Familiar with recruiting compliance standards (EEO, OFCCP, GDPR, etc.)

Responsibilities

Own full-cycle recruiting for complex, business-critical technical and leadership positions
Lead intake meetings to define talent strategy, hiring priorities, and market realities
Build and execute creative sourcing strategies across passive and active talent channels
Develop pipelines for niche and future hiring needs across multiple engineering disciplines
Conduct high-quality candidate screens focused on technical fit, motivation, and alignment
Manage interview process, feedback flow, offers, negotiations, and close strategies
Own offer management, compensation negotiations, and closing strategies in collaboration with hiring managers and HR
Provide market intelligence, including talent availability, competitor activity, and compensation trends
Partner closely with hiring managers, business leaders, and Talent Acquisition leadership to improve hiring outcomes and optimize processes
Mentor junior team members and share recruiting best practices, tools, and market insights
Help improve processes, tools, systems, and employer brand initiatives
Collaborate with HR, Finance, Operations, and DEI partners to ensure seamless recruiting operations, candidate onboarding, and organizational alignment
Lead or participate in strategic initiatives and special projects, such as process audits, employer branding campaigns, workforce planning efforts, and DEI sourcing initiatives
Champion a world-class candidate experience by ensuring clear, timely communication and a respectful, engaging interview process
Ensure compliance with applicable hiring regulations and maintain high data integrity within the ATS and recruitment systems