Recruiter

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War’s core mission priorities and meet our nation’s accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

Karman Space & Defense is seeking a Recruiter to independently manage full lifecycle recruiting. This is a hybrid role that requires on-site presence three days per week at our Mukilteo, WA location. You’ll partner with hiring managers to understand role requirements, build candidate pipelines, manage interviews, and support offer activity. You’ll own day-to-day recruiting execution for assigned roles and will be expected to keep searches moving with limited oversight. The role supports technical, manufacturing, engineering, skilled labor, corporate, and mission-focused hiring needs.

Success in this role requires ownership, communication, prioritization, candidate care, process discipline, and the ability to identify and escalate recruiting risks with clear context.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Responsibilities

• Manage full lifecycle recruiting for standard requisitions from intake through offer support and onboarding handoff.
• Conduct intake meetings to clarify role requirements, timelines, selection criteria, and search strategy.
• Develop sourcing strategies using job boards, LinkedIn Recruiter, referrals, talent databases, events, and direct outreach.
• Screen and assess candidates against job requirements, role expectations, and company hiring standards.
• Manage candidate pipelines, interview coordination, candidate follow-up, and hiring manager communication.
• Maintain accurate ATS data, requisition status, candidate dispositions, and recruiting activity documentation.
• Monitor requisition progress, pipeline health, candidate flow, and process bottlenecks.
• Support offer preparation, candidate close activity, and communication of compensation or timing concerns.
• Use approved recruiting and AI-enabled tools responsibly to improve sourcing, communication, summaries, and productivity.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2–4 years of experience in recruiting, staffing, HR, talent acquisition, or a closely related function.
• Experience managing requisitions, candidate pipelines, screening activity, or hiring process coordination.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with candidates and hiring managers.
• Ability to manage multiple requisitions, priorities, timelines, and stakeholders with limited oversight.
• Working knowledge of applicant tracking systems, job boards, sourcing tools, or candidate relationship tools.
• Ability to conduct structured candidate screens and document evaluation notes accurately.
• Understanding of candidate experience, confidentiality, compliance, and EEO principles.
• Strong organization, follow-through, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, communications, psychology, organizational development, or a related field.
• Experience supporting technical, engineering, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, technician, machinist, CNC, touch labor, or corporate hiring.
• Experience with LinkedIn Recruiter, Indeed, Dice, Handshake, niche job boards, sourcing platforms, or recruiting CRM tools.
• Experience conducting intake meetings and advising hiring managers on process, candidate flow, and search expectations.
• Basic knowledge of compensation, offer support, candidate motivators, and close risk.
• Training or certification in sourcing, structured interviewing, behavioral interviewing, or recruiting fundamentals.
• Experience using recruiting metrics such as time to fill, pipeline health, candidate conversion, requisition aging, or source effectiveness.
• Familiarity with responsible AI use for sourcing support, outreach personalization, intake preparation, requisition summaries, or candidate research.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Basic and supplemental life insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.