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.

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:
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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.