Senior IT Recruiter

Team CATHEXIS elevates the government contracting experience through rapid response, deep skill, and thoughtful problem-solving and communication. Our core capabilities are top-tier program and project management, data analytics, and audit services, backed by an integrated approach to operational excellence. We operate with an all-in mindset, working together to create a company that supports shared values and individual goals. Our values center around leading with integrity, owning the outcome, growing together, and moving with purpose.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional Senior IT Recruiter to join our growing Talent Acquisition team. This is a senior, strategic role focused on full-lifecycle recruiting for cleared technical positions across our federal client portfolio, with immediate ownership of surge requisitions for AI/ML Engineers and Data Scientists. The ideal candidate is a top performer who operates with autonomy, hunts passive cleared talent, closes offers quickly, and brings a data-driven mindset to pipeline insights and market intelligence. This is a hybrid role with 3 days a week onsite in Tysons, VA.

Responsibilities

• Talent Acquisition & Full-Lifecycle Recruiting
  • Own full-lifecycle delivery for assigned cleared technical requisitions, including structured intake, market mapping, sourcing strategy, outreach, technical screening, interview coordination, and offer negotiations.
  • Hunt passive cleared talent (AI/ML Engineers, Data Scientists, software engineering, cloud/DevOps, data engineering) through ClearanceJobs, LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean search, and professional networks.
  • Recruit across clearance levels (Secret through TS/SCI), with a solid understanding of clearance eligibility.
  • Screen with technical credibility, assessing ML frameworks, data pipelines, model deployment, and cloud architecture to earn respect from hiring managers and candidates.
  • Run offers like a closer: leverage cleared-market compensation intelligence, set expectations early, pre-close before the offer stage, and handle structured counteroffer negotiations.
• AI/ML & Data Science Recruiting Strategy
  • Build and maintain a talent pipeline of cleared AI/ML and data science talent, delivering reporting metrics.
  • Architect durable, always-on talent pipelines through tiered engagement, networks, referral cultivation, and employer-brand touchpoints to meet surge demand from warm pipeline rather than cold-start sourcing.
• Strategic Business Partnership
  • Partner with hiring managers through structured intake meetings, weekly data-backed pipeline reviews, market feedback, and proposed resolutions.
  • Provide consultative guidance on interview best practices, offer strategy, talent/req activity, and candidate experience.
  • Influence and advise on competitive offers, realistic timelines, and process improvements to protect candidate quality and business outcomes.
  • Represent CATHEXIS credibly to every candidate.
• Metrics, Reporting & Talent Advisory
  • Own your numbers: time-to-fill, source-of-hire, submittal-to-interview and interview-to-offer ratios, and offer acceptance.
  • Present market intelligence, pipeline insights, and recruitment performance summaries with clear, actionable recommendations.
• Process & Collaboration
  • Operate established Talent Acquisition standards, including same-day documentation in the ATS, published engagement cadence, and defined pipeline ownership.
  • Partner collaboratively with the TA team, agency partners, and HR to ensure a seamless candidate and hiring manager experience.

Requirements

• 8+ years of full-lifecycle IT/technical recruiting experience with a documented record of excellence; 5+ years in a government contracting (GovCon) environment.
• Proven AI/ML recruiting depth: successful placements of machine learning engineers, data scientists, or AI researchers/engineers, with technical fluency in ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow), data pipelines, MLOps, and model deployment.
• Demonstrated cleared-talent recruiting experience (Secret/TS/TS-SCI): command of clearance types, timelines, crossover, and reciprocity dynamics, and cleared-market compensation.
• Elite direct-sourcing craft: advanced Boolean/x-ray search, talent mapping, competitor intelligence, and outreach that converts passive, in-demand candidates.
• Breadth across technical domains (software engineering, cloud/DevOps, data engineering, cybersecurity) to manage a mixed requisition load.
• Offer-stage excellence: track record of constructing competitive offers, pre-closing candidates, and defending against counteroffers in high-demand markets.
• Operational discipline: ATS fluency (Workable or similar) and sourcing tools (LinkedIn Recruiter, ClearanceJobs), with rigorous same-day documentation habits.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with confidence to present market intelligence and pipeline strategy to stakeholders and senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, a technical field, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Professional recruiting certifications (e.g., AIRS CIR/Advanced CIR, PRC, LinkedIn Certified Professional-Recruiter, ASA CSP, NAPS CPC) are a plus.
• HR credentials (e.g., SHRM-CP/SCP, HRCI PHR/aPHR) with familiarity of OFCCP-compliant recruiting in a federal contractor environment.
• Experience delivering surge or high-volume technical campaigns under compressed timelines.
• Experience recruiting for AI/data programs (e.g., ML platforms, analytics modernization, mission AI applications).

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with an annual salary range of $115,000 - $125,000 (final offer considers location, qualifications, experience, and skills).
• Performance Bonuses
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Plan (Traditional and ROTH)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off and 11 Federal Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Program
• Community Outreach Initiatives

Schedule

Hybrid role with 3 days a week onsite in Tysons, VA.