Join to apply for the Lead Sourcer/Recruiter – Semiconductor Engineering (12-month contract) role at Axelera AI
About Us
Axelera AI is not your regular deep-tech startup. We are creating the next‑generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advance humanity and improve the world around us. In just four years, we have raised a total of $120 million and have built a world‑class team of 220+ employees (including 49+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations). Our team is remote from 17 different countries, with offices in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, and the Netherlands. We have also launched our Metis™ AI Platform, which achieves a 3‑5x increase in efficiency and performance, and have visibility into a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Lead Recruiter (In‑House Headhunter / Senior Sourcer) to drive high‑impact hiring across Axelera AI. This role is ideal for an experienced recruiter with a strong agency or executive search background who excels in direct headhunting, market intelligence, and creative sourcing within semiconductors, AI hardware, and deep‑tech environments. You will act as Axelera AI’s recruiting search partner, personally owning complex searches end‑to‑end – focused on a mix of senior commercial hires and specialized technical roles across departments as business needs evolve.
Key Responsibilities

End‑to‑End Recruitment Ownership: manage the full lifecycle from market mapping and direct outreach through offer negotiation and candidate handover to the Onboarding team.
Senior Commercial Hiring: conduct searches for Sales and Business Development roles (Sales Directors, Customer & Field Application Engineers, etc.) to drive revenue and strategic growth.
Technical Hiring: support internal needs for specialized roles such as Software Embedded, Application, Delivery, and Compiler Engineers; Hardware Verification, Logical & Digital Design, and DFT Engineers.
Market Intelligence & Talent Pipelines: build and maintain detailed market maps and talent pipelines for critical roles across semiconductors, AI hardware, and software; conduct ongoing research to identify emerging talent pools and hiring trends.
Employer Branding: represent Axelera AI positively in the talent market through outreach, networking, and candidate engagement; contribute to initiatives that position Axelera AI as a top destination for AI and semiconductor talent.

Qualifications

7+ years of recruitment experience with a strong track record in direct search and talent acquisition (agency or executive search background preferred).
Essential: experience recruiting within semiconductors, AI hardware, or deep‑tech environments.
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, able to influence and partner effectively with senior leaders.
Advanced market mapping, research, and networking capabilities.
Comfortable operating independently in a fast‑paced, scaling environment.
Broad understanding of commercial and technical profiles across hardware, software, and go‑to‑market functions.
Well‑organised and data‑driven.

Location

Flexible working arrangement: work from one of our Axelera AI offices (Leuven, Belgium; Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Netherlands; Florence, Milan, Italy; Bristol, United Kingdom) if you are already based nearby.
Work fully remotely from any European country (incl. the UK) you are already in.

What We Offer
This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast‑growing, international organization. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a bonus structure tied to successful placements and hiring milestones, a pension plan, extensive employee insurances, and the option to get company shares. This is a 1‑year fixed‑term contract with a possibility to extend to a permanent position afterward. An open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic for the way we act and work as a team.
Due to the holiday period, we will not be screening incoming applications before January 5 – we will contact select candidates only after that date.
At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Human Resources
Industries
Semiconductor Manufacturing
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