Lead Technical Recruiter

Twenty is seeking a Technical Recruiter for an in-office position in its Arlington, VA office to help build our world-class engineering team that develops next-generation cyber technologies protecting democracies worldwide. We're looking for someone with 4+ years of technical recruiting experience, particularly in sourcing software engineers, AI/ML engineers, and full-stack developers with security clearance requirements. In this role, you'll be the bridge between cutting-edge technology and top-tier talent, identifying and attracting engineers who can work with complex technologies like Golang, graph databases, GraphQL APIs, and AI/ML systems. You'll join our mission-critical team that delivers solutions for U.S. national security, understanding both the technical requirements and the unique challenges of recruiting for classified environments. If you're passionate about finding exceptional technical talent while making a direct impact on national security, we want to talk to you.

About the Company

At Twenty, we're taking on one of the most critical challenges of our time: defending democracies in the digital age. We develop revolutionary technologies that operate at the intersection of cyber and electromagnetic domains, where the speed of operations exceeds human sensing and complexity transcends conventional boundaries. Our team doesn't just solve problems – we deliver game-changing outcomes that directly impact national security. We're pragmatic optimists who understand that while our mission of protecting America and its allies is challenging, success is possible.

Role Details

Technical Talent Acquisition

• Source, screen, and recruit software engineers across multiple levels (Associate to Senior) with expertise in Go, React.js, TypeScript, and GraphQL

• Identify and attract AI/ML engineers with experience in Python, PyTorch, LLM fine-tuning, and vector databases

• Build and maintain talent pipelines for specialized roles requiring graph database experience (Neo4j) and cloud-native technologies

• Conduct technical phone screens to assess candidates' proficiency in required programming languages and frameworks

• Partner with hiring managers to understand complex technical requirements and translate them into effective recruiting strategies

Security Clearance & Compliance Recruiting

• Navigate the unique challenges of recruiting for security clearance-eligible positions

• Screen candidates for U.S. citizenship requirements and security clearance eligibility

Candidate Experience & Relationship Management

• Create exceptional candidate experiences that reflect our mission-critical work and company values

• Build and maintain relationships with passive candidates in the cybersecurity and defense technology space

• Conduct thorough interviews to assess both technical capabilities and career motivations

• Coordinate complex interview processes involving technical assessments, behavioral interviews, and security screenings

Strategic Recruiting & Market Intelligence

• Develop and execute recruiting strategies for hard-to-fill technical positions, including for candidates who will relocate from other cities

• Build relationships with universities, coding bootcamps, and technical communities

• Research and understand compensation trends for technical roles (including exceptional qualifications like AI/ML experience and roles requiring security clearances)

• Track and analyze recruiting metrics to optimize hiring processes and candidate quality

Qualifications

Technical Recruiting Experience

• 4+ years of technical recruiting experience, preferably in software engineering, AI/ML, or cybersecurity roles

• Track record of recruiting full-stack engineers, backend developers, and AI/ML engineers

• Experience recruiting for roles requiring specific programming languages (Go, Python, React.js, TypeScript)

• Understanding of technical concepts including APIs, databases, cloud platforms, and software architecture

• Ability to assess technical candidates' skills through structured interviews and technical discussions

Security & Defense Recruiting

• Experience recruiting for positions requiring security clearances (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI preferred)

• Understanding of defense contractor hiring practices and compliance requirements

• Knowledge of U.S. citizenship and security clearance eligibility requirements

• Experience with extended hiring timelines typical in defense and government contracting

Core Recruiting Skills

• Strong sourcing abilities using LinkedIn, GitHub, Stack Overflow, and other technical platforms

• Experience configuring applicant tracking systems and recruiting technology tools

• Strong negotiation skills for technical compensation packages

Education

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent practical experience

Security Requirements

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance

Distinguishing Qualifications

• Previous experience recruiting for defense contractors or technology companies

• Technical background or degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

• Experience recruiting for AI/ML roles, graph database specialists, or cybersecurity positions

• Active security clearance (Secret or above)

• Understanding of agile development methodologies and modern software engineering practices