Sr Talent Acquisition Manager

About the role

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the ambition to generate unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. The founding team includes two highly renowned scientists and a long-time entrepreneur who has founded several successful startups. The company is advancing laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology that is coming within reach to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply. The Senior Talent Acquisition Manager will lead talent acquisition efforts in Germany, playing a critical role in hiring exceptional talent across science, engineering, and business functions. This position will act as a strategic partner to hiring managers and the leadership team while collaborating closely with the US-based recruiting and people teams to ensure a consistent and effective global hiring approach. Fluency in both English and German is required for this role.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Own full-cycle recruitment across a range of disciplines such as science, engineering, finance, marketing, and other specialized fields.
• Partner with hiring managers to scope roles, define precise hiring needs, and guide effective hiring decisions that align with organizational goals.
• Develop and execute targeted sourcing strategies to identify and engage top talent, including passive candidates across various channels.
• Conduct initial screenings and interviews, assessing both technical skills and cultural fit to ensure candidates meet the company standard.
• Provide structured feedback and regular updates to hiring managers and key stakeholders throughout the recruitment lifecycle.
• Advise teams on current labor market trends, compensation benchmarks, and best hiring practices to support strategic decision-making.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date candidate data in the applicant tracking system (ATS) to ensure efficient talent pipeline management.
• Ensure a high-quality candidate experience throughout the entire hiring process, from initial contact to final decision.
• Represent Focused Energy at industry events, job fairs, and in employer branding initiatives to strengthen the company's presence in the talent market.
• Collaborate with the global recruiting team to share knowledge, improve processes, and align hiring efforts across different regions for consistency.
• Proactively identify hiring bottlenecks and work with stakeholders to implement solutions that improve recruitment efficiency.
• Evaluate recruitment metrics and key performance indicators to drive continuous improvement in hiring outcomes.
• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by building a pipeline of diverse candidates and ensuring fair hiring practices.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and trends in clean energy and fusion to better assess candidate expertise and potential.
• Act as a point of contact for candidates, hiring managers, and HR partners across Europe to ensure seamless communication.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in recruitment across various functions, with a heavy preference for expertise in technical and engineering roles.
• Proficient in sourcing tools and strategies, including LinkedIn Recruiter, Gem, and niche job boards to reach top talent.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust and influence across all levels of the organization.
• Comfortable managing multiple hiring processes independently and prioritizing in a dynamic setting with competing demands.
• Experience with applicant tracking systems to manage candidate data and process workflows efficiently.
• Passionate about recruiting metrics and data to drive decisions and demonstrate the impact of recruitment activities.
• Fluency in English. Fluency in German is required for effective communication with local stakeholders and candidates.
• Preferred: Experience in a fast-paced startup or high-growth environment where agility and adaptability are essential.
• Preferred: Experience in manufacturing or hardware-related industries to better assess technical roles in fusion energy.
• Preferred: Experience recruiting internationally outside of Europe to support global hiring strategies and cross-border talent acquisition.

Practical notes

The role does not specify working hours, travel requirements, visa sponsorship details, or application deadlines in the provided source material. Candidates should refer to the official application process for specific logistical information regarding the position.

Why work with Us?

• Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery that could redefine how the world generates power.
• Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you'll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career through meaningful challenges and learning experiences.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers, and professionals passionate about solving global challenges related to energy sustainability.
• Ownership: Take ownership from day one and drive impact by making decisions, solving complex recruitment challenges, and shaping the future of our company through strategic hiring initiatives.
• Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together as a team.
• Vacation Days: We support your work-life balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year to recharge and maintain wellbeing.
• Flexibility: Work should fit around your life, not the other way around. We offer the ability to work from our office in Berlin, but some flexibility to work from home is also available depending on role requirements.
• Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks, and our Darmstadt office even offers a canteen with delicious lunch options daily for those who visit.
• Retirement Plan: If you decide on a private pension plan, we will finance 20% on top of your monthly contributions, plus loyalty incentives to support your long-term financial goals.
• Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace through social and professional gatherings.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance