Senior Recruiter

About the role

Monumental is constructing a new paradigm for the built environment, focusing on automating on-site construction through integrated robotics and software to enable unique, software-defined buildings assembled in a single day. This role owns the most challenging hiring mandates in engineering and technology, requiring independent judgment to assess character, capability, and cultural contribution without standard playbooks. You will operate with significant autonomy as a strategic partner to founders and hiring managers, defining excellence for each unique role and establishing a repeatable process for identifying top-tier technical talent. Success is defined by your ability to source from unconventional channels, evaluate raw skill and intellectual drive, and build teams aligned with Monumental's precision and autonomy standards. The position demands direct collaboration with technical leaders to archetype success for every role while optimizing the candidate experience through clear communication and professionalism. You will diagnose weaknesses in the current hiring system and implement targeted improvements, balancing internal processes with external support where needed. This is a foundational opportunity to solve significant problems in construction efficiency alongside a founding team shaping the culture of a scaling enterprise.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Drive the end-to-end lifecycle for hard-to-fill positions in engineering and technology, taking full ownership of outcomes in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment.
• Create sourcing strategies that bypass conventional channels by targeting personal portfolios, open-source repositories, academic publications, and niche online communities.
• Design and implement evaluation processes that assess raw skill and intellectual drive, moving beyond standard credential checks to identify technical excellence.
• Define the archetype of success for each role through deep collaboration with technical leaders, translating abstract needs into concrete hiring criteria.
• Engage directly with candidates to build rapport, provide clarity about Monumental's demanding environment, and act as an advocate for their journey.
• Optimize the hiring experience by ensuring transparency and professionalism from initial contact through offer acceptance, maintaining a high standard of communication.
• Diagnose inefficiencies in the current hiring system and execute improvements, determining the right balance between internal workflows and external support.
• Assess character and capability with a high bar for quality, delaying timelines when necessary to maintain standards and align with the company's precision-driven mission.
• Interpret complex technical subjects without requiring hands-on building expertise, enabling meaningful dialogue with specialized candidates.
• Leverage tools such as Ashby, LinkedIn, and GitHub to manage pipelines, while utilizing platforms like Discord, Substack, and YouTube for community engagement and sourcing.
• Operate effectively in fast-paced, venture-funded settings, staying close to product execution and understanding the constraints of hard-tech roles.
• Demonstrate creativity in staffing strategies, applying innovative approaches to secure talent that meets Monumental's rigorous standards for autonomy and precision.
• Collaborate onsite five days a week in Amsterdam, supporting the workshop and testing floor where rapid iteration of robotic systems occurs.
• Contribute to establishing the culture and standards of a growing enterprise, helping shape how the organization scales its talent strategy.

Requirements

• Proven track record of closing difficult technical positions in hardware, robotics, or deep technology, demonstrating consistent success in hard-to-fill roles.
• High bar for quality, with the willingness to delay timelines to maintain standards and ensure the right fit for critical positions.
• Founders must be able to trust your judgment quickly, relying on your competence, integrity, and ability to assess cultural contribution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills essential for crafting compelling outreach to highly skilled individuals in competitive markets.
• Comfortable discussing technical subjects meaningfully without needing hands-on building expertise, translating complex concepts for candidates and stakeholders.
• Experience operating in fast-paced, venture-funded environments where you work closely with product execution and understand business constraints.
• Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness in sourcing talent, using unconventional methods when standard approaches fail.
• Understanding of the specific constraints that define hard-tech roles and the strategic thinking required to staff sophisticated technical teams.
• Familiarity with the European and Dutch startup landscapes, including nuances of regional talent markets and regulatory considerations.
• Proficiency with applicant tracking systems like Ashby, using data to manage pipelines and improve hiring efficiency at scale.

Nice to have

• Experience with community engagement platforms such as Discord, Substack, and YouTube to build talent networks and employer branding.
• Ability to create custom sourcing tools using code, enhancing the efficiency and reach of recruitment efforts.
• Practical knowledge of the Amsterdam tech ecosystem, including connections to local startups, universities, and industry events.
• Proficiency in Dutch, enabling smoother daily interactions and relationship-building within the local talent pool.

Practical notes

The role requires a full-time, five-day onsite presence in Amsterdam with no travel component. The position offers a competitive total compensation package in the range of 120,000 to 150,000 euros annually. Proficiency with Ashby, LinkedIn, and GitHub is expected, along with experience using platforms like Discord, Substack, and YouTube for community engagement. The role may involve the creation of custom sourcing tools using code to support Monumental's scaling needs.