Engineering & Manufacturing Recruiter at Onward Search · Fairfield

Overview: 

We are seeking a proactive, highly competitive Engineering & Manufacturing Recruiter to drive delivery and growth across our Engineering & Skilled Trades Staffing business. This role is focused on high‑volume candidate sourcing, aggressive pipeline building, and full‑cycle recruiting for manufacturing, engineering, and skilled trade roles in a fast‑moving, production‑driven environment. 

 

The ideal candidate thrives in a KPI‑heavy, commission‑oriented workflow, is obsessive about speed and efficiency, and is deeply fluent in AI‑powered recruiting tools, automation, and modern ATS ecosystems. This recruiter operates like a hunter—leveraging sourcing automation, texting platforms, and data to move faster than the market and consistently outperform traditional, tool‑light recruiters. 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Proactively source engineering, manufacturing, and skilled trade candidates using job boards, referrals, LinkedIn, texting platforms, and AI tools  

• Build and maintain a strong, active candidate pipeline in manufacturing and engineering talent markets  

• Recruit for roles including:  

• Controls / Automation Technicians 

• Machinists / CNC 

• Maintenance Technicians 

• Mechanics 

• Mechanical & Electrical Assembly 

• QA / QC Technicians 

• Welders 

• CDL Drivers 

• Forklift & General Production 

• Conduct high‑volume phone and video candidate screenings  

• Qualify candidates for skills, experience, availability, and fit  

• Discuss and negotiate pay rates with candidates  

• Manage candidates throughout interview, offer, and placement stages  

• Maintain strong candidate relationships to drive retention and redeployment  

• Leverage ATS, CRM, texting tools, AI (including CoPilot), and sourcing automation to drive speed and efficiency  

• Consistently meet or exceed KPIs related to outreach, submittals, interviews, placements, and starts 

 

Required Qualifications: 

• 3+ years of experience as a staffing agency recruiter  

• Experience recruiting engineering, manufacturing, or skilled trade roles  

• Proven success in a high‑volume, KPI‑driven environment  

• Strong comfort with recruiting technology, including:  

• ATS platforms with API integrations 

• Texting platforms 

• AI‑assisted sourcing and workflow tools 

• Comfortable with outbound phone, text, and digital outreach  

• Strong organization, time‑management, and follow‑through skills  

• Candidates from tool‑light or low‑tech staffing environments may struggle in this role  

• Bachelor’s degree preferred 

 

Salary: 

• $60,000-$65,000 (based on experience). 

• This position is commission & bonus eligible. 

• Comprehensive benefits and PTO package to include 401K also included.  

 

 

About Onward Search 

Onward Search is a nationwide provider of staffing and talent solutions.   

We own and operate multiple brands to include Onward Search (Marketing, Creative, Technology), Onward Accessibility, and Onward Search Education. In addition to staffing and recruitment, we provide consulting, training, and strategic support to many of the world’s leading brands. 

Onward Search was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Connecticut. Our company is a 5-time winner of ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Award and has received multiple awards from Glassdoor and Comparably such as “Best Companies to Work for Women.” 

 

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, and a 401(k) program for eligible full-time employees, along with resources designed to support well-being and career development. 

 

We have built a culture fostered on entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, teamwork, and transparency. If you are energized by connecting people to opportunity, excited by emerging technologies, and motivated by measurable impact, you’ll fit in great with our team. 

 

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply. 

  

Onward Search is an equal opportunity employer. We value a culture of inclusion and diversity within our workforce and are committed to maintaining a workplace free from prohibited employment conduct, including discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partner status, civil partnership, status as a covered veteran, status in the Uniformed Services of the United States, citizenship and any other characteristic protected by State and Federal law. 

  

*There is no application deadline for this posting because we are accepting applications on an ongoing basis.*