Founding Recruiter

About LanceDB

LanceDB is an open-source, developer-centric data lake tailored for multimodal AI applications. It offers hyper-scalable vector search and advanced retrieval techniques to support RAG, streaming training data, and interactive analysis of large-scale AI datasets. Trusted by companies such as Midjourney and Harvey, LanceDB serves as the foundational platform for building production-grade AI applications, featuring the Lance columnar format. The company is pioneering the multimodal lakehouse for AI to empower the future of AI development.

Role Summary

As the founding recruiter at LanceDB, you will play a critical role in expanding the team by establishing and refining the recruitment processes. Collaborating closely with the founders and leadership team, you will set the hiring strategy, attract exceptional talent, and manage the full-cycle recruitment. You will oversee the recruitment infrastructure, define a candidate-focused hiring system, and execute high-impact hiring initiatives across diverse roles including engineering, product, sales, marketing, and more. Since LanceDB operates as a remote-first company growing across the US and internationally, you will contribute to shaping hiring practices that accommodate different time zones and cultures. This position offers the chance to build a world-class hiring function and influence the culture of a fast-growing, open-source-first startup.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, refine, and enhance the entire hiring process for technical and go-to-market positions, spanning candidate sourcing, screening, and closing.
• Manage and optimize LanceDB's recruiting tools and platforms including applicant tracking systems and AI-based recruiting technologies.
• Ensure an outstanding candidate experience throughout the hiring journey, maintaining speed, consistency, and a strong representation of the LanceDB brand across multiple time zones.
• Recruit for complex technical roles such as systems and database engineers (including roles using Rust), alongside roles in sales, marketing, developer relations, and customer success.
• Collaborate closely with hiring managers to tailor role descriptions, define job requirements, and establish a standardized, function-specific interview process.
• Actively source candidates through direct outreach, employee referrals, open-source communities, hackathons, and industry networking events.

Candidate Profile and Qualifications

• Over eight years of experience in recruitment, preferably with a focus on fast-paced startup environments or technical companies.
• Proven history of building and streamlining recruiting frameworks from their inception, with a focus on operational efficiency.
• Expertise in managing and enhancing applicant tracking systems and AI-driven recruitment tools.
• Demonstrated ability to devise innovative talent sourcing strategies and successfully close top-tier candidates in both technical and go-to-market roles.
• Strong commitment to delivering a candidate-friendly recruitment process that is efficient and high impact.
• Data-oriented approach to recruitment, utilizing analytics to improve hiring results.
• Experience recruiting for highly specialized technical roles such as infrastructure and database engineering, alongside sales and marketing positions.
• Comfort working with remote-first, distributed teams and familiarity with international or multi-country hiring processes as the company scales globally is advantageous.
• Passion for the startup ecosystem and ability to excel in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively conveying LanceDB’s mission and vision to prospective employees.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Bonus: Knowledge of AI/ML, data infrastructure, or developer tools domains is a plus.