Defense Tech Executive & Cleared Talent Recruiting
You are who you hire.
Waymaker partners with defense technology companies to place executive and technical talent who actually ship mission-critical capabilities-not just fill seats.
Why Waymaker
Defense-tech recruiting by people who've built in defense-tech.
We combine 13+ years of deep tech recruiting with a decade of Marine Corps leadership building modern software for the services. That means we speak both languages-modern engineering and mission-when we evaluate talent for you.
Talent in motion
Security Architect
Data Engineer Lead
Systems Engineer
DevOps Lead
Technical PM
Cloud Architect
Backend Engineer
Infrastructure Lead
VP Engineering
Head Of Product
Cleared AI/ML Lead
Senior ML Engineer
400+
ROLES FILLED
23y
COMBINED EXPERIENCE
12
APPS UNDER OVERSIGHT
Roles we fill
From boardroom strategy to deployed systems.
How it works
A clear, rigorous hiring pipeline.
Align & Engage
We align on your mission, roles, and success criteria.
- Sign a master service agreement (MSA) or Executive Retained Search Agreement.
- Clarify hiring priorities, roles, and success criteria.
- Agree on cadence, decision-makers, and communication channels.
Days 0–3
Search & Evaluate
We source, grade, and present a high-signal slate of candidates.
- Activate existing network and specialized recruiting software.
- Source, screen, and shortlist candidates against agreed criteria.
- Deliver a curated slate with clear notes and recommendations.
Weeks 1–3
Hire & Onboard
We drive the process through interviews, offers, and start date.
- Coordinate interviews and feedback loops with hiring managers.
- Manage offers, negotiation, and closing.
- Support a smooth handoff into your team and future hiring.
Weeks 3–6+
Align & Engage
We align on your mission, roles, and success criteria.
- Sign a master service agreement (MSA) or Executive Retained Search Agreement.
- Clarify hiring priorities, roles, and success criteria.
- Agree on cadence, decision-makers, and communication channels.
Days 0–3
Search & Evaluate
We source, grade, and present a high-signal slate of candidates.
- Activate existing network and specialized recruiting software.
- Source, screen, and shortlist candidates against agreed criteria.
- Deliver a curated slate with clear notes and recommendations.
Weeks 1–3
Hire & Onboard
We drive the process through interviews, offers, and start date.
- Coordinate interviews and feedback loops with hiring managers.
- Manage offers, negotiation, and closing.
- Support a smooth handoff into your team and future hiring.
Weeks 3–6+
Founders
Led by people who understand both worlds.
Matt Robinson
CO-FOUNDER
USMC officer & defense tech leader
Ben Robinson
CO-FOUNDER
13+ years in tech recruiting
Matt Robinson
CO-FOUNDER
USMC officer & defense tech leader
10 years as a Marine Corps infantry officer, with a focus on defense technology in the last six. Deputy Director helping stand up the Marine Corps Software Factory in Austin, overseeing 12 applications across the services. Master's in Modeling & Simulation and a Finance degree.
Ben Robinson
CO-FOUNDER
13+ years in tech recruiting
Eight-figure recruiting transactions and hundreds of engineers placed in software, data, AI/ML, QA, and DevOps across Fortune 10 enterprises and early-stage startups. Finance background.
10 years as a Marine Corps infantry officer, with a focus on defense technology in the last six. Deputy Director helping stand up the Marine Corps Software Factory in Austin, overseeing 12 applications across the services. Master's in Modeling & Simulation and a Finance degree.
Eight-figure recruiting transactions and hundreds of engineers placed in software, data, AI/ML, QA, and DevOps across Fortune 10 enterprises and early-stage startups. Finance background.
tech & defense
volume
apps overseen
Contact
Ready to hire differently?
Whether you're building your first defense tech team or scaling an existing portfolio of programs, Waymaker helps you secure the talent that moves the mission forward.
Send us a message
Or reach out directly
Matt Robinson
Co-Founder
Ben Robinson
Co-Founder