Our Sectors
Defence & Dual-Use
Cleared and clearable engineering and programme talent across land, sea, air, space, cyber, systems and intelligence.
Overview
Defence tech recruitment for startups. Defence startups do not just compete for engineers. They compete with the primes, with vetting timelines and with every AI company in Europe. Our founder has recruited across UK and European defence and aerospace, so we know where cleared and clearable talent sits, how to pitch a startup to engineers at the primes, and how to plan your hiring around clearance and export controls.
Roles We Hire
Security cleared recruitment for defence and dual-use startups across land, sea, air, space, cyber, systems and intelligence.
Systems, Test and Programme Leaders: systems and test engineers, programme managers and business development leaders with MoD, Bundeswehr or NATO networks.
Cleared Software and DevSecOps Engineers: C2, mission systems and secure platforms.
Embedded, Firmware and FPGA Engineers: for sensors, payloads and edge systems.
RF, EW and Communications Engineers: radar, electronic warfare and secure communications.
Robotics, Autonomy and Perception Engineers: uncrewed systems on land, at sea and in the air.
Why Defence Hiring Is Different
Cleared talent pools are small, and the best people are rarely on the market. Vetting takes months, which breaks hiring plans built on normal timelines, and export controls and nationality rules limit who can work on what, and from where. We plan your hiring around BPSS, CTC, SC and DV timelines and Germany's Ü1 to Ü3 checks. We cannot obtain or speed up clearance, which is sponsored by the employer and granted by government, but we find people who hold or can obtain the right level and keep them engaged while vetting runs.
Hiring for a Defence or Dual-Use Startup?
Book a 30-minute call. Tell us what you need to build, and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.
Fahad McCann
Founder & Director of Talent
Testimonials
What Our Candidates Say
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
Testimonials
What Our Candidates Say
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
Testimonials
What Our Candidates Say
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
"Working with Fahad was very pleasant. He helped me secure a job very quickly, and he was all very supportive throughout the process and beyond. I highly recommend Fahad as a recruiter!"
Jorge P
Senior Data Scientist & AI Engineer
"It has been great to work with Fahad to secure my next role. He has been professional, helpful and friendly in all engagements. I would highly recommend Fahad and hope to work with him again in the future."
Chris W
Defence Programme Director
"Fahad is fantastic to work with, proficient, organised and a genuinely fantastic recruiter. I thoroughly recommend to anyone to work with Fahad."
Sathish G
Senior Software Safety Assurance Consultant
"Fahad has provided me with an excellent candidate experience. He was highly responsive to messages and kept me updated throughout the process. He provided a truly tailored and considerate care and ensured I was fully informed at all times."
Sara A
Leadership Director
"I have had the pleasure to work with Fahad in helping to secure me a role. He was a joy to work with, always explaining what is going. This just made the whole process very easy. He clearly cares about what he does and his clients."
Soyab N
Agile Delivery Lead
Get Started
Hiring in Defence, Space, AI or Deep Tech?
Book a 30-minute call and we will map the roles you need, the market you are hiring in and the fastest route to your next key hires.
Get Started
Hiring in Defence, Space, AI or Deep Tech?
Book a 30-minute call and we will map the roles you need, the market you are hiring in and the fastest route to your next key hires.
Get Started
Hiring in Defence, Space, AI or Deep Tech?
Book a 30-minute call and we will map the roles you need, the market you are hiring in and the fastest route to your next key hires.