Founder-led AI search · Melbourne · Australia-wide

The engineers who turn
AI ambition into production.

HeadHunted AI helps Australian companies hire AI Engineers, ML Engineers, MLOps specialists, GenAI builders and data engineers who can take work from concept to production. We help you define the role properly, map the market and reach candidates generalist recruiters usually miss.

AI Technology
Founder-led
Every search
Melbourne
AU-wide reach
5 or fewer
Per shortlist

Our network includes AI, ML and data professionals from companies such as

Sportsbet
Centurion Logistics
Neon AI
Forever New Clothing
Adairs Retail Group
Traits Insights
Medibank
Alderson Digital
Crown Resorts
Macquarie Group
The problem

Why AI hiring breaks down

Most AI hiring problems start before sourcing begins. The role is unclear, the market is misunderstood, or the screening process rewards the wrong signals.

The role is mis-scoped

An AI Engineer, ML Engineer, MLOps Engineer and Data Scientist are not interchangeable. Hiring the wrong profile can cost months.

01

The best candidates are not applying

Production-grade AI engineers are usually already employed, selectively open, and hard to reach through job ads alone.

02

Generalist screening misses the signal

A keyword match on Python, LangChain, Databricks or Kubernetes does not prove someone can ship reliable AI systems.

03

Slow processes lose the market

Senior AI candidates move quickly. If the interview loop drifts, the best people are gone before final stage.

04

HeadHunted AI was built to fix this — by a recruiter who works with AI engineers and hiring managers every week.

Role clarity

Most AI hiring mistakes start with the wrong job title.

A GenAI Engineer, ML Engineer, Data Scientist and MLOps Engineer may all use Python, but they solve different problems. We help you define the right profile before going to market.

GenAI applications

Agent / GenAI Engineer

Builds LLM applications, RAG systems, agents, tool-calling workflows, evaluation layers and production guardrails.

01
Models in production

ML Engineer

Moves models into production and owns performance, deployment, reliability and improvement loops.

02
Reliable ML infrastructure

MLOps / ML Platform Engineer

Builds the platform, pipelines, monitoring and release process that makes ML reliable.

03
Data foundations for AI

Data Engineer

Builds the data foundations, pipelines and platforms that make AI and ML systems possible.

04
Our Services

Flexible Hiring Models for AI Teams

Whether you need one contractor tomorrow or a full team over the quarter, we have a model that fits.

Contract Day-rate engagement

AI Contractor Search

For urgent delivery gaps, project-based capability or specialist AI work where permanent headcount is too slow.

  • Fast access to pre-qualified contractors
  • Clear day-rate and margin structure
  • Payroll, onboarding and contractor care support
  • Practical advice on rate, availability and close risk
Brief us on a contract role
Most Popular
Permanent Success-fee model

Permanent AI & Data Hiring

For companies building long-term AI, ML and data capability — core engineering hires, platform roles and senior individual contributors.

  • Role calibration before search
  • Targeted market mapping
  • Shortlist notes with technical fit, motivation and compensation context
  • Offer management and post-placement check-ins
Brief us on a permanent role
Retained Engaged for confidential and high-impact hires

Critical & Senior Search

For senior, confidential or high-impact hires — Head of AI/ML, Principal/Staff AI Engineer, Enterprise AI Architect, Founding AI Engineer.

  • Dedicated search plan
  • Agreed target market
  • Weekly progress visibility
  • Deeper candidate engagement
  • Structured shortlist and close support
Brief us on a senior search
Daniel Kim, Founder of HeadHunted AI
Founder
Daniel Kim
Hiring AI talent across Australia · DK to most
Why HeadHunted AI

Specialist scope. Not every role in tech.

"Companies wanted AI capability, but the hiring process often blurred together Data Scientists, ML Engineers, AI Engineers, MLOps specialists and Data Engineers. That lack of role clarity leads to weak shortlists, slow processes and expensive mismatches. HeadHunted AI exists to bring sharper market judgement to AI hiring."

— Daniel Kim, Founder
01

Specialist scope

We focus on the roles behind modern AI capability — AI Engineers, ML Engineers, MLOps specialists, Data Engineers and applied AI leaders.

02

Role clarity before search

We pressure-test the role, title, budget and seniority. If the brief is mis-scoped we will say so before sourcing starts.

03

Shortlist quality over CV volume

Fewer, stronger candidates with clear notes on why they are relevant and where the gaps are.

Five or fewer
Candidates per shortlist
Founder-led
Every search
How we work

Shortlist quality over CV volume.

Every search starts with role clarity, market mapping and a clear view of what good looks like. The aim is not to flood your inbox — it is to send candidates we have built long-term relationships with, so you can genuinely assess.

1

Clarify

Pressure-test the role, title, budget, seniority and must-have experience. If the brief is mis-scoped, we say so before sourcing starts.

2

Map

Identify where the relevant AI, ML and data talent actually sits in the Australian market — not just who is applying through job ads.

3

Headhunt

Engage hard-to-reach candidates with a role that makes sense for their background. Long-term relationships matter here.

4

Screen

Assess for production ownership, technical context, motivation, salary or rate fit and close risk. We look for shipped systems, not keyword matches.

5

Shortlist

Send fewer, stronger candidates with clear notes on why they are relevant, where the strengths are and any gaps to be aware of.

6

Close

Manage interview momentum, feedback, offer, counter-offers, notice periods and onboarding risk.

Initial shortlist (aligned candidates in-market): 24-48h
Recent search examples

Anonymised examples from the last 12 months

Specific roles we have run searches on. Names withheld for confidentiality.

01
Lead AI Engineer
Production GenAI / agentic systems — Melbourne enterprise
Permanent
02
MLOps Engineer
AWS / Databricks / production ML workflows
Contract
03
Principal Data Engineer
Data platform and AI enablement — scaleup
Permanent
04
Enterprise AI Architect
AI patterns, governance and delivery frameworks
Retained

Names withheld for confidentiality. Examples representative of search work from the last 12 months.

What people say

Trusted by AI professionals.

6,000+AI engineers in network
24hShortlist delivery
"I wholeheartedly recommend DK for his exceptional recruitment services! He played a pivotal role in helping me land my current role. DK demonstrated a keen eye for talent and took the time to explain the role in a way that resonated with me. His ability to move the interview process swiftly while ensuring I had all the necessary information was impressive."
Malan Evans
Malan Evans
ML/AI Engineer | Data Enthusiast | LLM Solution Developer

Need AI talent without wasting weeks on the wrong profiles ?

Tell us what you are building, where the capability gap is, and what kind of engineer you think you need. We will help you pressure-test the brief and map the fastest path to a credible shortlist.