For candidates

For AI, ML and data engineers who want the right next move — not just another recruiter call.

We work with engineers building production AI systems, ML platforms, GenAI products, data pipelines and applied AI capability across Australia. Conversations are free, confidential and practical. We only put roles in front of you when they make sense for your skills, goals and market value.

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Why Work With Us

The HeadHunted AI Difference

We've been on the other side of the desk. We know what it feels like when a recruiter doesn't understand your stack, sends roles that miss by a mile, or ghosts you after an interview.

HeadHunted AI was built to do the opposite. Free, confidential, technically literate. Quick to respond. Honest about the market. And we never send a job description that wasn't worth your inbox.

Here's what working with us actually looks like.

No blind submissions

Your CV never goes anywhere without your approval. No exceptions. Your current employer never finds out from us.

No vague roles

We explain the team, project, stack, hiring manager, interview process and what may be difficult about the role. No surprises after offer.

A real market read

We talk through rates, salary bands, demand, role types, hiring speed and where your profile is strongest. Honest, even when the answer is not what you want.

Proper interview prep

We brief you on the team, technical bar, interview style and what the hiring panel is likely to assess. We have sat in that chair.

Roles We Place

Where you fit

Four AI/ML disciplines, deep networks in each. Pick the closest match — we'll talk about the rest.

01 AI Engineers (GenAI / Agents) 02 ML Engineers 03 AI / ML Leadership 04 Data Engineers 05 MLOps & Platform Engineers

Adjacent role? Tell us about it.

How we work with candidates

What working with us looks like

No black-box recruitment. Here is exactly what happens from first conversation to offer — and after.

Step 1
We understand your actual work

Not just your title. We want to know what you built, what you owned, what scale you operated at and what kind of problems you want next.
Step 2 — same call
We give you a market read

Rates, salary bands, demand, role types, hiring speed and where your profile is strongest. Honest, even when the answer is not what you want to hear.
Step 3 — only when you say yes
We only introduce you with permission

Your CV never goes anywhere without your approval. No blind submissions, no exceptions. Your current employer never finds out from us.
Step 4
We prepare you properly

We brief you on the team, the technical bar, the interview style, the project context and what the hiring manager actually cares about.
Step 5 — and beyond
We stay involved after the offer

Offer negotiation, onboarding check-ins and honest support if the role is not what was promised. We do not disappear after placement.

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.

Clarify

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

Map

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

Headhunt

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

Screen

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

Shortlist

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

Close

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

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

Common questions

What candidates actually ask us

If your question is not here, ask directly — we will answer fast and honestly.

Do candidates pay anything to work with HeadHunted AI?

No. Conversations and placement support are free for candidates. Our clients pay our fee when a search results in a hire. You get market context, interview prep and negotiation support at no cost to you.

Will my current employer find out I am looking?

Not from us. Every conversation is confidential. Your CV is never sent anywhere without your explicit approval, and we never name you to potential employers until you have reviewed and accepted the role.

What if I am not actively looking but want to stay informed?

That is fine — and it describes most of the engineers we know. Have a short call, tell us what would actually be worth your time, and we will only reach out when something matches. No automated drip campaigns.

Do you only work with senior engineers?

We focus on production-grade AI, ML, MLOps and data engineering roles, which usually skew mid to senior. We do place across levels when the role fit is right. We do not gatekeep on years of experience — we look for shipped systems and ownership.

Can you help with interview prep even before a specific role?

Yes. Especially for engineers transitioning from research to applied, or from generalist software engineering to ML/AI roles. We run honest mock interviews and tell you where the gaps are. No commitment to take a role through us.

What happens if a placement does not work out?

If the role is not what was promised, we help you exit cleanly and find the next one. For our clients, every search comes with a replacement guarantee — if a candidate leaves within the first few months, we replace at no extra cost.

Open to hearing about the right role ?

Send a short note about what you have built and what you would want to build next. A CV is useful, but not required for the first conversation.

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