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Principal Recruiter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As a Principal, Recruiter - Technology at Cotality, you will be behind our efforts to acquire game-changing engineering and technology talent. We are looking for a consultative full cycle, talent ...

As a Principal, Recruiter - Technology at Cotality, you will be behind our efforts to acquire game-changing engineering and technology talent. We are looking for a consultative full cycle, talent ...

To help us do this, we're looking for a mission-driven and passionate Principal Recruiter to partner with our CEO and take ownership of our sourcing strategy and recruiting engine. This is a unique ...

To help us do this, we're looking for a mission-driven and passionate Principal Recruiter to partner with our CEO and take ownership of our sourcing strategy and recruiting engine. This is a unique ...

To help us do this, we're looking for a mission-driven and passionate Principal Recruiter to partner with our CEO and take ownership of our sourcing strategy and recruiting engine. This is a unique ...

Partner closely with AeroVect's founders, principal recruiter and operations team to understand hiring objectives and align sourcing strategies. * Consistently generate a strong pipeline of high ...

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Principal Recruiter information

See salary details

$36.5K

$109.4K

$182K

How much do principal recruiter jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal recruiter in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Principal Recruiters?

Principal Recruiters are senior-level talent acquisition professionals responsible for leading recruitment strategies, sourcing top talent, and often mentoring junior recruiters. They typically handle high-priority or executive-level searches and collaborate closely with business leaders to understand hiring needs. Principal Recruiters play a key role in shaping an organization’s recruiting processes and employer branding, ensuring the company attracts and retains the best candidates.

How does a Principal Recruiter typically collaborate with hiring managers and executive leadership during the recruitment process?

As a Principal Recruiter, collaboration with hiring managers and executive leadership is integral to understanding strategic talent needs and aligning recruitment strategies accordingly. You will often participate in intake meetings to define role requirements, advise on market trends, and develop customized sourcing plans. Regular communication ensures that candidate profiles meet both the technical and cultural fit for the organization, and you may also coach interviewers on best practices. Building strong relationships across departments is key to driving successful hiring outcomes at this senior level.

What is the difference between Principal Recruiter vs Senior Recruiter?

AspectPrincipal RecruiterSenior Recruiter
CredentialsTypically requires 5+ years of recruiting experience, industry certifications (e.g., AIRS, SHRM), and strong leadership skillsUsually 3-5 years of recruiting experience, relevant certifications, and proven sourcing abilities
Work EnvironmentLeads large or complex recruiting projects, mentors junior staff, and collaborates with hiring managers at strategic levelsHandles full-cycle recruiting for specific roles, supports team efforts, and maintains candidate pipelines
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly found in large organizations, staffing agencies, and corporate HR departmentsWidely used across industries, especially in corporate recruiting teams and staffing firms

The Principal Recruiter typically has more experience, handles complex recruiting initiatives, and provides leadership within the recruiting team. In contrast, the Senior Recruiter focuses on executing recruiting processes for specific roles and supporting team activities. Both roles are essential but differ mainly in scope, responsibility, and strategic involvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Recruiter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Recruiter, you need deep expertise in talent acquisition, sourcing strategies, interview techniques, and typically several years of recruiting experience. Familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS), HR analytics tools, and relevant certifications like SHRM or AIRS are often expected. Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills help Principal Recruiters stand out. These competencies are crucial for attracting top talent, driving hiring initiatives, and aligning recruitment processes with organizational goals.
More about Principal Recruiter jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Recruiter jobs? Cities with the most Principal Recruiter job openings:
What states have the most Principal Recruiter jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Recruiter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Principal Recruiter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Recruiter jobs are:
Infographic showing various Principal Recruiter job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.
Principal Recruiter - Engineering

Principal Recruiter - Engineering

Clark Pacific

West Sacramento, CA • On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 14 days ago


Clark Pacific rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Clark Pacific has been a leading manufacturer of prefabricated building systems for over 63 years. We are transforming design and construction by delivering high-quality, cost-effective buildings with less risk. With over five decades of proven experience and industry-leading products, we breathe new life into construction with a smarter, more efficient path from design to project completion.
To help us continue our mission to advance industrialized construction innovations and products for a safer, more sustainable, and predictable building environment, we are seeking an experienced Principal Recruiter - Engineering to join our team.
This is a full-time onsite role at Clark Pacific corporate headquarters located in West Sacramento, California.
Role Snapshot
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Principal Recruiter to lead senior-level and niche hiring across our civil and structural engineering organization. In this role, you'll be a trusted talent advisor to executive leadership, drive full-cycle recruiting for senior level engineering roles, and architect scalable sourcing and hiring strategies that helps Clark Pacific continue to reach a high bar of civil and structural engineering talent.
  • Serve as a strategic recruiting partner to engineering leadership-bringing market insights and influencing talent decisions
  • Own full cycle recruitment for high impact civil and structural engineering roles
  • Build and execute sophisticated sourcing strategies that engage passive, high caliber engineering talent and strengthen our long-term pipeline caliber of engineering talent and strengthen our long term pipeline
  • Develop and maintain deep expertise in engineering talent markets, staying ahead of trends, competitive intelligence, and shifts in talent availability

This is a high-impact, visible position ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced, innovative environments and is passionate about building world-class civil and structural engineering teams.
What You'll Do
  • Serve as a senior-level recruiting partner to engineering leadership, influence talent decisions with market intelligence and insights; coach leaders on interview, selection and offer strategies
  • Own full cycle recruitment for high impact civil and structural engineering roles cycle recruitment for high impact civil and structural engineering roles cycle recruitment for high impact civil and structural engineering roles
  • Build and execute sophisticated sourcing strategies to engage passive, high-caliber engineering talent; conduct market mapping to proactively build a strong, high caliber talent pipeline
  • Develop deep expertise to remain current with market trends, talent availability, and competitive intelligence
  • Lead hiring strategy meetings, calibrations, and debriefs with executives and engineering leadership
  • Create and drive inclusive hiring practices that support diversity and equitable evaluation processes; ensure a superior candidate experience throughout the engagement process
  • Act as a mentor and coach to other team members
  • Partner with other members of the HR team on offer design and organizational planning
  • Track and report on pipeline health, hiring metrics, and market insights
  • Represent the company as a brand ambassador at industry events

What You Bring
  • 8+ years of full-cycle technical recruiting experience, preferably civil and structural engineers
  • Proven ability to develop and execute complex sourcing strategies for hard-to-fill technical roles
  • Strong business acumen with experience influencing executive stakeholders
  • Demonstrated success hiring in competitive engineering markets
  • Excellent storytelling, negotiation, and communication skills
  • Ability to analyze data and drive decisions using insights

Our Core Values
  • Determination: Meet challenges head on
  • Innovation: Always look for better
  • Well-Being: Seek the success, health, and happiness of all

Our Approach to Sustainability
Our sustainability plan embodies considerations for our impact on people, the environment, and the economy. At Clark Pacific we understand that sustainability requires a holistic approach throughout everything we do. Because we are a company that believes in being a force for good, Clark Pacific will also lead sustainability efforts by doing so with purpose.
What We Offer
  • Collaborative, safety-driven engineering culture where teams innovate to advance industrialized construction
  • Career and professional development opportunities
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, including Kaiser and VSP options (subject to a waiting period)
  • Medical FSA
  • Dependent Care FSA
  • Employer-paid life insurance
  • Voluntary ancillary benefits which include Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, and Whole Life Insurance
  • 401k savings with company match: 100 percent of the first 3 percent, then 50 percent of the next 2 percent

Compensation
The total compensation for this position is $110,000 - $140,000 USD. Base pay will be determined based on an individual's qualifications, experience, location and other job-related factors. Base pay is one component of Clark Pacific's Total Rewards program, which is intended to compensate and recognize team members for their contributions to our success.
Apply today and begin the journey with Clark Pacific. Let's do great things together.
Clark Pacific is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.