Talent Acquisition Specialist

Title: Talent Acquisition Specialist Primary Location: Stafford, VA (Hybrid) About Us Paradigm Max Q is redefining defense industry support. Founded in 2023, we combine elite talent, disciplined execution, and innovative thinking to deliver measurable results that improve readiness and reduce costs for the government and warfighter. As a rapidly growing SDVOSB, we are committed to operational excellence, accountability, and building a high-performing organization that delivers exceptional results for our customers. Our mission is to deliver measurable results that strengthen national defense and empower those who serve. Position Summary We are seeking a highly motivated Talent Acquisition Specialist to help attract, engage, and hire top talent supporting critical national security missions. The ideal candidate is a proactive talent acquisition professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds strong relationships with hiring managers, and is passionate about delivering an exceptional candidate experience. This role partners closely with leadership across the organization to develop recruiting strategies, identify high-quality candidates, and ensure a seamless hiring process from sourcing through onboarding. Position Summary The Talent Acquisition Specialist is responsible for full-cycle recruiting activities supporting corporate and program hiring initiatives. This position manages multiple requisitions simultaneously while developing sourcing strategies, building talent pipelines, coordinating interviews, negotiating offers, and ensuring compliance throughout the hiring process. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Talent Acquisition Manage the full recruitment lifecycle from requisition approval through onboarding. Partner with hiring managers to understand staffing needs and develop effective recruiting strategies. Source qualified candidates using job boards, professional networking platforms, employee referrals, career fairs, industry events, and direct sourcing techniques. Build and maintain pipelines of qualified candidates for current and future hiring needs. Represent the company at recruiting events, career fairs, military transition events, and networking opportunities. Conduct resume reviews and initial candidate screenings. Coordinate interviews between candidates and hiring teams. Maintain regular communication with candidates throughout the hiring process. Prepare and extend employment offers through the Applicant Tracking System and initiate approval with Human Resources. Recruitment Operations Maintain applicant tracking system (ATS) records to ensure accuracy and compliance. Prepare and distribute job postings. Track recruiting metrics including time-to-fill, source effectiveness, and candidate pipeline health. Ensure all recruitment activities comply with federal, state, and company policies. Onboarding Coordinate pre-employment requirements including background investigations, security clearance verification, and onboarding documentation. Track and maintain onboarding activities in the ATS and HRIS. Coordinate in-person and remote onboarding for all new employees. Continuous Improvement Recommend improvements to recruiting processes and candidate experience. Assist with workforce planning initiatives. Develop innovative sourcing strategies for difficult-to-fill positions. Support HR initiatives that improve employee attraction and retention. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, or related field, or equivalent experience. Three (3) or more years of full-cycle recruiting experience. Experience recruiting in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple requisitions. Exceptional attention to detail, sourcing, and relationship-building skills. Experience using applicant tracking systems and recruiting platforms. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and time management skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience recruiting within the government contracting or defense industry. Experience recruiting candidates with active security clearances. Familiarity with Department of War labor categories and contract staffing. Knowledge of federal employment laws and OFCCP compliance. Experience with iSolved Hire or similar applicant tracking systems. What Success Looks Like Within the first year, the successful candidate will: Successfully manage multiple concurrent requisitions while maintaining a high-quality candidate experience. Develop talent pipelines for key technical and cleared positions. Improve time-to-fill metrics while maintaining hiring quality. Build trusted partnerships with hiring managers across the organization. Increase recruiting efficiency through proactive sourcing and process improvements. Support the company's continued growth by attracting exceptional talent aligned with Paradigm Max Q's mission and values. Benefits Statement Paradigm Max Q provides eligible employees with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, a 401(k), paid time off, company-paid holidays, and reimbursement for a Planet Fitness Black Card membership. EEO Statement Paradigm Max Q is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. Salary Range (DMV Market): $75,000 annually–$110,000 annually Location-Based Compensation: Compensation is determined based on the employee's primary work location, applicable labor market, experience, education, certifications, security clearance, and other job-related factors. Candidates working outside the DMV may receive a different salary range consistent with local market conditions and applicable law.