Specialized AI engineering recruitment
AI engineers who turn ideas into working systems
With more than a decade of experience as a recruiting partner to some of the top companies in tech, we recognize and connect you with engineers, machine learning specialists, and data scientists who bring both technical fluency and the mindset needed to apply AI in real-world environments.
Why AI expertise matters in tech
AI roles require more than building models. They involve working with evolving data, adapting to new tools, and integrating intelligence into products in ways that are reliable and scalable. In tech, where AI capabilities are advancing quickly, strong AI talent helps teams move from experimentation to production confidently.
RECRUITING SERVICES FOR AI ENGINEERING ROLES
AI engineering roles we fill
As an AI recruitment specialist, we have extensive networks of proven AI engineering professionals across a range of roles, including:
AI and machine learning leadership
- Head of AI
- Director of AI
- Director of machine learning
- AI engineering manager
- Machine learning engineering manager
AI and machine learning (ML) engineering
- Senior machine learning engineer
- Machine learning engineer
- Senior AI engineer
- AI engineer
- Applied AI engineer
AI infrastructure and MLOps
- MLOps engineer
- Machine learning operations engineer
- AI platform engineer
- AI infrastructure engineer
- Model deployment engineer
Data and AI engineering
- Data engineer (AI/ML-focused)
- Data and AI engineer
- Feature engineering specialist
AI research and applied science
- Applied scientist
- Machine learning researcher
- AI researcher
- Research scientist (AI/ML)
Specialized engineering roles
- NLP engineer
- Computer vision engineer
- Conversational AI engineer
Client spotlight
Microsoft Research Amplify team
Microsoft Research needed expert creative, marketing, and events support to help showcase their cutting-edge research projects. 2A Works recruited exceptional contractors experienced in transforming complex technical subjects into engaging narratives.
Over time, this partnership has grown to include nearly twenty 2A consultants in roles such as content writers, video editors, graphic designers, podcast producers, event managers, and project managers.
Thanks to a longstanding collaboration, along with excellent benefits and ongoing consultant support, 2A Works has achieved exceptional retention across the team. This consistency helps our consultants create engaging, high-quality content and run seamless events that showcase innovation at Microsoft Research.
Why choose 2A Works
AI experience meets thoughtful recruiting
AI recruiting expertise
With more than a decade of tech recruiting experience, we’ve staffed AI, machine learning, and technical roles for leading technology companies. That work gives us a clear sense of what drives success in AI. And with our extensive, exceptional talent network, we can quickly connect you with the right person for the role, fast.
Consultative matchmaking
Hiring for AI roles requires more than evaluating technical skills. We take the time to understand your use cases, data environment, and team structure, then match you with candidates who can contribute effectively within that context. The result is a smoother hiring process and stronger, longer-term placements.
A people-first philosophy
We build strong relationships across the engineering community by treating people with care and transparency. Our reputation, industry knowledge, and candidate-first approach help us connect you with AI engineers who are selective about where they work and trust us to guide their next move. For contract roles, we also offer standout benefits that help us attract and retain top-tier talent.
A few of the clients we support
Collaboration that drives better teams
Client satisfaction
Overall experience
Agency communication
Candidate quality
Candidate diversity
Contracts extended or converted to full-time
A reliable partner with a deep understanding of our industry and hiring needs, 2A identified highly qualified candidates for our open roles and provided strong end-to-end support throughout the hiring process. The whole team truly values the partnership.
Jeremy C.
Content publishing manager, Microsoft Research
2A Works is a responsive and flexible partner, and I appreciate the level of support they provide to their consultants. It's clear they invest in the people they work with, and that commitment creates a positive experience for everyone involved. Their team is easy to work with, highly communicative, and provides experienced, high-quality talent.
Gerard M.
Partner program director, AI Business Solutions (Modern Work + Business Applications)
We were facing an uphill battle to rebrand our organization, build a net-new website, and develop a marketing strategy that would tie everything together. Our consultant from 2A Works created a plan to point us in the right direction and worked super fast to get us ready for launch.
Jennifer S.
Executive director of continuing education, Bellevue College
How it works
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1. Tell us who you need
Tell us about your team, current initiatives, and what success looks like in the role.
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2. Evaluate your short list
Review the candidates we’ve handpicked to meet your specific needs.
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3. Interview your top picks
Select who you want to talk to and we’ll coordinate the rest.
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4. Make a selection
Choose the candidate(s) who best fit your team and goals.
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5. Welcome your new teammate
Work with your new collaborator to drive impact.
Hiring?
Frequently asked questions
What makes 2A Works different from other AI recruitment agencies?
As a recruiting partner to leading tech companies for more than ten years, we’ve supported hiring across AI engineering, research, and data science teams. That experience gives us a clear understanding of how these roles function in practice and how to identify candidates who can contribute effectively within real-world environments.
What types of roles does your AI recruitment agency specialize in?
We support a range of AI and machine learning roles, including AI engineers, machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI researchers. We work across both individual contributor and leadership positions, depending on your team’s needs.
How does your AI recruitment specialist evaluate engineering candidates before sharing them?
We assess candidates based on their experience, communication, and alignment with the role. For engineering positions, we also look at how candidates approach problem-solving, structure their work, and explain technical decisions. This helps ensure candidates can engage effectively in technical discussions and contribute within your team. Upon request, we can also conduct technical assessments.
Do you offer both staffing and recruitment services?
Yes. We offer flexible contract staffing for short- and long-term needs, as well as direct hire recruiting for full-time roles. Whether you’re filling a short-term gap or building a long-term team, we can tailor our approach to fit your goals.
What are the benefits of working with a specialized AI recruiter instead of a general recruitment agency?
We’ve spent more than a decade recruiting for roles across the tech industry, and we hire for our own internal agency as well. That gives us a nuanced understanding of the skills, team dynamics, and evolving tools that matter in this field.
Can your recruiters help fill leadership roles?
Yes. We support leadership hiring across AI and machine learning, including roles such as Head of AI, Director of Machine Learning, and other senior positions. We tailor our approach to leadership searches with additional consultation, careful scoping, and a targeted outreach strategy.
How fast can your recruitment company fill open roles?
Once we’ve aligned on the role and requirements, we typically present a shortlist of vetted candidates within two to 10 days. Timelines can vary based on role complexity and your internal hiring process.
What’s your replacement policy if a hire doesn’t work out?
If a placed candidate leaves or is not a fit within the first 90 days, we’ll replace them at no additional cost. You’ll continue working with the same recruiter to ensure consistency and a smooth handoff.
How does your recruitment agency vet AI candidates before shortlisting them for open client roles?
All shortlisted candidates are phone screened by our experienced recruiters to confirm their skills, background, communication abilities, and fit for the role. For AI positions, we focus on how candidates approach problem-solving, technical decision-making, and working within complex systems.
How does 2A Works recruit diverse talent?
We take a thoughtful, proactive approach to building diverse teams. That includes writing inclusive job descriptions, sourcing from diverse candidate networks, and actively reviewing our process to reduce bias. We also build long-term relationships with professionals from underrepresented backgrounds to expand access and representation across our talent pool.
What information do your recruiters need to get started?
To kick off a search, we’ll need details about the role’s responsibilities, required experience, target compensation, and whether it’s remote, hybrid, or in-person. We also work to understand your team’s workflow, brand voice, and goals, because the more context we have, the better equipped we are to find the right fit.