Embedded Recruitment and Specialist Technical Search for Deep Tech, Robotics and AI Infrastructure companies.
25+ years filling hard engineering roles. I can work inside your team, on-site, hybrid or remote, or run specialist searches from outside it. Both are priced competitively against traditional agencies.
The challenge
CloudNC needed additional recruitment capacity to…
The approach
I mapped relevant companies and specialist talent…
The result
Over an engagement that ran to January 2026, I delivered 15 hires: eight Senior and Principal C++ Software Engineers, two Software Engineering Managers, two Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineers, a Senior Operations Researcher (C++ optimisation modelling), a Principal Computational Geometry Engineer and a full stack developer.
SERVICE 01
Your In-House Technical Recruitment Partner
I work inside your team, full or part time, alongside an existing Talent team or directly with founders and engineering leaders. I can run the hiring process end to end through to the start date, or just the parts you want covered. I add recruitment capacity for a hiring ramp without you taking on permanent headcount before you’re ready, and scale up or down as your plans change. When you have three or more roles to fill in a short window, it can cost well below the equivalent agency fees. Agreed cost basis, no placement fees.
SERVICE 02
Specialist Technical Search
I run specialist searches for one or more hard hires from outside your team. I handle everything through to the start date, from interview arrangements to offer negotiation and the notice period, and check in with the hire once they’ve started. A competitive fixed fee is agreed up front around the scope, set below typical agency fees. No ongoing commitment.
I work with founders, engineering leaders and Talent teams in Deep Tech, Robotics and AI Infrastructure, particularly where specialist talent is scarce and hiring needs direct research and headhunting.
Founders making an important early hire
You need someone with an unusual combination of technical skills, but have limited time and budget to find them. I can manage an individual search, with fixed or percentage fees agreed around the requirement, without an ongoing recruitment commitment.
Engineering leaders building a team
You have several demanding roles to fill while keeping engineering delivery on track. I can work as part of your team, full or part time, taking ownership of recruitment and working directly with you to define requirements and assess candidates.
Talent teams needing specialist support
Your team is managing a hiring ramp or difficult searches in small technical talent pools. I can add experienced recruitment capacity or take ownership of specific searches, working alongside your existing team.
Who I help
Areas of Expertise
My focus is Deep Tech, Robotics and AI Infrastructure companies, drawing on experience across the technical disciplines below.
I fill hard-to-find engineering roles across four areas, where the talent pool is small and job ads rarely reach the right people.
Algorithms & Scientific Computing
Computational geometry, simulation and operational research, where algorithmic depth and understanding of maths and physical systems matter.
Software & Systems Engineering
Backend, full-stack, systems and embedded software, including roles where software interacts closely with hardware, plus engineering leadership.
Data Engineering
Data platforms, pipelines and backend systems supporting data-intensive products.
Cloud & AI Infrastructure
Cloud platforms, DevOps, reliability, networking and storage, with a focus on infrastructure supporting GPU computing, AI training and inference.
Trusted by Technology Teams
“Nick possesses deep market knowledge, consistently delivering elite professionals who align with our technical requirements and correspond to our core corporate values.”
Vinny Hoddinott
Head of People, CloudNC
“Nick has taken time to deeply understand the needs and requirements of our organization, team structure and company culture aspects.”
Maryia Kayser
Head of Software Development, Executive Vice President, Nexxiot AG
“His knowledge of the Software/IT market is extensive along with his attention to detail and maintaining candidate experience at the forefront of his mind.”
Lone Qvist
Sr. Director, Global Business Partnering and Talent Acquisition
Bang & Olufsen
CASE STUDY
CloudNC: Delivering Difficult Technical Hires
The challenge
CloudNC needed additional recruitment capacity to find elite technical talent for their scaling engineering divisions.
The approach
I mapped relevant companies and specialist talent pools, then directly approached people whose experience matched the requirements. Alongside technical relevance, I explored salary expectations, motivation and willingness to complete the full hiring process, including technical assessments. I worked alongside CloudNC's internal Talent team to help candidates understand the opportunity and stay engaged throughout the process.
The result
Over an engagement that ran to January 2026, I delivered 15 hires: eight Senior and Principal C++ Software Engineers, two Software Engineering Managers, two Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineers, a Senior Operations Researcher (C++ optimisation modelling), a Principal Computational Geometry Engineer and a full-stack developer.
“Nick has an excellent grasp of the market and was able to source candidates with the right technical and cultural background.”
Vinny Hoddinott
Head of People, CloudNC
September 2023 recommendation
25+ Years Solving Technical Hiring Challenges
I’m Nick Bailey, founder of Emerging Infrastructure and a Senior Technical Recruiter with 25+ years’ experience helping technology companies hire across the UK and Europe.
My focus is on Deep Tech start-ups and growing businesses, including Robotics and AI Infrastructure, particularly where software meets maths, physics or physical systems and the relevant talent pool is small.
I research specialist talent pools and directly approach people with relevant experience. When speaking with candidates, I explore what they personally contributed, the difficult problems they encountered and the decisions they made. That helps me distinguish relevant experience from a convincing description, and give hiring managers a clearer view of why someone is worth interviewing. Throughout the process, I keep checking suitability, interest and practical fit, raising concerns early with hiring managers and keeping candidates informed with honest feedback, whatever the outcome.
I handle everything through to the start date, from interview arrangements to offer negotiation and the notice period, then check in with the candidate once they’ve started so a small team doesn’t have to run the process on top of the day job.
I only work with a handful of teams at a time so you deal with me directly throughout, and if we work together embedded full time I work for you exclusively.
Let’s Talk
Need additional recruitment capacity or help with a difficult technical hire? Let’s discuss whether a technical recruiter working as part of your team, full or part time, or an individual search would suit your hiring plans and budget.
nick.bailey@eilrecruit.com
UK and Europe