Sampat (Sam ) Kumar

Results-driven Senior Technical Recruiter with 12+ years of experience hiring for Specializing in sourcing and recruiting top-tier engineering talent for high-growth startups from Series A to E and enterprise clients across AI/ML, SaaS, Cloud Security, Cyber Security, Data Science, Product and Engineering teams. Skilled at building data-driven sourcing strategies, optimizing full-cycle recruitment, and scaling teams across technical disciplines. Recognized for delivering exceptional candidate experiences and exceeding ambitious hiring goals in fast-paced, startup-like environments. I'm known for an assertive, high-velocity recruiting style paired with a calm, steady communication approach that helps candidates and hiring teams feel comfortable and informed throughout the process. I am passionate about using technology and talent strategy to accelerate innovation and organizational growth. I specialize in building recruiting functions from the ground up for early-stage startups. At the 0→1 stage, I've helped founders define their first hiring roadmap, design interview processes, and implement scalable recruiting systems that grow with the company. I've introduced ATS tools, built sourcing automation for niche roles (Web3, AI/ML, and Product), and trained hiring managers on structured interviews to reduce time-to-hire. My approach blends data-driven sourcing with high-touch candidate engagement-ensuring every early hire strengthens both the culture and product velocity. I enjoy working directly with founders and engineering leaders to transform an ad-hoc hiring process into a repeatable, high-performing talent engine.