Sofar Ocean is a ocean intelligence company that operates the largest privately-owned ocean sensor network in the world, delivering real-time data and analytics to maritime, government, defense, and research customers. Their two core platforms are Spotter, a global network of solar-powered buoys and sensing devices that measure waves, wind, weather, sound, currents, temperature, water quality, and water level, and Wayfinder, a voyage optimization software that helps shipping operators reduce fuel consumption and emissions by recommending optimal routes, speeds, and schedules based on live maritime weather data and vessel performance models. The company generates over 1.5 million real-time ocean observations per day from more than 2,500 deployed Spotters worldwide, providing ground-truth data trusted by NOAA, the U.S. Navy, and major commercial shipping fleets. Sofar Ocean's mission is centered on building a comprehensive data layer for the ocean to improve safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship across maritime industries. Their Wayfinder platform delivers an average fuel reduction of 4 to 8 percent per voyage, directly translating into lower greenhouse gas emissions for commercial shipping, one of the world's largest industrial carbon emitters. By combining proprietary sensor infrastructure with advanced weather modeling, Sofar claims forecasts that are 50 percent more accurate than traditional models, enabling better preparation for extreme weather events and protection of maritime assets. What distinguishes Sofar Ocean is its vertically integrated approach: the company owns and operates its own sensor network, runs its own intelligence models, and delivers end-to-end solutions from raw ocean data collection to actionable voyage guidance. This positions them uniquely at the intersection of climate resilience, maritime efficiency, and ocean science, serving a diverse customer base that includes shipping companies, governments, coral reef researchers, and defense agencies seeking live, hyperlocal ocean intelligence at a global scale.

About Sofar Ocean

Sofar Ocean is building the world's largest real-time ocean sensor network. Our Spotter buoys collect ocean data across the globe, and our software, including Wayfinder for voyage optimization, turns that data into decisions for commercial shipping, government, and defense customers. We're a team of about 100 based at Pier 28 in San Francisco, and we're growing fast.

About the role

We're hiring our first in-house Sourcing Partner to build the top of our hiring funnel. You'll own finding and engaging the people we need to hit our growth plans, with a focus on hard-to-find talent: security-cleared engineers, government-facing technical roles, and sales hires who can open new markets.

You'll report to the Head of People and work directly with hiring managers across engineering, product, and sales. This is a high-ownership role on a lean team. You'll have real influence over how we source, what tools we use, and how we measure success.

What you'll do

• Partner with hiring managers at kickoff to define the profile, target companies, and must-have signals for each role

• Source and engage passive candidates through LinkedIn Recruiter, Ashby, Metaview, referrals, communities, and creative channels

• Write outreach that gets replies, and keep testing what works

• Build talent pipelines for recurring and hard-to-fill roles, including cleared and defense-adjacent engineering

• Run initial screens and hand off qualified candidates with clear notes

• Keep Ashby data clean and report weekly on pipeline health, response rates, and source quality

• Help shape our sourcing playbook and tooling, including AI-assisted sourcing as we build it out

What you bring

• 5+ years of sourcing or full-cycle recruiting experience, ideally at a startup

• A track record of filling technical roles, with engineering sourcing and GTM as core strengths

• Strong Boolean and LinkedIn Recruiter skills, plus comfort finding talent beyond LinkedIn

• Experience with Ashby or a similar ATS, and a habit of keeping data clean

• Clear, warm writing that makes candidates want to talk to us

• An outgoing, curious approach to meeting people and building relationships

• Comfort working independently on a small team and managing many open roles at once

Nice to have

• Experience sourcing go-to-market roles, especially enterprise sales

• Experience sourcing security-cleared candidates or recruiting for defense or government programs

• Familiarity with ITAR and export-control hiring requirements

• Background in hardware, maritime, climate tech, or deep tech

• Interest in using AI tools to scale sourcing

Location, compensation, and benefits

The preference is for this role is based at our Pier 28 office in San Francisco a few days a week to work seamlessly with our hiring mangers however we are open to remote applicants.

The base salary range for this role is $130,000 to $160,000, plus equity. Final pay depends on experience and skills. We offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), flexible PTO, and a learning and development stipend.

Sofar Ocean is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.