THE HIRE GOOD
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Critical SearchExecutive, technical, and production talentFractional Talent LeadershipSenior, hands-on recruiting capabilityWorkforce ReadinessFrom production demand to future talent supplyWorkforce EvidenceWhat is changing in the workIndustrial Build MapWhere demand is becoming realTraining CapacityWhere preparation happensField NotesAuthored observations and analysis
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AI-native search and workforce intelligence

Build the team you actually need.

Build the process that can recognize them.

Change the evidence. Change who becomes visible. I bring more than twenty years of search experience and a capability-first method that helps teams recognize overlooked talent and build a more useful view of the market.Change the evidence. Change who becomes visible.

See how I can help Start a conversation

Search expertise

What are you building?

Choose a domain. See the capabilities behind the work.

AI + Forward Deployed

Build where engineering meets the real world.

Roles that combine technical depth, customer context, deployment judgment, and the ability to make new systems work in messy real environments.

Capabilities I search for

Applied AIProduct engineeringForward-deployed engineeringSystems integrationCustomer deploymentLLM / application engineeringAI infrastructureTechnical GTM

Representative roles

Forward Deployed Engineer · AI Product Engineer · Applied AI Engineer · Solutions Architect · Technical Lead · Head of AI · Technical GTM Leadership
Latest field noteThe Forward Deployed EngineerThree jobs wearing one title, and why hiring one may be the easy part.Read the note

Start with the workMap the capabilityLook for evidence

Talk to Darla

The Hire Good is a Los Angeles-based executive and technical search firm working across AI and the physical economy, including physical AI, robotics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and forward-deployed engineering.

AI and Forward-Deployed Engineering recruiting

Applied AI, AI product engineering, forward-deployed engineering, systems integration, technical deployment, AI infrastructure, customer engineering, and technical leadership.

Physical AI and Robotics recruiting

Robotics engineering, perception, computer vision, controls, autonomy, simulation, embedded systems, machine learning infrastructure, technical leadership, and manufacturing scale.

Aerospace, Defense, and Space recruiting

Systems engineering, structures, propulsion, avionics, guidance navigation and control, manufacturing engineering, quality, supply chain, production leadership, and executive leadership.

Advanced Manufacturing recruiting

Automation, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, quality, CNC and machining, supply chain, operations, production systems, and plant leadership.

Emerging and Deep Tech recruiting

Quantum, energy systems, novel hardware, applied science, research engineering, technical leadership, and commercialization.

Four ways to work together

Senior Talent experience, applied where it creates the most leverage.

I work alongside founders, executives, and Talent teams, bringing search judgment, operating context, and a repeatable method for connecting business plans to human capability.

01 · Critical SearchSenior-led executive, technical, and production search, informed by more than twenty years of recruiting and a capability-first method.

02 · Fractional Talent LeadershipSenior, hands-on recruiting leadership without adding a permanent executive.

03 · Workforce ReadinessConnect production plans to future hiring, skills, training, and regional talent supply.

04 · Human Capability DiligenceBefore or after an industrial acquisition, identify expertise concentration, succession exposure, and what must be transferred.

Explore Critical Search Explore all offerings

The client artifact

The Capability Map

A reusable map connecting the business milestone, work, required capability, evidence, talent market, assessment, and development pathway.

Milestone → Work → Capability →Evidence → Market → Pathway

AI helps examine more evidence and reveal hidden patterns. Humans make the judgment.

See the model
Darla Horn holding a phone while drinking an iced coffee

Why Darla

A recruiter’s eye. An operator’s perspective.

I am soft-spoken by nature and unconventional in how I solve problems. I listen closely, notice what does not fit, and follow evidence into places a traditional search might overlook.

For most of my career, I recruited for emerging companies without the advantage of a famous employer brand. Across more than 20 years and 100 retained searches, including building Talent and People capability at JetZero. I learned to understand the work, create interest, and recognize capability beyond familiar titles and employers.

Why work with Darla

Industrial operating experience

JetZero

Earlier technology and mission-driven work

BloombergRedditMetropolisBettermentClayPrefectAutomattic

The larger mission

Helping more humans participate in the growing AI and physical economy.

Read Does Claude Dream?