AI recruitment

Australia’s AI recruitment agency for teams that need to ship

Bluebird is built by former SaaS operators. We recruit AI engineers, machine learning specialists, AI product leads and technical leaders for high-growth companies across Australia and APAC, with a scored shortlist and a replacement guarantee on every search.

200+ placements

30+ years operating within SaaS

100% AI and SaaS focused

Trusted by

Bluebird team working through a hiring strategy

Your AI shortlist, scored and vetted

Senior ML Engineer, Head of AI, AI Product Manager. A first strong intro in about seven working days, on average.

AI and machine learning recruitment led by former SaaS operators

AI & ML recruitment by former SaaS operators

The best AI hires are rarely on job boards

The best AI hires are rarely on job boards

Strong AI engineers and machine learning specialists are mostly employed, rarely looking and approached every week. Bluebird consultants have carried the quota and run the ramp, so we know which candidates can ship models and which ones only demo well.

Map the market directly

We find strong AI engineers and machine learning specialists where they work, not on job boards.

Map the market directly

We find strong AI engineers and machine learning specialists where they work, not on job boards.

Approach the right people early

We open the right conversations before your competitors do.

Approach the right people early

We open the right conversations before your competitors do.

Test against your real brief

You get a shortlist built around your stack, your stage and the board number you need to hit, not a pile of keyword matches.

Test against your real brief

You get a shortlist built around your stack, your stage and the board number you need to hit, not a pile of keyword matches.

Two engineers working on laptops in a glass-walled office

AI-assisted, human-led

Tools widen the search. People make the call.

We use AI tooling to map talent faster and reach further. Every shortlist is still scored by a consultant who has hired for the role, because culture and commercial fit are judgement calls.

Match the hire to the problem

Four ways to add AI capability

Most teams do not need a full AI department on day one. We help you choose the right hire for your stage and roadmap, then find the person.

0

1

First hire

Land your first AI or machine learning engineer, someone who owns the stack from day one.

0

2

Scale up

Add ML engineers, MLOps and data scientists as models reach production.

0

3

Lead

Appoint a Head of AI or VP of Machine Learning to set direction.

0

4

Go to market

Hire the solutions architects, GTM engineers and sellers who take AI to customers.

Who we hire for

Built for teams adding AI to product and go-to-market

We work with founders, CTOs, CPOs and CROs at SaaS companies, AI-native start-ups, scale-ups and enterprise software teams. We read the brief, test the assumptions behind it and tell you early if a budget or timeline does not match the market.

By the numbers

7 days

To a first strong intro, on average

30+ years

Operating inside SaaS businesses

6 months

Replacement guarantee on executive search

5.0/5

On Google, across 48 verified reviews

Testimonials

What candidates
and teams say

200+ placements, 30+ years of experience operating within SaaS businesses, and a 5.0/5 Google rating across 48 reviews.

5.0/5 on Google48 Google reviews

“Fantastic communication throughout.”

Excellent experience landing my dream role with Bluebird recruitment. Was a very straightforward and easy process with fantastic communication throughout. Big thanks to Chris & the team for all of their help in what was an amazing process. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for your ideal role.

Jason Twitt★★★★★Verified Google review ·
5.0/5 on Google48 Google reviews

“Fantastic communication throughout.”

Excellent experience landing my dream role with Bluebird recruitment. Was a very straightforward and easy process with fantastic communication throughout. Big thanks to Chris & the team for all of their help in what was an amazing process. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for your ideal role.

Jason Twitt★★★★★Verified Google review ·
5.0/5 on Google48 Google reviews

“Fantastic communication throughout.”

Excellent experience landing my dream role with Bluebird recruitment. Was a very straightforward and easy process with fantastic communication throughout. Big thanks to Chris & the team for all of their help in what was an amazing process. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for your ideal role.

Jason Twitt★★★★★Verified Google review ·
  • Shift4

    “Their professionalism speaks volumes.”

    Ross Paikin

    Sales Executive · Shift4

  • MyCISO

    “Bluebird is a valued partner.”

    Dane Meah

    CEO & Co-founder · MyCISO

  • Shift4

    “Their professionalism speaks volumes.”

    Ross Paikin

    Sales Executive · Shift4

  • MyCISO

    “Bluebird is a valued partner.”

    Dane Meah

    CEO & Co-founder · MyCISO

  • Shift4

    “Their professionalism speaks volumes.”

    Ross Paikin

    Sales Executive · Shift4

  • MyCISO

    “Bluebird is a valued partner.”

    Dane Meah

    CEO & Co-founder · MyCISO

Why Bluebird

The Bluebird difference

The Bluebird difference

Operator-led search, tested candidates, speed with quality and deep Australia and APAC networks.

Operator-led search, tested candidates, speed with quality and deep Australia and APAC networks.

Industry insiders

Our consultants have lived the quota, ramp and board pressure. They know what a great AI hire looks like in SaaS.

Industry insiders

Our consultants have lived the quota, ramp and board pressure. They know what a great AI hire looks like in SaaS.

Speed with quality

A scored, vetted shortlist gets you to your first strong intro in about seven working days, on average.

Speed with quality

A scored, vetted shortlist gets you to your first strong intro in about seven working days, on average.

Built for scale

Contingency, retained or executive search to fit your stage, pace and risk. We fit how your team hires.

Built for scale

Contingency, retained or executive search to fit your stage, pace and risk. We fit how your team hires.

Operator-led evaluation

We test key skills with role plays, structured tasks and business scenarios. We look far beyond the CV.

Operator-led evaluation

We test key skills with role plays, structured tasks and business scenarios. We look far beyond the CV.

Retention that compounds

We find the best cultural and commercial fit so you avoid costly mis-hires and keep good people longer.

Retention that compounds

We find the best cultural and commercial fit so you avoid costly mis-hires and keep good people longer.

Australia & APAC focus

Our reach spans Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. We help you hire across APAC via our local ties.

Australia & APAC focus

Our reach spans Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. We help you hire across APAC via our local ties.

Clear market intelligence

We track pay, talent supply and market trends to give you usable insight and guide every hiring choice.

Clear market intelligence

We track pay, talent supply and market trends to give you usable insight and guide every hiring choice.

A partner after placement

We are there by your side after each hire with offer help, onboarding tips and a replacement guarantee.

A partner after placement

We are there by your side after each hire with offer help, onboarding tips and a replacement guarantee.

Two audiences. One specialist AI and SaaS recruitment agency in Australia

Two audiences. One specialist AI and SaaS recruitment agency in Australia

What does your next chapter look like?

For companies

Build your AI team.

Hire AI, machine learning and technical leaders through operator-led search: contingency, retained or executive.

AI engineers, ML engineers, MLOps and data scientists

Operator-led assessment and focused shortlists

Consultants who have worked in the teams they recruit for

60-day to 6-month replacement guarantee

For companies

Build your AI team.

Hire AI, machine learning and technical leaders through operator-led search: contingency, retained or executive.

AI engineers, ML engineers, MLOps and data scientists

Operator-led assessment and focused shortlists

Consultants who have worked in the teams they recruit for

60-day to 6-month replacement guarantee

For talent

Find your next AI role.

Work with recruiters who understand your stack and your worth, not generalist agents.

Opportunities with ambitious SaaS and AI companies

Interview preparation, honest advice and feedback

Transparent process, fast feedback, no ghosting

Salary & offer negotiation support

For talent

Find your next AI role.

Work with recruiters who understand your stack and your worth, not generalist agents.

Opportunities with ambitious SaaS and AI companies

Interview preparation, honest advice and feedback

Transparent process, fast feedback, no ghosting

Salary & offer negotiation support

AI roles we recruit

AI roles we recruit across Australia

AI roles we recruit across Australia

Leadership, product, go-to-market and engineering, matched to your stage.

Leadership, product, go-to-market and engineering, matched to your stage.

AI leadership

Head of AI, VP of Machine Learning, Chief AI Officer, AI Director

→

AI product & GTM

AI Product Managers, AI Solutions Architects, Solutions Engineers, GTM Engineers and AI sales leaders

→

AI & ML engineering

AI Engineers, ML Engineers, MLOps, NLP and computer vision specialists, LLM engineers, data scientists and applied researchers

→

ML engineers

Heads of AI

AI product

APAC hires

AI leadership

Head of AI, VP of Machine Learning, Chief AI Officer, AI Director

→

AI product & GTM

AI Product Managers, AI Solutions Architects, Solutions Engineers, GTM Engineers and AI sales leaders

→

AI & ML engineering

AI Engineers, ML Engineers, MLOps, NLP and computer vision specialists, LLM engineers, data scientists and applied researchers

→

ML engineers

Heads of AI

AI product

APAC hires

AI leadership

Head of AI, VP of Machine Learning, Chief AI Officer, AI Director

→

AI product & GTM

AI Product Managers, AI Solutions Architects, Solutions Engineers, GTM Engineers and AI sales leaders

→

AI & ML engineering

AI Engineers, ML Engineers, MLOps, NLP and computer vision specialists, LLM engineers, data scientists and applied researchers

→

ML engineers

Heads of AI

AI product

APAC hires

AI talent we place

The AI profiles our clients ask for most

Recent briefs across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and the experience our clients expect.

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Sydney · Hybrid

Permanent placement

AI & ML engineering

Takes models from notebook to production. Strong in Python, PyTorch or TensorFlow, MLOps and cloud deployment, with clear ownership of evaluation and inference performance.

Head of AI

Melbourne · Hybrid

Retained search

AI leadership

Sets AI strategy and builds the team around it. Has shipped AI products inside a scaling SaaS or enterprise business and can brief a board with confidence.

AI Product Manager

Brisbane · Hybrid

Permanent placement

AI product & GTM

Turns model capability into a product customers pay for. Understands LLM and machine learning trade-offs, and owns the roadmap and metrics.

AI Solutions Architect

Perth · Hybrid

Permanent placement

AI product & GTM

Designs how generative AI, NLP and computer vision fit into customer environments. Pairs deep technical credibility with a commercial head.

How we work

From brief to shortlist

A clear, senior-led process that takes you from role brief to a qualified AI shortlist and a confident offer.

Submit the brief

Tell us the role, stack, stage and urgency in about 60 seconds.

Submit the brief

Tell us the role, stack, stage and urgency in about 60 seconds.

Short consultation

A senior consultant confirms the profile, scope and what success looks like in year one.

Short consultation

A senior consultant confirms the profile, scope and what success looks like in year one.

Market mapping

We map and approach AI and ML talent across Australia and APAC, including people who are not looking.

Market mapping

We map and approach AI and ML talent across Australia and APAC, including people who are not looking.

Qualified shortlist

You receive a concise, scored shortlist—not a CV dump.

Qualified shortlist

You receive a concise, scored shortlist—not a CV dump.

Interviews and offer

We coordinate feedback, role-play preparation and negotiation.

Interviews and offer

We coordinate feedback, role-play preparation and negotiation.

Follow-through

We stay close through onboarding and the replacement-guarantee period.

Follow-through

We stay close through onboarding and the replacement-guarantee period.

Talk to an AI recruiter

Ready to build your AI team?

Competing for the same few AI engineers as everyone else is a losing game. Tell us what you are building and we will show you where the right people are and how to win them.

A few quick details · Takes about 60 seconds

What can we help with? *

We’ll get back to you within 1 business day

A clear next step, not a generic response.

Operator-led recruitment

Speak directly with our specialist team.

SaaS, AI & GTM specialists

Across Australia and APAC.

A few quick details · Takes about 60 seconds

What can we help with? *

We’ll get back to you within 1 business day

A clear next step, not a generic response.

Operator-led recruitment

Speak directly with our specialist team.

SaaS, AI & GTM specialists

Across Australia and APAC.

A few quick details · Takes about 60 seconds

What can we help with? *

We’ll get back to you within 1 business day

A clear next step, not a generic response.

Operator-led recruitment

Speak directly with our specialist team.

SaaS, AI & GTM specialists

Across Australia and APAC.

Engagement models

Three ways to hire AI talent

Three ways to hire AI talent

Three ways to hire AI talent

Choose contingency, retained or executive search based on urgency, seniority and risk.

Contingency

Contingency recruitment

A flexible search for clearly defined AI engineer, specialist and manager-level roles.

No upfront fee

Included in your search

  • Individual contributor and manager-level AI roles

  • Focused candidate outreach, interview and offer support

  • Rapid introduction of candidates

  • 60-day replacement guarantee

  • No fee up front, fee on start-date

Contingency

Contingency recruitment

A flexible search for clearly defined AI engineer, specialist and manager-level roles.

No upfront fee

Included in your search

  • Individual contributor and manager-level AI roles

  • Focused candidate outreach, interview and offer support

  • Rapid introduction of candidates

  • 60-day replacement guarantee

  • No fee up front, fee on start-date

Retained search

Retained search

An exclusive search for hard-to-fill or senior AI appointments, with deeper research and a dedicated search lead.

Included in your search

  • Exclusive search for priority and senior AI hires

  • Deeper market mapping with a dedicated search lead

  • Weekly progress reporting

  • 25% upfront; balance on start-date

  • 90-day replacement guarantee

  • 15% fee reduction

Retained search

Retained search

An exclusive search for hard-to-fill or senior AI appointments, with deeper research and a dedicated search lead.

Included in your search

  • Exclusive search for priority and senior AI hires

  • Deeper market mapping with a dedicated search lead

  • Weekly progress reporting

  • 25% upfront; balance on start-date

  • 90-day replacement guarantee

  • 15% fee reduction

Executive search

Executive search

A discreet, research-led search for Heads of AI and other business-critical leaders.

Milestone payments

Included in your search

  • Confidential senior and business-critical appointments

  • Direct executive outreach and structured assessment

  • Milestone-based engagement

  • 33% on engagement, 33% on short list, 33% on start-date

  • 6 month replacement guarantee

Executive search

Executive search

A discreet, research-led search for Heads of AI and other business-critical leaders.

Milestone payments

Included in your search

  • Confidential senior and business-critical appointments

  • Direct executive outreach and structured assessment

  • Milestone-based engagement

  • 33% on engagement, 33% on short list, 33% on start-date

  • 6 month replacement guarantee

AI recruitment questions, answered

AI recruitment questions, answered

Answers about AI roles, pay, timelines, search models and the Australian market.

Answers about AI roles, pay, timelines, search models and the Australian market.

How much does an AI recruitment agency cost in Australia?

How much does an AI recruitment agency cost in Australia?

How long does it take to hire an AI or machine learning engineer?

How long does it take to hire an AI or machine learning engineer?

What makes a specialist AI recruiter different from a generalist agency?

What makes a specialist AI recruiter different from a generalist agency?

Which search model is right for an AI hire?

Which search model is right for an AI hire?

How do you assess AI candidates?

How do you assess AI candidates?

What AI roles do you recruit in Australia?

What AI roles do you recruit in Australia?

How much do AI engineers earn in Australia?

How much do AI engineers earn in Australia?

Why is it so hard to hire AI talent in Australia?

Why is it so hard to hire AI talent in Australia?

Can you help me hire an AI engineer from overseas?

Can you help me hire an AI engineer from overseas?

Do you recruit AI talent in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth?

Do you recruit AI talent in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth?

Do the new Privacy Act rules affect hiring with AI tools?

Do the new Privacy Act rules affect hiring with AI tools?

Hiring AI talent in Australia?

Hiring AI talent in Australia?

Hiring AI talent in Australia?

Whether you need one executive hire or a whole AI team, our recruiters across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth are ready to help you build it.

Whether you need one executive hire or a whole AI team, our recruiters across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth are ready to help you build it.

Whether you need one executive hire or a whole AI team, our recruiters across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth are ready to help you build it.

Sydney Harbour skyline with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge