Top 15 AutoTech Recruitment Professionals
Meet the top recruitment experts who specialize in the auto tech industry, known for their ability to connect innovative talent with groundbreaking companies in the sector. ↓
The AutoTech industry is rapidly transforming, fueled by cutting-edge advancements in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and mobility tech. At the forefront of this evolution are the talented recruiters who specialize in connecting top-tier professionals with companies driving innovation in this space. From seasoned experts with deep sector knowledge to those pushing the envelope in diversity and inclusion, these recruiters play a crucial role in shaping the future of mobility.
Below is an updated and ranked list of 15 of the world’s best AutoTech recruitment professionals, selected for their exceptional impact across automotive technology sectors.
- Catherine McLean
- Brian Hagman
- Raymond McSpirit
- Simone Herrera
- Joe Rooney
- Steve Doyle
- John Bukowicz
- Dennis Theodorou
- Rebecca Hastings
- Mark Thibodeau
- Georgina Salamy
- Gregg McDonald
- Francois P. Truc
- Christian Rosen
- Paul Stohr
Below we provide more detailed profiles of each recruiter.
Catherine McLean
Nationality: British
Catherine McLean is a leading recruiter in the clean energy and electric vehicle sector, known for her passion for diversity and inclusion in hiring. She founded Dylan Green in 2019 as a strategic talent consultancy specializing in placing top-tier professionals with companies driving the clean energy transition.
Catherine has spent over a decade in energy recruitment, and previously led a global energy & utility recruitment firm – this deep sector experience has made her a sought-after advisor for EV charging networks, battery startups, and e-mobility service companies. She was honored with The Cleanie Award (2021) Champion in DEI for her work helping cleantech companies improve diversity hiring. McLean is very active publicly: she frequently appears on podcasts and panels (e.g., talking about recruitment & diversity in cleantech) and shares job openings and career tips on social media to help mission-driven talent find roles in EV and sustainability.
- LinkedIn: Catherine McLean
Brian Hagman
Nationality: American
The key to successful recruitment in the automotive tech sector is understanding the technology at its core and ensuring the right talent fits not just the role but the future of the industry.
Brian Hagman is a prominent recruiter focused on automotive technology and mobility, known for connecting top talent with roles in areas like braking systems, electric vehicles, and automated driving.
As founder of Hagman Search, he has built a reputation for placing high-caliber candidates in the autotech sector, leveraging deep industry expertise and a broad network. He is also the publisher of The EV Report and Self Drive News, demonstrating thought leadership by shaping conversations around mobility and technology. Hagman is highly visible in the industry, often sharing insights on emerging automotive trends and actively engaging with a large professional following (over 24,000 on LinkedIn).
- LinkedIn: Brian Hagman
- X (Twitter): @BrianHagman
Raymond McSpirit
Nationality: British
Raymond McSpirit is the founder and CEO of EVRecruitment.com, a recruiting consultancy dedicated to the electric vehicle and clean mobility sector. With a background in technical recruitment, McSpirit has become a go-to headhunter for EV startups and suppliers, building a diverse team that places engineering and leadership talent across vehicle manufacturing, charging infrastructure, and battery technology.
He is a familiar face at industry events – for example, Raymond has spoken at ACT Expo 2024 to share insights on EV talent sourcing. Known for his integrity and process-driven approach, McSpirit has helped many companies secure the specialized skills needed to innovate in electrification. He actively engages the EV community on social media, promoting opportunities and hosting panels to drive the sector forward.
- LinkedIn: Raymond McSpirit
Simone Herrera
Nationality: American
Recruiting for Ford’s EV programs means constantly staying ahead of the curve and bringing in people who can think outside the box and push the boundaries of automotive technology.
Simone Herrera is a talent acquisition leader at Ford, boldly heading engineering recruiting teams for Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) programs, digital initiatives, and design teams. With over two decades of recruitment experience, she has earned a reputation for driving large-scale hiring of top engineering talent to support Ford’s electrification and connected car strategies.
Colleagues praise Herrera’s deep collaboration with technical departments and her ability to attract innovators in areas like battery engineering, software, and autonomous systems. Simone is a visible advocate for modernizing automotive recruitment – she often shares her perspectives on inclusive hiring and career growth on LinkedIn, inspiring many in the industry.
- LinkedIn: Simone Herrera
Joe Rooney
Nationality: American
Joe Rooney is the co-founder and CEO of Elevation Proving Grounds (EPG), a specialized recruiting firm 100% focused on electric and autonomous vehicle talent acquisition.
He spearheads EV.Careers, an EV industry talent platform boasting a proprietary database of 25,000+ professionals, giving clients exclusive access to hard-to-reach candidates. Under Rooney’s leadership, EPG has become an “industry leader in autonomous vehicle headhunting,” known for clear communication and exceptional results in hiring top self-driving tech talent. Joe is respected for his strategic insights into EV/AV hiring trends – he frequently advises companies on building teams for emerging mobility tech and has been featured in industry discussions.
- LinkedIn: Joe Roone
Steve Doyle
Nationality: British
Steve Doyle is the CEO of EVera Recruitment, Europe’s only dedicated battery and electric vehicle recruitment consultancy. Based in the UK, Doyle has positioned EVera as a leader in sourcing specialized talent for gigafactories, lithium-ion battery R&D, and EV engineering.
Under his guidance, EVera’s team (23,000+ followers on LinkedIn) has developed a deep technical understanding of the sector, enabling them to find “rare skills and talent” needed in the rapidly growing EV industry. Steve is known for his hands-on approach with clients – when partnering with EV startups or automakers, he often provides market insight on emerging skills and even exhibits at major battery expos to connect with talent (e.g., EVera’s presence at the Battery Cells & Systems Expo). He maintains an active profile on social media, promoting industry news and job opportunities to help advance Europe’s EV workforce.
- LinkedIn: Steve Doyle
John Bukowicz
Nationality: American
John Bukowicz is a veteran executive recruiter and Managing Director for The Americas at LIASE Group, an international automotive and mobility-focused search firm. With over 33 years of executive search experience, Bukowicz has completed 500+ high-level searches for automotive OEMs, suppliers, and emerging tech companies.
He is widely respected as a thought leader in the industry – a frequent lecturer and panelist on succession planning and talent retention in the auto sector. John’s expertise spans both traditional automotive and new mobility trends; he leverages this insight to advise boards and CEOs on acquiring visionary leaders who can navigate electrification and digital transformation. His professional visibility is high: Bukowicz often publishes articles and speaks at conferences on how to attract talent in an era of autonomous and connected cars.
- LinkedIn: John Bukowicz
Dennis Theodorou
Nationality: American
Dennis Theodorou is the Managing Director of JMJ Phillip Executive Search and a key figure in automotive and industrial recruitment. With over a decade in executive search, Dennis has led high-stakes placements for automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, helping them secure top engineering and operations leaders.
He is frequently quoted on recruitment trends (from embracing AI tools to attracting next-generation auto talent) and has appeared in outlets like Computerworld for his expertise. Colleagues describe Theodorou as a dynamic thought leader who balances data-driven strategy with a personal touch – he’s known to consult on building great teams and has discussed these insights in interviews (e.g., a Daggerfinn Q&A on leadership and team building). Dennis maintains a solid professional presence on LinkedIn, sharing advice on talent market “pulse” and relocation trends for 2025.
- LinkedIn: Dennis Theodorou
Rebecca Hastings
Nationality: British
Rebecca Hastings is an executive search expert who founded Lucent Search in the UK, specializing in technology leadership hires across AI, data, and smart mobility sectors. With 15+ years of experience, she has a proven track record of placing top executives and engineering leaders in emerging fields like autonomous driving software, EV platform development, and mobility data analytics.
Rebecca stands out for her consultative approach – she holds additional qualifications in HR, diversity, and organizational design, enabling her to advise autotech startups on building high-performing, diverse teams. As host of “The Lucent Perspective” podcast, Hastings regularly interviews tech innovators and investors, showcasing her thought leadership and keeping her finger on the pulse of industry trends. She is highly visible on LinkedIn and other forums, where she shares hiring insights at the intersection of AI and mobility, and is celebrated for empowering women in tech (e.g., serving on the board of a program supporting girls in digital skills).
- LinkedIn: Rebecca Hastings
Mark Thibodeau
Nationality: American
Mark Thibodeau is a globally recognized automotive headhunter with over 25 years in executive search and staffing. Based in Detroit, he founded Tier One Executive Search (now part of TRANSEARCH International) in 2002 and built it into what became “the world’s leader in leadership recruitment for the automotive and industrial segments.”.
Thibodeau currently leads TRANSEARCH’s Global Automotive Practice, coordinating searches across North America, Europe, and Asia. He has successfully placed CEOs, VPs, and technical directors for automakers, Tier-1 suppliers, and even automotive tech startups, often navigating cross-continental talent moves. A board member of the Pinnacle Society (an elite recruiters association), Mark is known for his innovative recruitment methodologies and commitment to cultural fit – his use of the Orxestra® method to assess candidate “fit” has been highlighted as best practice.
He speaks frequently at industry panels and even draws on personal passions (like jazz piano) to connect with people, reflecting a personable approach to networking.
- LinkedIn: Mark Thibodeau
Georgina Salamy
Nationality: American
Georgina Salamy is widely regarded as one of the top recruiters in the autonomous driving startup arena. As a lead technical recruiter at Zoox, the self-driving car company acquired by Amazon, she has been instrumental in scaling the team with world-class talent in AI, robotics, and automotive engineering.
Candidates and colleagues alike speak highly of Georgina – “one of the best recruiters I have worked with,” noted one testimonial, praising her in-depth knowledge of the companies and roles she represents. She is adept at finding niche specialists (from Lidar engineers to simulation scientists) and presenting Zoox’s cutting-edge vision to attract them. Georgina maintains an active presence on LinkedIn, where she shares updates on Zoox’s milestones and often posts tips for navigating the hiring process at autonomous vehicle programs. Her combination of professionalism and genuine advocacy for candidates has made her a respected figure in Silicon Valley’s mobility tech recruiting circles.
- LinkedIn: Georgina Salamy
Gregg McDonald
Nationality: American
Gregg McDonald is a seasoned executive recruiter who has led automotive practice groups at top firms and now helms his own boutique search venture. Formerly co-head of Russell Reynolds Associates’ global automotive practice, he joined Heidrick & Struggles to head the automotive sector in the Americas.
Gregg’s unique strength is in recruiting leaders who fuse automotive and tech expertise – he has helped traditional auto companies find digital leaders for connected vehicle and smart mobility initiatives. His prior experience as an engineer at GE and Ford gives him a strong foundation to assess technical and leadership competencies in candidates. McDonald is a thought leader on the impact of IoT and AI in the car industry; he has advised companies on finding talent for roles blending automotive domain knowledge with software innovation (for example, placing executives to lead programs in connected cars and smart-grid vehicle integration).
He often shares insights on how legacy automotive firms can attract Silicon Valley talent and is known for being a “particularly effective leadership advisor” to clients undergoing digital transformation.
- LinkedIn: Gregg McDonald
Francois P. Truc
Nationality: French
Francois Truc is a key global recruiter at Korn Ferry, leading searches for automotive and mobility clients around the world. Based in Dallas, he brings 20+ years of diverse experience across North America, Europe, and Asia, and even previously headed executive recruiting internally for a major automaker.
Francois leverages his background (which includes a stint as a VP at Magna International and as a Booz Allen consultant in automotive) to advise companies on securing top talent for transformational roles. He specializes in placing senior leaders who can drive innovation – whether it’s a Chief Digital Officer for a connected car initiative or a VP of Manufacturing for an EV assembly plant. Clients value Truc’s strategic perspective; he understands automotive business challenges deeply and recruits executives capable of navigating electrification, autonomous tech, and global supply complexities.
Francois is active in professional circles, contributing to white papers on future automotive leadership needs and occasionally sharing his insights via Korn Ferry’s social media (LinkedIn posts, etc.).
- LinkedIn: Francois P. Truc
Christian Rosen
Nationality: German
Dr. Christian Rosen leads Egon Zehnder’s global Mobility & Automotive practice, making him one of the foremost executive recruiters in the worldwide auto-tech arena. Based in Berlin, and formerly a senior engineering executive at Volkswagen, Rosen combines technical credibility with executive search acumen.
He has guided searches for top leadership positions across Europe, China, and the US, often advising on whole-team build-outs for new EV ventures and smart mobility divisions. Christian is a trusted talent strategy advisor on digital transformation in the automotive sector – he’s deeply involved in helping automakers and suppliers find leaders in software, AI, and new business models for the connected car age. He frequently appears in Egon Zehnder’s thought leadership articles and at events like CES, sharing perspectives on the “automotive revolution” and the kind of agile, humble leadership needed to steer it.
His passion for the industry is evident (he holds a PhD in physics and still describes himself as “passionate about all things automotive”), which resonates with both candidates and clients globally.
- LinkedIn: Christian Rosen
Paul Stohr
Nationality: American
Paul Stohr leads the global Automotive/Mobility Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA), where he serves as a trusted advisor to automakers and new mobility companies on executive talent. Based in Minneapolis, Stohr has extensive experience recruiting CEOs, CTOs, and other C-suite leaders for the automotive and heavy equipment industries, as well as emerging EV startups.
He is particularly noted for his thought leadership on “future-proofing automotive leadership teams,” co-authoring reports on the new breed of auto leaders needed for the mobility era. Paul’s insights have been featured in industry media like WardsAuto (discussing how automakers can attract digital and software talent), and he emphasizes four critical areas for success in the evolving auto sector (from culture to agile innovation). Within RRA, Stohr is known for his collaborative approach – he often works with colleagues globally to scout talent in fields like autonomous tech, electrification, and connectivity.
- LinkedIn: Paul Stohr
Sum Up
These prominent recruiters have played a pivotal role in shaping the AutoTech industry by expertly sourcing top executives, driving digital innovation, and spearheading growth in emerging automotive technology markets. However, working directly with these experts can often be difficult due to their high demand or premium costs.
A practical solution is to partner with EchoGlobal, where our extensive industry knowledge and global network can connect you with the right AutoTech talent to fuel your growth.
Note: We’ve dedicated significant time and effort to creating and verifying this curated list of top professionals. However, if you believe a correction or addition is needed, feel free to reach out. We’ll gladly review and update the page.
Lou Reverchuk