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Adeptus / Human-centred recruitment

Human-centred recruitment
for high-performance teams

↓

We connect engineering-led organisations with specialist technical talent

Advanced Manufacturing

Supporting manufacturers across precision engineering, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, composites, robotics, automation and specialist product development.

  • Design
  • Manufacturing
  • Process
  • Production
  • Quality Engineering
Building Services & MEP

Supporting M&E contractors and building services consultancies across commercial, healthcare and industrial developments.

  • Mechanical and Electrical Design
  • Project Management
  • Commissioning
Aerospace & Defence

Supporting businesses across aerospace, electric aviation, eVTOL, advanced propulsion, defence technologies and uncrewed systems.

  • Design
  • Systems
  • Software
  • Controls
  • Project Engineering
Data Centres & Mission Critical

Supporting contractors and specialist engineering businesses delivering data centres and mission-critical facilities, where reliability, resilience and operational continuity are essential.

  • M&E Project Delivery
  • Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
  • Building Controls
  • BMS
  • Commissioning
Automotive & Motorsport

Supporting businesses across vehicle development, performance engineering, electrification, powertrain systems, battery technology and vehicle dynamics.

  • Design
  • Performance
  • Simulation
  • Software
  • Controls Engineering
Energy & Utilities

Supporting engineering businesses and contractors across power generation, nuclear, renewables, transmission, distribution and utilities.

  • Power and HV Engineering
  • Project Delivery
  • Commissioning
  • Quality
  • Commercial
  • Project Controls
Marine

Supporting businesses across naval architecture, vessel design, autonomous marine systems, propulsion, hydrodynamics, offshore technologies and sustainable maritime solutions.

  • Design
  • Performance
  • Simulation
  • Controls Engineering
Infrastructure & Major Projects

Supporting contractors and specialist supply chain businesses delivering major infrastructure and construction projects.

  • M&E Project Delivery
  • Design
  • Project Engineering
  • Technical Management
  • Commercial
  • Project Controls

High-tech industries. Human-led search.

Two decades in engineering-led industries have taught us one simple truth:

Technical capability gets candidates shortlisted, but human connection makes the hire succeed.

Modern recruitment rarely looks beyond the CV or the brief. So we created Adeptus - a consultancy replacing impersonal, tech-reliant, transactional hiring, with senior-level execution led by humans, our directors, Sam and Joe - to deliver a higher quality of service to innovative, high-growth businesses.

With deep sector experience and a network of trusted relationships, we succeed by fully aligning our clients’ goals with our candidates’ aspirations, building strong teams that advance UK engineering; Proving that a human-centred approach - doing the right thing by people - delivers results for business too.

Get to know us

98%

Placement retention

100%

Repeat client rate

27+

Years of combined
recruitment experience

25K+

Engineering professionals
in network

Sam Hillberg, co-founder of Adeptus

Sam Hillberg

Founder / Director

Joe Smith, co-founder of Adeptus

Joe Smith

Founder / Director

We’re Sam and Joe, co-founders of Adeptus: a Bristol-based recruitment consultancy helping engineering-led businesses find specialist technical talent.

We bring two decades of experience placing specialists across sectors ranging from Aerospace, Defence and Advanced Manufacturing, to Construction, Infrastructure and Major Projects. Having built our careers in established recruitment agencies, we decided it was time to offer a more human-led service to innovative organisations and high-performing individuals.

So we created Adeptus.

About Adeptus

Why work with us

Adept industries need an adept search partner

Proven sector expertise

With over 20 years of experience in placing talent across UK engineering, we've built the industry knowledge, networks and relationships to find the right people to drive businesses forward. From critical technical positions to senior leadership, our track record is built on delivering high-performing talent that makes a commercial impact.

Real alignment - using human judgment, not AI

Hires that succeed are as much about culture and personal alignment as they are technical capability. Tech can’t replace the power of human judgement when it comes to understanding this. Because we take the time to get to know the people we work with, we make sure that our clients and candidates align both professionally and culturally - so that every placement is built for long-term retention.

Direct founder accountability

We are intentionally small so that we can take personal ownership of each and every search. You will always deal with one of us. This means we can maintain the high standards of service we expect of ourselves, stay close to the detail of each brief, and build the knowledge and relationships needed to make lasting hires.

Strategic advice, not just CVs

We are your advisors throughout the search. We help our clients shape briefs, sense-check market expectations, set realistic timelines, and expand searches to professionals who might not be actively looking. We offer our candidates guidance, coaching, business insight and realistic expectations about their potential next move.

Quality over quantity

We don't deal in high-volume, transactional recruitment. Clients receive carefully qualified shortlists of people who fit, technically and culturally. Candidates are only ever introduced to roles that match their true career trajectory - built on genuine suitability, not short-term quick wins.

What our clients and candidates say about us

“It’s rare to find someone who genuinely gets both the technical side of engineering recruitment and the importance of cultural fit”

Lauren RowlesHead of People & Culture, Modini

“They have consistently demonstrated a genuine commitment to understanding our business, our culture, and the challenges of recruiting within a highly competitive and demanding market”

Tom DanceyRecruitment Business Partner, Dalkia

“Highly knowledgeable about the market”

Rob RowsellCTO, Wirth Research

“Provided only candidates matching our unique requirements.”

Ryan DayEngineering Manager, Central Pharma

“The Adeptus team were outstanding”

Jason JonesOperations Director, Imetrum

“I had dealt with many recruiters, but the Adeptus team’s approach was very refreshing!”

Darren AstonEngineering Director, Horstman Defence Systems

“Their communication, professionalism, and guidance throughout the process were outstanding”

Joe WilliamsElectrical Design Engineer, Dalkia

“Delivered a great service with insight and honesty.”

Chris TimsLead Mechanical Design Engineer, Bar Technologies

“In-process and aftercare service that stood out.”

Justin AveryQuality Manager & Environmental Officer, Daido Industrial Bearings

“Their support didn’t stop at the offer.”

Carlos RodríguezPerformance Engineer, GT Wings

A few of the businesses we work with

  • Dalkia
  • Imetrum
  • Novel Engineering Consultants
  • Wirth Research