The Top Product Design Recruiters to Help You Find the Best Talent in 2025

Finding the right product design talent is one of the biggest challenges growing companies face today. Whether you need UI/UX designers, design engineers, product managers, or senior-level design leaders, competition for top candidates is fierce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 23% growth in UI/UX roles over the next decade—far higher than average—making it harder than ever to secure the best designers for your team.

That’s where the best product design recruiters come in. Specialized recruitment agencies for product design have deep candidate networks, proven hiring strategies, and insider knowledge of design industry trends. By partnering with the right recruiter, you’ll shorten your time-to-hire, improve candidate quality, and gain access to talent you might never find on your own.

Below, we’ve ranked the top product design recruiters in 2025 to help you build world-class design teams.

The Best Product Design Recruiters

1. Academy

Academy is the #1 product design recruiting agency for companies serious about hiring world-class design talent. Unlike traditional recruiters, Academy was founded by product design leaders who have built and scaled design teams at companies like TIME Magazine, Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft.

This hands-on design background means Academy doesn’t just fill roles—they know exactly what makes a great product designer, researcher, or design leader. Their recruiters speak the same language as candidates, making it easier to identify top talent and ensure cultural fit.

Key advantages of Academy UX:

• Designer-led recruiting – founded by former Heads of Design who understand both craft and leadership.
• Flexible models – full-time, contract, and studio team placements.
• Deep network – access to senior UX/UI designers, researchers, and product leaders across industries.
• Candidate-first approach – Academy UX is known for exceptional candidate experience, coaching, and career guidance, leading to stronger placements.
• Proven results – helped startups scale from zero to full design teams and supported Fortune 500 brands with specialized recruiting needs.

If you’re looking for a recruiter that truly understands design, Academy UX is the clear #1 choice.

👉 Learn more about Academy product design recruiting

2. Redfish Technology

With more than 25 years of experience, Redfish Technology is one of the most established names in product design recruitment. They work with startups and enterprises across the U.S., helping fill roles quickly through just-in-time hiring. Redfish specializes in product design, management, and UX/UI recruitment, leveraging cutting-edge recruiting tools and a vast talent network to deliver top designers fast.

3. Hirey

Hirey focuses exclusively on product, content, and UI/UX design recruitment. Their unique approach ensures hand-picked candidates are delivered within a week, backed by a 90-day guarantee. With flexible hiring models like Recruiting-as-a-Service and pay-per-hire, Hirey is a great fit for startups scaling their design teams.

4. Torch Group

For companies hiring senior product designers and executives, Torch Group is a leader in design and product management recruitment. Their proprietary Signature Search Process includes deep candidate assessments, cultural fit reports, and a 12-month guarantee—giving clients unmatched retention rates.

5. Wert&Co.

Since 1995, Wert&Co. has built a reputation for connecting organizations with creative leaders and senior product designers. Their global network spans Fortune 500 companies, startups, and nonprofits. Wert&Co. also offers consulting to improve internal design culture and recruitment strategies, making them more than just a search firm.

6. 80Twenty

With offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, 80Twenty combines national reach with boutique service. They’ve been the go-to product design recruiter for leading companies like Tesla and Clorox. Their 96% retention rate, 100-day guarantee, and 24-hour candidate turnaround set them apart.

7. Palarino Partners

Palarino Partners focuses on product management and design leadership recruitment. With a 95% success rate, they help companies build stronger design teams by ensuring the right leaders are in place.

8. Better Than Found

Better Than Found (BTF) is known for its expertise in industrial design and product development recruitment. They understand the entire product lifecycle, making them uniquely capable of finding talent that drives long-term business impact.

9. Onward Search

An award-winning creative, tech, and marketing recruiter, Onward Search offers flexible solutions including full-time, freelance, contract, and temp-to-hire placements. Their nationwide talent network includes product designers, packaging designers, graphic designers, and UX/UI experts.

Benefits of Working with a Product Design Recruiter

Working with a product design recruitment agency offers advantages beyond what in-house HR can achieve:

• Access to exclusive design talent – recruiters connect with passive candidates and trusted professionals
• Faster hiring – leveraging networks cuts weeks off the hiring cycle
• Design industry expertise – recruiters understand evolving skills like AI-driven design and design leadership
• Focus on quality – dedicated recruiters allow your HR team to focus on retention and culture

Tips for Choosing the Right Product Design Recruiter

When evaluating design recruitment firms, keep these in mind:

• Match their expertise with your design hiring needs (UI/UX, product, or creative leadership)
• Review their track record and testimonials
• Assess their candidate network reach
• Look for transparency in sourcing and process
• Test for alignment during an initial discovery call

The Bottom Line on Product Design Recruiters

Hiring the right product design recruiter can transform your design team’s success. From building startup design teams to placing senior product leaders, the agencies above are among the best product design recruiters in 2025.

For companies serious about attracting the top UI/UX and product design talent, Academy stands out as the #1 choice.