This case study examines how Abrazo Group partnered with Stern Pinball to overcome challenges in hiring specialized technical and engineering talent. Facing aggressive product timelines and a lack of internal recruiting resources, Stern Pinball struggled to attract qualified local candidates. Abrazo Group’s targeted approach, focused on talent mapping, deep role calibration, and high-signal screening, resulted in the successful placement of 19 critical roles, significantly contributing to Stern Pinball’s growth and enabling them to meet their ambitious goals.
The Challenge
Stern Pinball, a leading manufacturer of pinball machines, faced a significant hurdle in scaling its technology and engineering teams. The company was operating under tight product and platform timelines, but lacked an internal recruiting function capable of sourcing and hiring specialized technical talent. This challenge was compounded by:
- Limited Inbound Candidate Quality: Traditional job postings and generalist agencies were generating a high volume of resumes, but few candidates possessed the specific skills and experience required for Stern’s roles.
- Critical Launch Schedules: Delays in hiring could directly impact product launch dates, jeopardizing revenue and market share.
- Difficulty Accessing Local Talent: Despite a strong brand reputation, Stern struggled to identify and attract qualified candidates within the local market.
The company needed a partner who could not only find qualified candidates but also understand the specific needs of their technology and engineering teams and deliver talent efficiently.
The Abrazo Group Approach
Abrazo Group was engaged as a strategic hiring partner, working as an extension of Stern Pinball’s leadership team rather than a transactional recruiter. Our approach was built on the following key principles:
- Targeted Talent Mapping: We went beyond traditional job boards and actively mapped the local talent landscape to identify qualified candidates who were not actively seeking new opportunities. This involved leveraging our network, industry knowledge, and advanced search techniques to uncover hidden talent pools.
- Deep Role Calibration: We worked closely with hiring managers to gain a thorough understanding of the desired outcomes for each role, not just the required skills and experience. This ensured that we were aligned on the specific needs of each team and could identify candidates who would be a strong fit for the company culture.
- High-Signal Screening: We implemented a rigorous screening process to filter out unqualified candidates and focus on those with the highest potential. This involved in- depth interviews, technical assessments, and behavioral evaluations to assess candidates’ skills, experience, and cultural fit.
- Candidate Relationship Management: We prioritized building strong relationships with candidates, emphasizing the long-term fit and alignment with Stern Pinball’s mission. This involved providing candidates with a clear understanding of the company’s values, culture, and growth opportunities.
Instead of overwhelming hiring managers with a large volume of resumes, Abrazo Group focused on delivering small, curated shortlists of highly qualified finalists, enabling faster and more confident hiring decisions.
Roles Filled
Over the course of the partnership, Abrazo Group successfully filled 19 critical roles across Stern Pinball’s technology and engineering teams, including:
- Fullstack Software Engineers
- Mobile Engineers
- Lead and Senior Fullstack Engineers
- Lead Data Engineer
- ERP Specialist
- Senior Electrical Engineer
- Director of Engineering
- Director of IT
- Director of Technology
- Studio Art Director
These hires spanned both hands-on technical execution and senior leadership positions, supporting Stern Pinball’s growth across product development, infrastructure, data, and creative studios.
Results
The partnership between Abrazo Group and Stern Pinball yielded significant results:
- 19 Total Placements: From May 2023 to present, Abrazo Group successfully placed 19 critical roles within Stern Pinball’s technology and engineering teams.
- 45–60 Day Average Time to Fill: Despite the complexity and specialization of the roles, Abrazo Group maintained an average time to fill of 45–60 days, even for senior and niche positions.
- 100 Percent Offer Acceptance Rate: All candidates who received offers from Stern Pinball accepted, demonstrating the effectiveness of Abrazo Group’s candidate relationship management and the strong alignment between candidates and the company.
- Streamlined Hiring Process: Pipelines were narrowed from hundreds of candidates to a small group of high-confidence finalists, saving hiring managers significant time and effort.
- Access to Untapped Talent: Abrazo Group consistently delivered local talent that Stern Pinball had not previously identified or accessed, expanding the company’s talent pool and improving the quality of hires.
Abrazo Group’s Hiring Process at Stern Pinball
Client Feedback
Stern Pinball’s leadership team expressed high satisfaction with Abrazo Group’s performance. One executive stated:
“I don’t know how you guys do it. You always find the best candidates in the shortest amount of time, locally. People we didn’t even know existed. We gave you an opportunity, and you ran through the door.” Additional feedback from hiring managers highlighted:
- Exceptional candidate quality
- Speed without sacrificing rigor
- Clear communication and trust throughout the process
Why It Worked
Abrazo Group’s success was not based on simply posting job ads or relying on surface-level sourcing. The partnership thrived because of:
- Deep Market Knowledge: A thorough understanding of the local technology and engineering talent landscape.
- Disciplined Screening: A rigorous process for evaluating candidates’ skills, experience, and cultural fit.
- Honest Calibration with Stakeholders: Open and transparent communication with hiring managers to ensure alignment on requirements and expectations.
- Focus on Long-Term Impact: A commitment to finding candidates who would not only fill immediate needs but also contribute to Stern Pinball’s long-term success.
The result was a repeatable hiring engine that helped Stern Pinball execute on critical initiatives without the need to build an extensive internal recruiting team. Abrazo Group’s partnership enabled Stern Pinball to scale its technology and engineering teams effectively, meet aggressive product timelines, and maintain its position as a leader in the pinball industry