Diriga Recruiting — Cleared talent for defense and national security

Founded on a mission, not a margin

Ray Bazzi started Diriga Recruiting after two decades of watching generalist staffing firms send unvetted candidates into programs where the wrong hire could compromise a mission. He had seen the cost of attrition in defense programs firsthand — not just in dollars, but in operational readiness.

Diriga Recruiting exists to solve one problem: connecting cleared professionals with the programs that need them most, with a precision that generalist firms cannot match. Every recruiter on our team understands the defense landscape, the clearance process, and the urgency that comes with staffing a classified program.

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Clearance capability matrix

We recruit across every level of the security clearance spectrum. Each tier requires different sourcing strategies, networks, and timelines.

Secret

Standard clearance for defense contractors. Covers most support and technical roles.

Typical rolesLogistics Analyst, IT Support, Administrative Specialist, Help Desk Technician

IndustriesDefense Contracting, Federal IT, Military Support

Top Secret

Required for access to national security information. Background investigation covers 10 years.

Typical rolesSystems Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Program Manager, Network Architect

IndustriesDefense, Aerospace, Federal Agencies

TS/SCI

Compartmented access to sensitive intelligence. Requires full-scope background investigation.

Typical rolesIntelligence Analyst, SIGINT Engineer, Mission Systems Developer, SOF Support

IndustriesIntelligence Community, Special Operations, Defense R&D

TS/SCI with Poly

Highest standard clearance with polygraph examination. Most restrictive candidate pool.

Typical rolesCI/HUMINT Specialist, Cryptographic Engineer, Secure Systems Architect

IndustriesNational Intelligence, NSA, CIA, NGA

~2%

Attrition rate across all placements

90%

Positions requiring active clearance

6

Defense hub locations nationwide

95%

Client return rate year over year

Defense industry hub presence

Embedded in the communities where defense programs operate. Proximity to installations means faster sourcing and deeper local networks.

Fort Liberty, NC

Home of USASOC and JSOC. SOF support, intelligence, and C4ISR programs.

Hampton Roads, VA

Naval Station Norfolk, Langley AFB. Navy, Air Force, and shipbuilding programs.

San Antonio, TX

JBSA, 24th/25th Air Force. Cyber operations, ISR, and Air Force IT.

Colorado Springs, CO

NORAD, USSPACECOM, Peterson SFB. Space, missile defense, and C2 systems.

Huntsville, AL

Redstone Arsenal, MDA, PEO Aviation. Missile defense, aviation, and Army programs.

Tampa, FL / MacDill AFB

USCENTCOM, USSOCOM headquarters. Special operations, intelligence, and CENTCOM support.

Case studies

Measured results from mission-critical staffing engagements.

Rapid TS/SCI team build for SIGINT program

Challenge

A defense prime needed 12 TS/SCI-cleared SIGINT analysts within 60 days for a newly awarded CENTCOM contract. Previous staffing partners had delivered a 40% attrition rate on similar programs.

Solution

Leveraged our cleared candidate network across Tampa and Fort Liberty hubs. Conducted technical screenings and cultural fit assessments specific to the program environment.

Result

All 12 positions filled within 45 days. Zero attrition at the 12-month mark. Client expanded the contract to include 8 additional roles.

Cybersecurity team for classified network modernization

Challenge

An intelligence community customer required a team of 6 cybersecurity engineers with TS/SCI Poly clearances for a classified network infrastructure overhaul. The role required both CISSP certification and hands-on experience with NSA Type 1 encryption.

Solution

Activated our deep network of polygraphed cybersecurity professionals. Pre-screened candidates against technical requirements and program-specific access needs.

Result

Full team operational within 90 days. The modernization project completed on schedule. Client cited Diriga as the only recruiting partner who understood the clearance and technical requirements simultaneously.

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Cleared professionals — join our network

Your clearance and credentials are valuable. We connect you with programs that match your experience, clearance level, and career goals. No mass job boards. No generic outreach. Targeted opportunities from recruiters who understand your world.

The team behind your hires

Defense-focused recruiters with the clearance knowledge, technical fluency, and network depth to deliver.

Ray Bazzi

Founder & Managing Director

Defense & intelligence programs, executive search

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Technical Recruiter

Cybersecurity, TS/SCI Poly cleared roles

James Carter

Defense Programs Recruiter

SOF support, C4ISR, intelligence analysis

Lisa Park

Healthcare & Engineering Recruiter

Healthcare IT, aerospace engineering, cleared medical

Meet the full team

Knights Staffing

When programs scale, Knights Staffing delivers. Our high-volume execution arm handles large-scale cleared staffing requirements — from 20 to 200 positions — with the same quality standards that define Diriga Recruiting.

Learn about Knights Staffing

Your mission can't wait. Neither can we.

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We build the teams that defend the nation