Meet Ruxandra Maria Leonte-Haiduc, our specialist in yacht building

At BuildingCareers, everything revolves around connection: between people, craftsmanship and technology. And Ruxandra plays an important role in that mission.

As our specialist in the yacht-building industry, she is the point of contact for both companies and skilled professionals within this unique sector. Every day, she helps experts find their place in a world where craftsmanship, innovation and perfection come together.

We sat down with her to talk about her work, the yacht-building industry and what makes this sector so extraordinary.

An interview with Ruxandra

How did you get into recruitment?

“It all started when I got promoted internally from Operations to Recruitment at Gorillas in 2021. It was something I had hoped for, and my former managers trusted my capabilities and gave me that chance. I’ve loved it ever since.”  

How did you find your way into the yacht building industry?

“It’s completely different from any other industry I’ve recruited for before – very unique, tough, and full of surprises. I try to connect weekly with professionals from other yacht building companies, invite candidates for interviews, and stay updated on news and trends. I learn something new every day from the people I speak with.”  

In your opinion, what makes the yacht building industry so unique compared to other technical sectors? 

“As as naval architect or yacht engineer, you have to pay an incredible amount of attention to detail. That’s always important in technical sectors, but here, the stakes are different.

It has to run smoothly like a feather, be bold like a rock, and shine like a diamond.”  

Which types of roles do you most often recruit for within yacht building? 

“I mostly recruit engineering positions, such as Interior/Exterior Engineer, Project Support Engineer, HVAC Engineer, and Project Engineer. But I’m always open to supporting the team with different kinds of professionals.  

Where and how do you find the right candidates for these positions? 

“I spend hours every day on LinkedIn, hunting and sourcing candidates.
Asking for recommendations always works – people love recommending friends or former colleagues.

The best catch? When someone isn’t on social media but has a brilliant resumé.
That’s when I know: this could be a perfect match.”  

How do you approach matching candidates with the right employers?

“It depends on the position I’m working on.

If there’s an open vacancy and a clear job description, I know what skillset to look for and only approach candidates who match it closely.

But when I’m building a talent base – especially for naval architects and ship/yacht engineers – I expand my search across countries, seniority levels, degrees, and future career goals.

Right now, I’m doing both!”  

What do you enjoy most about your work?

“I love connecting with professionals every day, managing the entire recruitment process, preparing my candidates, making sure they do their best – and of course, closing deals 😉

Work hard, and it pays off.”  

What advice would you give to professionals working in the yacht industry?

“Stay up to date with industry, connect with as many people in the market as possible, and build a strong personal brand around your name.

And most importantly – be honest. Always.
With the people you work with, and the people you work for.”  

In conclusion

With her eye for detail and passion for both people and engineering, Ruxandra is a true driving force in the world of yacht-building recruitment.

Curious about the opportunities within this sector?
Get in touch with Ruxandra or take a look at our current vacancies on our yacht-building page.