Best AI Engineer Hiring Guide for 2025

Hiring AI engineers in 2025 is tough. Demand is high, salaries are steep, and the best candidates move quickly. That is why many startups and mid-market teams are turning to Latin America for nearshore AI talent. You get real-time collaboration, strong English, and faster ramps without piling on internal HR overhead.

Below is a practical guide to partners that consistently help U.S. companies build AI capacity. We lead with Plugg Technologies, then highlight other options that fit different needs and budgets.

Key takeaways

✅ Nearshore AI hiring gives you real-time collaboration, strong English, and faster ramps than most global marketplaces.
✅ Plugg Technologies offers a full-service, white-glove model: vetted AI talent, payroll and compliance, and ongoing consultant care.
✅ LATAM-focused partners reduce risk with cultural alignment and U.S. time zones.
✅ Marketplace platforms can deliver speed and breadth, but may introduce time-zone friction and variable retention.
✅ The right choice depends on scope, timeline, security needs, stack fit, and whether you want staff augmentation or managed delivery.

How to choose an AI staffing partner

Before we dive into the companies, here is a quick refresher on what to look for. Aim for a partner that balances speed, quality, and long-term fit. You want engineers who can ship in your toolchain, align with your ceremonies, and stick around.

• Model fit: Staff augmentation, dedicated pod, or managed delivery

• Speed to hire: Typical timeline from intake to start date and ability to run trials or pilots

• Vetting depth: Technical screens, portfolio or code review, English and soft-skills checks

• Stack alignment: Experience with your ecosystem (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn, Azure ML, AWS SageMaker, MLOps)

• Time zone and collaboration: Daily standups, overlap hours, and communication norms

• Security and compliance: NDAs, SOC 2 or ISO posture, data handling, device policies

• People ops and retention: Onboarding support, performance check-ins, replacement policies

• Pricing clarity: Rate structure, fees, and who handles payroll, benefits, and local compliance

What Are 10 Top Staffing and Recruitment Companies for Hiring AI Engineers?

Now, let’s take a look at the top AI engineer staffing companies (both nearshore & global).   We will compare their key features, pricing and hiring timelines, and who they are best for. 

1) Plugg Technologies — White-Glove Nearshore AI Staffing

Plugg Technologies is a U.S.-based, Latin America-focused partner that helps startups and scaling companies build AI engineering teams at startup speed. Plugg runs a full-service model that covers recruiting, vetting, onboarding, payroll, compliance, and ongoing consultant care. With local expertise across Latin America, clients gain immediate access to high-quality AI talent without the need for months of sourcing.

Key features:

• Pre-vetted network of AI engineers across Latin America: ML, NLP, computer vision, MLOps, and more

• Full-service support: recruiting, onboarding, payroll, compliance, and consultant care

• White-glove retention with proactive check-ins and performance support

• Engineers fluent in English and experienced in U.S.-style agile workflows

• Expertise across top AI stacks: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn, Azure ML, AWS SageMaker

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Typical placements in weeks, not months

• Flexible models: single AI engineer, small pod, or scaling team

• Custom pricing by role and experience

Best for:
Startups and scaling teams that want high-caliber AI engineers quickly with a partner that manages the full talent lifecycle.

2) Turing — Global AI Engineer Marketplace

Turing positions itself as a global talent marketplace that uses AI-powered vetting to match companies with remote engineers. The process emphasizes speed and automation, which suits teams that want to evaluate several candidates in parallel.

Key features:

• AI-driven vetting and matching

• Large global pool of AI and ML engineers

• Trial periods to test candidates

• Flexible contracts for part-time or full-time

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Often days to a couple of weeks

• Pricing varies by role and seniority

Best for:
Teams that want marketplace scale and fast shortlists across regions.

3) Revelo — LATAM Talent with Payroll and Compliance

Revelo focuses on Latin American engineers and combines recruiting with employer-of-record services. This removes the need to set up a local entity for payroll, benefits, or compliance.

Key features:

• Large pre-vetted LATAM network

• Payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance handled for you

• U.S.-aligned time zones and strong English fluency

• Platform to track hiring progress

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Typically 2 to 4 weeks

• Pricing includes salary plus EOR service fees

Best for:
Companies that want a LATAM-only footprint with simple compliance.

4) Near (Hire with Near) — 360 LATAM Staffing

Near hires engineering and AI roles across Latin America and supports onboarding, payroll, and retention. Their pitch focuses on complete people operations, not just recruiting.

Key features:

• End-to-end staffing and HR support

• Strong pipeline of Latin American engineers

• Time-to-hire often within three weeks

• Retention services included

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Competitive LATAM rates plus service fees

• Custom quotes by role and team size

Best for:
Startups that value speed and a single partner for recruiting and people ops.

5) BairesDev — Enterprise-Scale Nearshore Engineering

BairesDev is one of the largest software outsourcing and staffing firms in Latin America, with thousands of engineers across multiple countries. They support AI and machine learning initiatives alongside broader engineering programs.

Key features:

• Large nearshore teams with AI and data skills

• Long delivery history with recognizable clients

• Mature processes for enterprise programs

• Regional presence across several LATAM markets

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Suited to enterprise budgets

• Placements often 3 to 6 weeks depending on scale

Best for:
Enterprises that need scale with consistent processes and governance.

6) Toptal — Elite Freelance AI Engineers

Toptal is known for a highly selective freelance network. It is a good fit when you need niche AI expertise without a long commitment.

Key features:

• Selective network of AI and ML specialists

• Flexible contracts from part-time to full-time

• Strong quality controls

• No-risk trial model

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Premium hourly or project rates

• Fast onboarding, often within days

Best for:
Teams that need pinpoint expertise for defined projects or spikes.

7) Andela — Global AI, Data, and ML Talent

Andela matches companies with AI and data engineers and handles compliance and payments through its platform. It began in Africa and now operates globally.

Key features:

• Platform-driven matching and screening

• AI, BI, and ML roles covered

• Compliance and payouts baked in

• Reported time-to-hire and satisfaction metrics

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Global pricing that may sit above LATAM rates

• Placements usually 2 to 4 weeks

Best for:
Companies hiring across multiple regions beyond Latin America.

8) TECLA — Senior Engineers in U.S. Time Zones

TECLA places senior, English-proficient engineers from Latin America. Emphasis is on quick integration and strong communication.

Key features:

• Senior talent with fluent English

• Vetting for technical and soft skills

• Regional focus on LATAM

• Faster onboarding than many global marketplaces

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Pricing varies by seniority

• Placements often within 3 to 4 weeks

Best for:
Teams that want senior LATAM engineers who can integrate quickly.

9) BEON.tech — Vetted AI Engineers in LATAM

BEON.tech supplies highly vetted engineers with attention to both technical depth and soft skills. That improves collaboration and time to impact.

Key features:

• Rigorous vetting for hard and soft skills

• Regional specialization in Latin America

• AI and ML specialists in the pipeline

• Emphasis on collaboration and culture fit

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Competitive with other LATAM providers

• Placements usually within a few weeks

Best for:
Startups that value communication and culture along with skill.

10) Alcor — R&D Buildouts and Tech Hiring in Eastern Europe

Alcor is not LATAM, yet it is relevant for teams open to Eastern Europe. They specialize in recruitment and R&D center buildouts with payroll and compensation advisory.

Key features:

• Recruitment depth for Eastern Europe

• R&D hub setup and local operations

• Compensation benchmarking and payroll advisory

• Alternative region to consider

Pricing and hiring timeline:

• Custom quotes for recruitment and buildouts

• Timelines vary by scope

Best for:
Companies planning a regional R&D footprint outside LATAM.

Comparison table

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing AI hiring is not only about speed. It is about finding a partner who can deliver vetted talent, fit your workflows, and support retention so your team keeps shipping. If you want real-time collaboration, strong English, and hands-on support, Plugg Technologies is built for you.

Ready to build your AI team? Tell us what roles you need and when you need them. Plugg will propose a right-sized nearshore AI plan with vetted engineers, compliance handled, and white-glove support from day one. Contact us today!