Ask HN: Where to Look When Hiring Hardware / Embedded System Engineer?

We have been struggling when looking for hardware & embedded engineers. The platforms that we've been using to successfully find SWE have not been delivering at all, and it seems that recruiting HWE require a more... hands-on approach?

The only solid leads have come from involved, offline searches: reaching out to makers spaces, reaching out to colleges, privately messaging contributors to certain hardware projects, personal referrals, etc...

Anyone else has observed that? Where is your go to when hiring Hardware / Embedded System Engineer?