HR Director

Role Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Director of Human Resources to build and scale the HR function for a highly technical, innovation-driven organization. This role will establish the people infrastructure required to support rapid growth, protect intellectual property, and enable a high-performance culture across globally distributed teams.

Experience in technology, advanced engineering, regulated, or innovation-driven industries such as AI, semiconductors, medical devices, aerospace, robotics, clean tech, or similar environments.

The ideal candidate has experience supporting engineering-heavy organizations, understands the demands of R&D-centric environments, and has successfully implemented HR structure, policies, and annual focal processes in complex, international settings.

Key Responsibilities

 HR Foundation & Organizational Scaling

• Design and implement a scalable HR operating model from early-stage through growth
• Build core HR processes across the employee lifecycle (onboarding, performance, development, transitions)
• Select and deploy HR systems (HRIS, performance management, compensation planning tools)
• Partner with executive leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and scaling strategy

Policies, Compliance & Risk Management

• Create and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks suitable for regulated, IP-driven environments
• Ensure compliance with employment laws across the U.S. and international jurisdictions
• Partner with Legal on IP protection, confidentiality, invention assignment, and employment agreements
• Manage employee relations matters with professionalism, consistency, and business judgment

Performance Management & Annual Focal

• Own the design and execution of the annual focal process, including:
• Performance review frameworks for technical and non-technical roles
• Compensation, bonus, and equity planning
• Promotion, leveling, and career architecture
• Partner with Finance and leadership to ensure market-competitive, equitable compensation practices
• Enable managers with tools and training for effective feedback, performance differentiation, and talent development

 Global & International HR Operations

• Support a globally distributed workforce across engineering, research, operations, and commercial functions
• Manage international hiring, onboarding, benefits, and compliance
• Work with PEOs, EORs, and global advisors to support expansion into new regions
• Balance global consistency with regional flexibility and local labor requirements

Talent, Culture & Leadership Enablement

• Help define and scale a culture rooted in innovation, accountability, collaboration, and execution
• Build onboarding programs that accelerate productivity in technical and regulated environments
• Support leadership development, particularly for first-time managers and technical leaders
• Act as a trusted advisor to executives on organizational health, engagement, and retention

 Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive HR leadership experience in technology, deep-tech, or advanced engineering environments
• Demonstrated success building HR functions and policies from scratch
• Direct ownership of annual focal / performance and compensation cycles
• Experience supporting engineering, R&D, or scientific teams
• Strong international HR experience, including multi-country compliance
• Deep understanding of employment law, compensation structures, and HR best practice

Preferred Experience

• Experience in fast-growing startups or scale-ups (Series A–C or equivalent)
• Familiarity with equity compensation, retention strategies, and competitive technical labor markets
• Experience working closely with founders, executive teams, and boards
• Background in regulated or IP-sensitive industries

What Success Looks Like

• A scalable and compliant HR foundation that supports rapid innovation and growth
• Clear, well-adopted policies across global teams
• A credible, transparent, and well-run annual focal process
• Strong engagement, retention, and development of critical technical talent

Salary Range

$150,000 - $200,000 Base Annually 
The final offer will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and location.