People Operations Director, Hadrian

• We’re looking for builders: thoughtful, action-oriented team members who care deeply about people, process, and performance — and who want to help create a company culture that’s as strong as the infrastructure we’re deploying
• If you're energized by complexity, mission-critical work, and the chance to shape the trajectory of a generational company from the inside out, we’d love to hear from you
• You are passionate about growing your team, implementing best-in-class practices, and making data-driven decisions that align with company goals while also understanding and addressing the human element behind every decision
• Ideal candidates will have experience in high-integrity environments and thrive at the intersection of compliance, systems, and scalable program design, while also having the ability to build high trust with cross-functional leaders to help develop programs that make sense for the business
• 5-10+ years of relevant industry experience
• Strong execution mindset. Resourceful and thoughtful about how to leverage the support around you to get things done quickly
• Balances operational rigor with empathy and employee experience
• Excels at working on open-ended problems and running them down to completion
• Establishes and maintains trust and credibility across all levels of the company
• Strong command of regulatory frameworks with the ability to translate into scalable processes that enhance culture and the employee experience

Desirable

• As we scale, the People team plays a critical role in shaping how we attract, enable, and retain world-class talent across both engineering and advanced manufacturing
• Working on the People team at Hadrian means designing and operationalizing the foundation of a company that blends cutting-edge robotics, AI, and precision manufacturing — while supporting a workforce that spans software engineers, machinists, program managers, and everything in between
• We are looking for a strategic and execution-oriented People Operations Director to lead the development and continuous improvement of our People infrastructure and overall People Ops strategy
• This leader will own the systems, processes, and compliance backbone of the HR function — ensuring our programs scale with the business, align with complex compliance requirements, and provide a smooth experience for employees and managers
• This role combines strategy and execution -- you will work hands-on with your team to optimize HR systems, manage escalations, and ensure compliance while driving continuous improvement projects
• This role is critical for shaping a People function that is operationally excellent, data-driven, and built to support a high-performing, mission-driven organization
• You will manage and develop a team, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and support to excel in their roles
• Lead and evolve the People Operations function, including HR systems, compensation operations, compliance, mobility, and data governance
• Partner with Legal, Finance, and Security teams to ensure adherence to labor laws, data privacy standards, and industry-specific regulations (e.g., ITAR, DFARS, SOC 2)
• Oversee HR technology strategy and optimization — including HRIS, ATS, performance, and compensation platforms
• Drive operational rigor in People processes (onboarding, offboarding, leaves, audits, etc.), ensuring efficiency and accuracy
• Lead and mentor the People Ops team, providing structure, coaching, and professional development
• Design and refine internal controls, audit protocols, and SOPs for HR operations and compliance
• Serve as a strategic partner to People leadership in scaling org-wide programs such as performance reviews, compensation cycles, and engagement surveys
• Manage vendor relationships for HR tech and outsourced services (e.g., background checks)
• Develop deep relationships and build trust with key business owners, becoming a strategic thought partner on people-related strategies and engagements
• Build, execute, and regularly assess people processes and programs – catered to topics like feedback, growth, training, leadership development– that drive a high-performance culture
• Utilize people metrics to drive key insights and decisions around the growth and retention of employees