
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.
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