Director of People Operations

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies make rockets, jets, and satellites 10x faster and 2x cheaper. We use AI and Robotics to automate and scale factories that are globally cost competitive and future-proof from the dramatic skilled labor shortage that is facing the Advanced Industrial Base. Our CEO, Chris Power, discusses the importance of what we're building in this video.

Hadrian works with startups, Primes and Tier 1/2s in all markets to cost-down, scale or otherwise enable them to hit production rates on critical programs in Rocketry, Satellites, Shipbuilding, Commercial and Military aircraft and other core, mission critical industries.

We are a lean but mighty team (and growing!) people that are passionate about building critical infrastructure to support the nation and the advancement of humanity.

We've raised >$200m to achieve this vision, with multiple rounds from Lux Capital, A16Z, Founders Fund, Construct Capital, Caffeinated Capital and more.

Joining the People Team @ Hadrian

At Hadrian, we’re not just building autonomous factories — we’re building the teams, systems, and culture that will power the future of aerospace and defense manufacturing. 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’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.

The Role

We’re looking for a strategic and execution-focused Director of People Operations to lead the infrastructure, systems, and people partnership that power our employee experience. Reporting to the VP of Talent, you’ll oversee all non-recruiting aspects of our People function — including HR Business Partners, HR systems, total rewards operations, compliance, employee lifecycle processes, and internal People programs.

You’ll be responsible for scaling and continuously improving the operational and advisory backbone of the People team, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of a high-performing, mission-driven organization. This is both a strategic and hands-on role — you’ll work closely with Legal, Finance, and Security, manage and mentor a growing team, and deliver programs that are compliant, scalable, and deeply aligned with company values.

You’ll play a key role in shaping a People function that is operationally excellent, data-driven, empathetic, and trusted by leaders across the company.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

People Operations & Systems

• Lead and scale core People Operations functions, including HR systems, compensation operations, compliance, mobility, and data governance.

• Drive operational rigor in People processes (e.g., onboarding, offboarding, leaves, audits), balancing efficiency with employee experience.

• Own HR tech strategy and execution — including HRIS, ATS, performance, and compensation platforms — ensuring systems are well-integrated and future-ready.

• Develop and enforce internal controls, audit protocols, and SOPs aligned with compliance and data privacy standards.

HR Business Partner Strategy

• Build and lead the HRBP team, enabling strong business partnership with functional leaders across the organization.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to leaders on organizational design, team development, employee relations, and performance enablement.

• Champion a culture of accountability, feedback, and growth through scalable programs and ongoing business partnership.

• Ensure HRBPs are equipped with the tools, training, and frameworks to support leaders through all phases of the employee lifecycle.

People Programs & Insights

• Partner with People leadership to operationalize and scale performance reviews, compensation cycles, engagement surveys, and internal mobility frameworks.

• Use people data and insights to identify trends, drive strategic initiatives, and support workforce planning and retention goals.

• Build and manage People programs that support leadership development, feedback, manager effectiveness, and employee growth.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing People Ops and HRBP team, setting clear goals and enabling career development.

• Build trusted relationships across functions to understand evolving business needs and ensure People strategies are aligned.

• Partner with Legal, Finance, and Security to ensure compliance with labor laws, ITAR/DFARS, SOC 2, and data privacy regulations.

• Manage vendor relationships for HR tech and outsourced People services.

Requirements:

• 7–10+ years of progressive People leadership experience, including HRBP or People Ops ownership in a scaling, high-integrity environment.

• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams across People Ops and HRBP functions.

• Expertise in HR systems, compliance, compensation processes, and employee lifecycle design.

• Strong understanding of labor law, regulatory frameworks, and how to build compliant yet employee-centric systems.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills — builds trust across all levels and functions.

• Strong bias toward execution and continuous improvement, especially in fast-moving or ambiguous environments.

Admired Skills:

• Experience scaling People programs across multi-state or global workforces.

• Hands-on experience with tools like Rippling, Ashby, Lattice, or similar platforms.

• Background in cleared, ITAR, or DFARS-regulated environments.

• Experience supporting high-performing technical or manufacturing teams.

Compensation and Benefits

The target salary range for this role is $180,000 to $225,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

This range reflects the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer at the time of this posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as education, certifications, relevant experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and evolving business needs. This range is subject to change as business conditions or compensation structures evolve.

In addition to salary and equity, we offer:

• 100% coverage of platinum medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees

• 401k

• Relocation stipend if you’re moving from outside of LA

• Discretionary vacation policy 

It is the policy of Hadrian Automation, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.