Director of People

About the Role:

Atomic Machines is at an exciting inflection point. As we scale beyond 250 employees and continue expanding across multiple locations, we’re looking for a strategic builder to design and lead the next generation of our People Operations function.

This role owns the employee experience across the full employee lifecycle—from onboarding through offboarding—while building the operational infrastructure, systems, and programs that allow our company to scale thoughtfully. You’ll lead People Operations, People Programs, HR systems, and employee experience initiatives while partnering closely with our HR Business Partner, Head of Strategic Growth, IT, and executive leadership to ensure our people infrastructure evolves alongside the business.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who loves creating from the ground up. You’ll evaluate new technologies, modernize processes, implement scalable systems, and design programs that support a diverse workforce spanning engineering, operations, research & development, manufacturing, and corporate functions across multiple locations.

We’re looking for someone who embraces AI and modern technology as force multipliers, balancing operational excellence with thoughtful automation and continuous improvement.

This role reports to the VP of People and partners regularly with senior leadership, including the CEO.

What You’ll Do:

People Operations

• Own the end-to-end employee lifecycle, including onboarding, offboarding, payroll, benefits, leave administration, immigration, compliance, and HR operations.
• Lead the transition of benefits and payroll from our PEO to in-house administration.
• Design scalable operational processes, documentation, and governance that support a rapidly growing organization.

People Programs

• Build and continuously improve programs supporting performance management, employee development, compensation administration, engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
• Partner closely with the HR Business Partner and Head of Strategic Growth to ensure programs align with business priorities and organizational growth.

People Systems & AI-Forward Operations

• Evaluate, implement, and optimize HRIS and People technology that enables scale.
• Champion thoughtful adoption of AI-enabled tools and workflows to improve efficiency, employee experience, reporting, and operational excellence.
• Continuously assess new technologies and automation opportunities while maintaining strong data integrity and governance.

Employee Experience

• Design and oversee a consistent employee experience across all Atomic Machines locations.
• Partner with People, IT, security and workplace teams to ensure employees have the systems, support, communication, and resources needed to thrive.
• Oversee office operations across all our locations, including reception. Collaborate with Real Estate and Facilities to ensure that security, janitorial, and food programs are well executed.
• Provide strategic leadership for office operations, including workplace safety, reception, and office management across all locations.

Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the People Operations team.
• Establish priorities, operating rhythms, quality standards, and scalable processes across People Operations.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Research & Development, IT, Finance, and executive leadership.

What You’ll Need:

• 10+ years of progressive People Operations leadership experience, ideally scaling a startup or high-growth technology company.
• Experience designing and building People Operations infrastructure, programs, and systems from the ground up.
• Experience leading benefits, payroll, compliance, HRIS implementation, and operational process design.
• Demonstrated success implementing scalable HR technology and thoughtfully leveraging AI-enabled tools.
• Strong understanding of employee lifecycle management, People programs, and operational excellence.
• Experience supporting highly technical organizations, including engineering, manufacturing, operations, and research & development environments.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law; multi-state experience is a plus.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence leaders while remaining hands-on and execution-oriented.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing People Operations teams.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Ability to work primarily onsite in Emeryville with regular presence across our other Bay Area locations.