Head of People

Picogrid•El Segundo, CA

7d•$160,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Picogrid is seeking a Head of People to build and own our people function as we scale. As our first dedicated People hire, you'll establish the systems, processes, and operating cadence that support the entire employee lifecycle while partnering closely with leadership on performance management, organizational design, and workforce planning. We're looking for a self-driven builder who enjoys solving problems, improving processes, and taking ownership. You'll lead everything from onboarding and employee relations to HR operations, compliance, and employee experience, creating the foundation that allows the company to scale without adding unnecessary complexity.

Requirements

7+ years of progressive experience in People Operations, Human Resources, or HR Business Partner roles, including experience in high-growth startup environments.
Demonstrated success building and scaling highly effective people programs with strong retention across compensation, performance management, onboarding, employee relations, and benefits.
Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws with the judgment to navigate complex employee situations while balancing business and employee needs.
Experience building scalable people processes, maintaining HR systems, and using data to improve decision-making and operational efficiency.
Exceptional organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and execute in a fast-paced environment.
Comfortable operating with ambiguity, taking ownership of new initiatives, and building processes where none previously existed.

Nice To Haves

Experience as one of the first People hires or helping build the People function at an early-stage or growth-stage startup.
Track record of improving operational efficiency through thoughtful systems, automation, and process design rather than adding unnecessary complexity.
Experience supporting technical organizations with aggressive hiring goals while maintaining a high hiring bar and strong employee experience.
Familiarity with defense technology, aerospace, hardware, manufacturing, or another highly technical industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end employee lifecycle, including onboarding, performance management, compensation, benefits administration, employee relations, and offboarding.
Own recruiting operations, partnering with hiring managers and recruiters to scale hiring while maintaining a high hiring bar.
Build and scale the company's people infrastructure, including policies, processes, documentation, and operating procedures.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws while maintaining HR best practices.
Own the company's HRIS, employee records, people reporting, and HR operations, ensuring accuracy and operational excellence.
Own performance management, employee development, and manager coaching across the organization.
Own employee experience initiatives that reinforce a high-performance culture while preserving what makes Picogrid unique.

Benefits

Base salary range: $160,000 - $200,000 per year plus performance incentive.
Significant stock options with a high potential upside as an early-stage company
401(k) with employer matching
Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
Unlimited PTO (two-week minimum) and 11 paid holidays per year
Paid parental leave for both parents
Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
Free EV charging at the HQ
Unique office in El Segundo, CA stocked with quality coffee, snacks, and craft beer