Head of People

Eka • Cambridge, MA

1d

About The Position

Eka Robotics is seeking a Head of People to build and lead its People function. The role partners closely with the leadership team on organizational structure, compensation and rewards, manager development, culture, and People systems that support employees without unnecessary bureaucracy. The successful candidate will bring broad HR experience and firsthand knowledge of the challenges that arise as early-stage startups scale and informal practices need to evolve.

This is a highly hands-on role that combines setting direction and building the function with personally carrying out the work. The Head of People will own day-to-day People operations and advise leadership on organizational and employee matters, while developing practical, scalable approaches to hiring, onboarding, performance, career development, and employee support.

Requirements

• Broad experience across the People function, including People operations, employment and compliance fundamentals, compensation, performance management, organizational design, and manager development.
• Firsthand experience at a fast-growing startup, ideally helping the organization scale through a meaningful stage of growth and change.
• Experience building or materially improving People programs and processes rather than only operating within established systems.
• Strong working knowledge of compensation and equity in a venture-backed company, including the ability to help leadership develop a coherent employee rewards philosophy.
• Experience advising leadership on organizational and employee matters while also working directly with employees and handling day-to-day issues.
• Strong judgment and communication skills, particularly when navigating sensitive or ambiguous situations.
• A hands-on, low-ego operating style and the judgment to know when a growing company needs more structure and when it does not.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in robotics, AI, deep technology, or another highly technical environment.
• Experience helping technical individual contributors transition into first-time management roles.
• Experience supporting international or geographic expansion.
• Experience working with a PEO or similarly outsourced HR infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the leadership team on organizational design, headcount planning, and how teams should evolve as the company scales.
• Refine the compensation, leveling, and rewards philosophy, including salary structures, bonuses, equity grants, and refresh programs.
• Build practical approaches to performance, career development, manager training, and employee growth.
• Help define and strengthen Eka’s culture and employee experience as the company grows.
• Own the day-to-day People function, including HR policies and processes, benefits, payroll, compliance, employee relations, and employee support, working with external partners where appropriate.
• Build lightweight, scalable People systems and work with the talent team to align recruiting and People strategy.
• Develop manager training and support, particularly for first-time managers and technical leaders.
• Advise leadership on employee relations, retention, organizational effectiveness, and other complex People matters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed