Director, People Business Partner - U.S.

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip-scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high-resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price. Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, drones and many other applications. If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

ROLE SUMMARY

Ouster is seeking an HRBP to lead the U.S. function. You will be a hands-on builder, partnering with executive leadership to scale our organization, design talent frameworks, and align people strategy with our technical and commercial goals. You will report to the Chief People Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a thought partner to senior leaders across Engineering, Sales, Operations, and G&A to align people strategies with business milestones.
• Diagnose leadership dynamics and performance gaps, proactively coaching executives and implementing custom solutions to address friction before it impacts business outcomes.
• Architect and implement structural solutions, such as team re-organizations and operating model evolutions, that anticipate business needs independent of immediate requests.
• Establish succession and talent planning frameworks for critical roles, ensuring leadership readiness with a regular review cadence.
• Define business needs and collaborate with Centers of Excellence (COEs) and People Experience partners to deliver integrated solutions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8-10 years of relevant experience in HR, consulting, or business partnership, with a proven track record of building HR functions from the ground up.
• Proven ability to move from ad-hoc processes to repeatable, scalable playbooks in high-growth or complex environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational design and aligning operating models with commercial goals.
• Ability to analyze trends and develop actionable recommendations based on data.
• Experience using data to tell compelling stories that influence executive decision-making.
• Ability to coach senior executives through critical change management and team dynamics.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and operating effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. employment law and multi-state compliance.

BONUS QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as an initial HRBP hire in a high-growth company.
• Experience partnering across diverse organizational functions (Finance, Legal, Ops) to enable cross-functional problem solving.
• Experience in public companies (equity, SOX, high-transparency comp).
• Demonstrated ability to work within constraints to challenge the status quo.
• Experience in the hardware technology, autonomous vehicle, or robotics industries.
• MBA or MA/MS in Organizational Psychology, Organizational Development, or related field.

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($185,000 — $255,000)

We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.

Ouster is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that pursues and hires a diverse workforce. Ouster does not make employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ouster also strives for a healthy and safe workplace, and prohibits harassment of any kind. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Ouster considers qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.