People Operations Manager

About This Role Cyngn is seeking a People Operations Manager to serve as a high‑stakes executor and enforcer of our operational standards. You will be responsible for the mechanical, technical, and legal integrity of our People function. We need a high‑agency professional with the backbone to drive decisive action, optimize our tech stack without external guidance, and maintain the precision required for autonomous vehicle technology. Responsibilities Systems Mastery: Own Rippling (PEO, 401(k), and integrations) as the primary power user, ensuring absolute data integrity and seamless system architecture. Onboarding Excellence: Oversee the technical and administrative logistics of the end‑to‑end employee lifecycle, with a focus on high‑velocity, structured onboarding in a technical environment. Program Architecture: Build and scale automated, legally sound frameworks for Performance Management, Comp Cycles, and Equity. Policy Enforcement: Act as the final authority on HR policies, ensuring company‑wide adherence to standards, safety protocols, and mandates. Compliance: Maintain rigorous compliance with Federal and California labor laws; proactively mitigate risks. Operational Execution: Direct administrative handling of complex employee relations, including leaves, ADA, and terminations. Framework Ownership: Evolve compensation bands and leveling guidelines in partnership with Business Ops. Payroll & Benefits: Manage end‑to‑end processing of payroll and benefits with high precision and attention to detail. Cross‑Functional Partnership: Partner with Recruiting, Finance, and Legal on audits, workforce planning, and export‑control (ITAR/EAR) compliance. Qualifications 6+ years of HR/People Operations experience in a fast‑growing tech environment. Rippling Expert: Advanced, hands‑on experience with Rippling PEO, payroll, and 401(k) administration. CA Labor Law Mastery: Deep functional knowledge of California‑specific regulations and compliance requirements. Extreme Ownership & Resourcefulness: Proven ability to solve complex problems independently and deliver results in high‑pressure environments. The "Enforcer" Mentality: Ability to have difficult conversations, stand your ground, and enforce policies with professional firmness. Strict Organization: High discipline in documentation and file management; you are not okay with things being out of place. Education: BA/BS Degree. Bonus Qualifications Experience with hardware, manufacturing, or robotics teams. Familiarity with regulated or export‑controlled (ITAR/EAR) environments. Experience scaling a startup from mid‑stage to commercial deployment. $110,000 - $150,000 a year #J-18808-Ljbffr Cyngn