Head of People Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era of micromanufacturing with its Matter Compiler™ technology platform. This platform enables new classes of micromachines to be designed and built by providing manufacturing processes and a materials library that are inaccessible to semiconductor manufacturing methods. It unlocks MEMS manufacturing not only for device classes that could never be produced by semiconductor methods, but also for entirely new categories. Furthermore, this digital platform is fully programmable in the way 3D printing is digital—but whereas 3D printing produces parts of a single material using a single process, the Matter Compiler™ technology platform is a multi-process, multi-material system: bits and raw materials go in, and complete, functional micromachines come out. The Atomic Machines team has also created an exciting first device—made possible only through the Matter Compiler™ technology platform—that we will be unveiling to the world soon.

Our offices are in Emeryville and Santa Clara, California.

About the Role:

As the Head of People Operations, you will be a key operational leader and cultural steward, responsible for implementing scalable systems that shape how we work and grow together. You will partner closely with the VP, People & IT and functional leaders to ensure the company's strategy is reflected in our people practices—distilling objectives into clear pillars, annual and quarterly OKRs, team metrics, and individual scorecards that create transparency and alignment across the organization.

You will embed our values and cultural behaviors into every stage of the employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to performance, rewards, and communications—making sure every Atomizer feels connected to the mission and managers lead with consistency and fairness. You'll develop career frameworks, leadership programs, and development pathways that unlock potential at every level, while also building systems that scale as the company grows.

By maintaining a unified playbook for managers, you will help establish clarity on "how we do things here" and ensure the employee experience is consistent, equitable, and inspiring. At the same time, you'll be responsible for monitoring organizational health risks, bringing forward data-driven insights, and advising leadership on decisions that impact people and culture.

Ultimately, your role is to ensure excellence in people operations company-wide—coaching managers, enabling teams, and delivering polished, scalable solutions that elevate the entire organization.

What You'll Do:

• Leadership Collaboration: Proven track record of operating as a key partner to senior leadership. Skilled at influencing strategy and representing the People function as a dedicated business partner.
• Architect and lead the company-wide Learning & Development strategy —secure executive alignment, design career frameworks, and deliver scalable training programs (including manager curriculum and flagship workshops) that empower employees at all levels to thrive in a fast-changing, innovative environment.
• Organizational Health & Engagement: Define survey methodology, set engagement metrics, analyze results, and present findings with actionable plans to leadership. Proactively identify systemic morale or retention risks.
• Performance Management: Design and implement the performance framework (e.g., OKRs, reviews), train managers on evaluation practices, and roll out tools that make feedback equitable and efficient. Serve as an escalation point for complex performance cases.
• Compliance & Risk: Ensure compliance with California labor laws and startup best practices. Partner with legal counsel as needed. Approve policy updates, lead executive-level risk reviews, and directly manage sensitive escalations (e.g., investigations, executive relations).
• Team Leadership: Set the vision, annual goals, and priorities for the People Operations team. Lead, coach, and develop direct reports, unblock challenges, make headcount/resource decisions, and model high standards across the function.
• People Analytics: Define and track key people metrics, create quarterly reports for executives and the board, and synthesize insights into strategic recommendations.

What You'll Need:

• Proven track record of operating as an impactful People leader. Skilled at influencing strategy and representing the People function as a dedicated business partner to senior stakeholders.
• Deeply motivated by getting to know individuals, understanding their aspirations, and helping them succeed. Brings empathy, curiosity, and relationship-building as daily practices.
• Strong understanding of CA labor laws, compliance, and startup-specific HR best practices.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in spreadsheets and HR metrics. Comfortable using data to influence decisions and measure impact of people programs.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including experience advising and influencing senior executives.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize, work under pressure, and consistently deliver on deadlines.
• Proven experience guiding organizations through transitions—including hypergrowth, restructures, and evolving organizational design—while ensuring alignment, stability, and employee engagement.
• Direct management experience with HR/People teams. Skilled at unlocking potential, unblocking challenges, and coaching team members to grow and succeed.
• Ability to work from our Emeryville office daily, with periodic presence in our Santa Clara office (3-4 times per month).
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Management, or a related field.

The compensation for this position also includes equity and benefits.

Salary Range

$215,000—$240,000 USD