Director of People Operations

At Valar Atomics, we're redefining what's possible in energy. Our mission is to make clean, high-temperature nuclear power scalable—unlocking abundant energy for industry, hydrogen, and next-generation manufacturing. We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe nuclear energy should be fast to deploy, factory-made, and built for the real world. Our first pilot plant in Orangeville, Utah will demonstrate how advanced nuclear systems and fuel fabrication can power the future. Joining Valar Atomics means becoming part of a company where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. The Role Valar Atomics is seeking an Director of People Operations to build, implement, and scale the people systems, policies, and processes that support our rapidly growing organization. This role serves as the operational backbone of the Human Resources function and will work closely with company leadership to ensure the company can continue scaling efficiently while maintaining a high-performance culture. This is not a traditional HR role focused solely on employee relations or administration. We are looking for a builder who enjoys creating structure where little exists, developing scalable processes, and helping leaders navigate the challenges that come with rapid organizational growth. The Director of People Operations will own core HR operations, compliance, performance management, employee relations, workforce planning, compensation administration, and employee lifecycle programs while helping establish the foundation for a world-class people organization. This is a fully on-site role based in Torrance, California. Key Responsibilities Own and manage day-to-day HR operations across the employee lifecycle. Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks. Partner with leadership on employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. Administer performance review cycles, goal-setting processes, and employee development programs. Manage employee onboarding, offboarding, and orientation processes. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers regarding workplace policies and employee matters. Support compensation administration, salary benchmarking, and promotion processes. Partner with recruiting to support workforce planning and organizational growth initiatives. Manage leave administration, accommodations, and other employee programs. Maintain HR systems, employee records, and reporting infrastructure. Develop and track key people metrics and workforce analytics. Support organizational planning and headcount forecasting activities. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability across HR processes. Help preserve and strengthen Valar's culture during periods of rapid growth. You Will Be Successful in This Role If You enjoy building systems, processes, and infrastructure from the ground floor. You thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments where priorities change quickly. You are highly organized and capable of managing multiple competing priorities. You balance employee advocacy with sound business judgment. You can confidently navigate difficult conversations while maintaining professionalism and trust. You identify problems proactively and develop practical solutions before issues escalated. You are comfortable operating with ambiguity and creating structure where little exists. You have strong attention to detail and consistently follow through on commitments. Basic Qualifications 8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience. Strong working knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance requirements. Experience managing employee relations, performance management, and HR operations. Experience developing or improving HR policies, programs, and processes. Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills. Excellent organizational and project management abilities. High level of discretion when handling confidential information. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization. Based in or willing to relocate to Hawthorne, CA. Preferred Skills and Experience Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification. Experience supporting high-growth startup or scaling organizations. Experience in manufacturing, aerospace, defense, energy, construction, or other industrial environments. Experience implementing or managing HRIS platforms and people systems. Familiarity with compensation benchmarking and workforce planning. Experience supporting both salaried and hourly employee populations. Experience helping organizations scale from approximately 100 employees to 500+ employees. Strong understanding of organizational development and talent management practices. What We Offer Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy company Free daily lunch and dinner provided onsite High-impact startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy Opportunities for rapid career growth and internal advancement Direct collaboration with experienced operators, engineers, and industry leaders The opportunity to help build and scale transformative energy technology from the ground up Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Valar Atomics is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment and will provide reasonable accommodation as required by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr