Talent & People Operations Lead

The Role: This is not a traditional 9-to-5 desk based HR job, but that of a Culture Builder as a Talent and People Lead. We are a fast-moving deep-tech startup building a high-performance team. We need a People Operations Lead who can wear two hats: Be the engine for Talent Acquisitions and also the architect for People Operations. You will set the strategic foundation for our People team, with a wide canvas that encompasses culture, engagement models (policies), and setting the operational framework.

What You Will Do:

• Talent Acquisition (Primary Focus): Manage the end-to-end recruitment cycle for niche engineering roles (aerospace, edge computing, propulsion). You won't just post on LinkedIn; you will search for new talent in universities, alumni networks and communities.
• HR Tech Setup: You will implement and own the fully digital and AI enabled HR stack for ATS (like Zoho Recruit) & HRMS (like Zoho People) to streamline attendance, leave, candidate and onboarding workflows in a seamless manner. You will need to utilise technology for a holistic people engagement and 360 degree performance management systems.
• Compliance & Policy: Set up policies and implement an initial Employee Handbook, set up POSH committees, and ensure statutory compliance (PF/ESIC/PT/LWF) for a growing team.
• Office Administration: Manage the physical workspace, vendor procurement for workplace needs, and daily logistics to ensure the engineering team runs without friction.

Note:There will be a probation period for this role.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience: 3–6 years in HR Generalist or Talent Acquisition roles, preferably in a Technology Startup or Engineering-focused company.
• Tool Proficiency: Hands-on experience implementing or managing ATS & HRMS (like Zoho Recruit and Zoho People) is mandatory.
• Traits: High ownership. You are comfortable interviewing a Senior Engineer one hour and negotiating with vendors for office supplies the next.
• Education: MBA in HR or equivalent degree preferred.

Skills & Abilities: We are looking for -

• A person who thrives in the zero-to-one phase, which requires a multidisciplinary builder ethos with a bias for action.
• A foundational understanding of employment law and talent acquisition.
• A systems thinking ability required to architect scalable frameworks and the operational grit to execute them.
• A high-EQ communicator who can navigate the nuances of a high-performance deep-tech environment, acting as a trusted partner to leadership and a champion for the team.
• A product-mindset toward People Ops, where you treat our culture and internal processes as a constantly evolving product, striving for continuous betterment.
• We value radical prioritisation - the ability to switch seamlessly from high-level cultural strategy to the granular details of a contract.

Application Requirement (Mandatory): Please attach a clear and concise cover letter telling us why you are a fit for this role, and the value you bring to the four primary job requirements required to be carried out.

The Rewards:

• Accelerated Growth: You are entering at the Ground Floor. As we scale, you will likely transition from a hands-on HR Manager to the Head of People Operations. The runway is clear for take-off.
• Impact: You aren't just filling seats; you are hand-picking the team that will build next-gen aerospace technologies.

Compensation: Competitive Market Salary + Generous Performance-Based Incentives + Founding Team opportunity i.e. potential ESOPs participation for high impact contributors.