People Operations Generalist

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. The founders include two highly renowned scientists and a long-time entrepreneur and founder of several successful startups. With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply.

We’re seeking an HR Generalist to join our People team and help scale HR operations and programs across our growing international organization. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic, high-growth environments and is excited to build and refine processes that support a diverse, distributed, and technically exceptional team.

You’ll be a trusted partner to managers and employees, providing hands-on support across core HR areas including employee relations, performance enablement, HR operations, compliance, onboarding/offboarding, and people programs. You’ll play a key role in shaping a healthy, high-performing workplace as we scale.

We're building something extraordinary – a place where innovation meets empathy, and where People Operations isn't just a department, but the heartbeat of our organization.

What You’ll Do

- Serve as a first point of contact for employees and managers on HR-related questions, policies, and processes

- Partner with leadership and People team to design and refine key programs related to performance management, organizational engagement, and employee development

- Develop and manage quality core People Operations infrastructure: systems, processes and programs, such as onboarding/offboarding, global mobility, immigration, compliance, leave and HRIS administration

- Support employee relations, helping to resolve issues with empathy, consistency, and sound judgement

- Partner cross-functionally with teams across Recruiting, Payroll, Legal, Finance and IT to integrate people solutions and champion projects

- Deliver an exceptional employee experience for all employees by advocating and modeling our values and by continuously driving improvements and automation to enable growth

- Assess trends, best practices, regulatory changes (federal, state and local) and new technologies - communicate changes in policy, practice and resources

- Prepare and review the HR side of payroll in partnership with accounting on a biweekly and semi-monthly basis, including reviewing new hire information, pay increases, W-4s, direct deposits, benefit changes, paid leaves, garnishments, onetime deductions/reimbursements, and other payroll related data.

- Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership teams, providing data-driven insights and recommendations on workforce planning, organizational design, and talent management

- Lead change management initiatives and support organizational transformation efforts through effective communication and stakeholder management

- Support internal company-wide communications, including drafting and distributing announcements

- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Redwood City office, including vendor management.

Who You Are

- 5+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally in a fast-paced, international startup or tech environment

- Strong understanding of HR operations, employment law, and employee lifecycle processes

- Experience in administering HR programs, such as onboarding and compliance

- Knowledge of payroll processes, compliance and leave administration

- Knowledge of immigration processes and global mobility requirements

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills—you’re approachable, empathetic, and clear under pressure

- Proven ability to navigate employee relations with integrity, maintain confidentiality, and a solutions-oriented mindset

- You're an architect of exceptional employee experiences and believe in well-designed systems and processes

- You have an entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in building something from scratch and maintaining excellence in day-to-day operations

- You're a natural relationship builder and can connect with everyone from entry-level employees to senior leadership

- You see around corners – anticipating needs before they arise and proactively developing solutions

- You're comfortable with ambiguity and excited by the challenge of creating structure in a fast-paced environment

- Preferred: Experience supporting technically oriented teams

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.