Head of/Director, People Operations
Axion Ray
Location
New York, NY
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
Hybrid
Department
People Ops & Talent
Compensation
- $160K – $195K • Offers Equity
Axion Ray strives to be fair and competitive. We leverage market data from Pave to inform our compensation packages.
About Us
Founded in 2021, Axion Ray is at the forefront of transforming product quality and customer satisfaction in manufacturing. Our cutting-edge AI-powered platform empowers manufacturers to swiftly identify, thoroughly investigate, and effectively resolve quality issues while simultaneously elevating customer experiences and outcomes.
As trailblazers in end-to-end quality intelligence, we're setting new industry standards. Our innovative approach enables industrial, aerospace, consumer, and medtech manufacturers to harness the power of quality and post-market data, driving down costs and boosting business performance.
Our vision extends beyond mere problem-solving; we're committed to reshaping the future of manufacturing. By seamlessly integrating advanced AI technology with deep industry expertise, Axion Ray is paving the way for smarter, safer, and more efficient production processes across diverse sectors.
Backed by leading investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Amplo, Boeing, and RTX Ventures, Axion Ray is poised to lead the quality revolution in manufacturing.
About the Role
Axion Ray is looking for a Head of/Director, People Operations to architect and scale the foundational systems, programs, and cultural rituals that will power our next phase of growth. This is a high-impact, strategic individual contributor role working directly with senior leaders across Product, Engineering, GTM, and Operations.
You’ll build the people infrastructure from the ground up—designing how we hire, develop, and retain world-class talent as we scale from Series A to B and beyond. From performance frameworks to feedback rituals, you’ll help shape the employee experience at Axion Ray and ensure that our culture scales intentionally as our team grows.
Key Responsibilities
Partner with senior leadership to shape org design, performance strategy, talent planning, and engagement as we scale
Design and implement core programs across performance management, onboarding, leveling, promotions, and internal mobility
Act as a coach and trusted advisor to people managers, enabling them to lead high-performing, healthy teams
Reinforce and evolve Axion’s values-driven culture through scalable people systems, rituals, and communication
Collaborate cross-functionally with Recruiting, Finance, and GTM on workforce planning, compensation strategy, and headcount alignment
Drive employee listening efforts via engagement surveys, stay interviews, and exit feedback—translating insights into action
Analyze people data to identify risks, spot trends, and guide strategic decision-making
Create scalable documentation and resources (e.g. toolkits, playbooks) to uplevel people leadership across the organization
Requirements
Led or co-led at least two performance review cycles end-to-end, including calibration, manager enablement, and promotion decisions
Designed and launched at least one foundational people program (e.g. leveling framework, compensation banding, onboarding redesign, internal mobility process)
Advised and coached managers through sensitive employee relations scenarios, including performance conversations, formal warnings, and exits
Partnered cross-functionally with Recruiting and Finance on headcount planning, compensation reviews, and organizational design decisions
Built scalable documentation and toolkits (e.g. manager guides, feedback rituals, process playbooks) that supported organizational growth or improved manager effectiveness
Used engagement or employee listening data (surveys, interviews, exit data) to drive action planning and influence executive decision-making
Effectively operated in an environment with high ambiguity, often as the first or only embedded People leader within a fast-growing team
Preferred Qualifications
Played a key role in helping a company scale from ~50 to 150+ employees
Built or meaningfully shaped a performance, compensation, or promotion framework from scratch
Experience supporting an engineering or technical org, with insight into the unique challenges and rhythms of technical leadership
Familiarity with Series A/B startup environments and the constraints, pace, and creativity required to thrive
Based in NYC or open to working from our Williamsburg HQ at least 3 days/week
What We Offer
Opportunity to shape the People function and build from 0 to 1 during a pivotal growth stage
Work with cutting-edge AI technology making a tangible impact in manufacturing
Collaborative, mission-driven team and supportive executive leadership
Generous time off
Competitive compensation, equity, and benefits
Lunch stipend…and much more!
Ready to shape the future of work at a category-defining AI company?
Apply today to help us build the people systems that power the future of quality intelligence.
Compensation Range: $160K - $195K