Head of People (m/w/d)

Gridmatic is a high-growth startup and a new kind of energy company, delivering affordable, clean power by optimizing renewable energy and grid-scale batteries. With offices in the Bay Area and Houston, we bring together Silicon Valley-style innovation with deep, hands-on expertise in real-world power markets and energy retail.

As solar and wind become the fastest-growing sources of electricity, variability from weather and grid conditions makes energy prices more volatile. Gridmatic tackles this challenge with industry-leading forecasting and optimization-and gives our team the opportunity to work on problems that truly matter. Forecasting and trading energy are the foundation of what we do. We ingest large-scale data-weather, prices, load, and grid conditions-to build probabilistic machine learning forecasts that drive real operational decisions. Our work directly determines when power is bought, stored, or deployed, turning uncertainty into value for customers and the grid.

Our impact is measurable. Gridmatic is the most profitable participant in ERCOT's wholesale market and operates the top-performing battery asset in CAISO. Profitable without venture capital, we offer a collaborative, low-ego environment where rigorous thinking, autonomy, and continuous learning are core to how we work.

We're seeking a strategic and hands-on Head of People to lead our HR and Recruiting functions. This is a critical leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and understands the unique dynamics of a software engineering company. You will be instrumental in building a world-class team and fostering a culture where our engineers and all employees can do their best work.

What you will work on

• People team leadership: Lead a high output People team that supports our growth from 65 employees today to many more in the future.
• HR operations & culture: Oversee all aspects of HR, including compensation and benefits, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, and HR compliance. Champion our company culture and ensure it evolves positively with our growth.
• Talent acquisition: Lead our recruiting efforts, building scalable processes and strategies to attract, hire, and onboard top-tier talent and other critical roles.
• Coaching & development: Provide guidance and support to managers on all people-related matters, helping them build effective teams and develop their leadership skills.
• Engineering team structuring: Partner closely with engineering managers to design and optimize software engineering team structures that promote efficiency, collaboration, and high performance.
• Employee experience: Foster a positive and inclusive employee experience, promoting engagement, efficiency, retention, and professional growth.
• Data-driven decision-making: Utilize HR metrics and data to inform decision-making, identify trends, and measure the effectiveness of people initiatives.

You might be a good fit if you bring

• Leadership: 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, with at least 3 years in a Head of People or similar senior leadership role for a technology company.
• Growth stage experience: Demonstrated experience successfully scaling the HR function for a team that grew from approximately 50 to 500+ employees.
• Expertise with software teams: Deep understanding of software engineering organizations and a proven ability to partner effectively with engineering leaders on team structure, talent development, and organizational challenges.
• Full-cycle HR & recruiting: Strong expertise across all HR disciplines (talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, HRIS, employee relations, learning & development) and a track record of building effective recruiting functions.
• Both strategy & action: Ability to think strategically about people initiatives while also being willing to roll up your sleeves and execute.
• Communication & influence: Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust and influence at all levels of the organization.
• Presence in the office: Ability to work on-site in Cupertino, CA.

Not required, but would be great is you also had

• Certifications in HR
• Experience with teams located in geographically split offices

$230,000 - $260,000 a year

You will also receive Stock Options (ISOs)

Taking care of you today

• Continuing Education Opportunities
• Flexible PTO
• Medical, Dental and Vision plans with competitive employer contributions
• Pre-Tax commuter benefits
• $1500/year non profit donation matching program through Millie
• Home Office Stipend

Protecting your future for you and your family

• 401K contribution match up to 4%
• Company-paid parental leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Stock Option Loan Program

Join our team and make a difference! Click below or email us at [email protected].

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.