Director, People

The Nuclear Company is the fastest growing AI tech-enabled startup in the nuclear and energy space, pioneering a fleet-scale approach to building the next generation of nuclear reactors. Through our design-once, build-many model, we're accelerating the deployment of safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. We operate with an AI-first mindset.  Every employee is expected to leverage AI, technology, and the Nuclear Operating System (NOS) as integral components of their role to improve the quality, speed, and impact of their work. We expect every team member to continuously identify opportunities to automate workflows, enhance decision-making, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NOS as a strategic operating capability that enables The Nuclear Company to scale with excellence. We hire people who are driven by purpose, thrive in ambiguity, and are energized by building what has never been built before.  Our team combines intellectual curiosity with high agency, embraces candid feedback and continuous learning, and holds themselves and others to exceptional standards. Our values— Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappiness, and Tenacity —guide how we hire, collaborate, and make decisions every day. They are not words on a wall; they are the standard by which we operate. TRUST is the foundation of our safety culture, fostering intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, while our values challenge every team member to execute with urgency, humility, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. About the role We're looking for an Director of People who can operate on two levels at once: as the trusted, on-the-ground HR partner for our DC office and designated client/customer groups, and as the architect of how our HR function scales — including how we responsibly integrate AI agents into our org structure to extend our team's capacity. This is a hybrid role for someone who is equally comfortable coaching a manager through a difficult conversation and defining the guardrails an AI agent operates within.   Responsibilities HR Business Partnership   Serve as the primary HR point of contact for the DC office and assigned internal customer groups   Advise managers and leaders on performance management, employee relations, organizational design, and talent planning   Interpret and apply company policy consistently; manage sensitive employee relations matters with sound judgment and appropriate confidentiality   Drive engagement, retention, and culture initiatives specific to the DC office   Partner with Talent Acquisition and Legal on cross-functional initiatives affecting your client groups   HR Technology Ownership   Own the HR technology stack end-to-end: HRIS, ATS, payroll integration, LMS, and any people-analytics tooling   Set the roadmap for HR systems, evaluate and select new tools, and manage vendor relationships and contracts   Ensure data integrity, system security, and compliance across all HR platforms   Partner with IT/Security on access controls, integrations, and data governance   AI Strategy & Agent Management   Develop and own the strategy for how AI agents supplement HR work — identifying which tasks are appropriate to delegate to agents versus which require human judgment   Design the operating model for AI agents as part of the org structure, including scope of authority, escalation paths, and performance oversight   Act as the accountable human owner for AI agent(s) reporting into this role: setting objectives, reviewing output quality, and course-correcting behavior   Establish guardrails for data privacy, bias mitigation, and compliance in any AI-supported HR process   Build change management plans to help the broader team adopt AI-supported workflows with confidence rather than anxiety   Continuously evaluate new AI tools/agents and make build-vs-buy-vs-expand recommendations   Experience 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including generalist/business partner work and HR systems ownership   Demonstrated experience managing or implementing HR technology (e.g., Workday, ADP, BambooHR, Greenhouse, or similar)   Direct experience with, or strong point of view on, applying AI/automation to HR operations   Excellent judgment handling confidential and sensitive employee matters   Strong stakeholder management skills — comfortable being the HR face for both an office and specific customer groups   Experience managing people and/or non-human resources (workflows, vendors, or agents) toward measurable outcomes   SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification a plus   Benefits Competitive compensation packages 401k with company match Medical, dental, vision plans Generous vacation policy, plus holidays Estimated Starting Salary Range The estimated starting salary range for this role is $178,000- $204,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company’s discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.  EEO Statement The Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination. Export Control Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technol