Director of People (gn) @ DeepTech Scale-Up, Berlin or Dresden

We are building the computing infrastructure for the third wave of AI. Our technology delivers highly parallel, real-time processing that goes beyond what conventional systems can do. We are a deep-tech company based in Dresden, working at the frontier of neuromorphic and AI computing and solving genuinely hard problems where hardware meets intelligent systems. The team is growing quickly, and the people we bring in now will shape what the company becomes.

About the Role

This is our first dedicated people hire, and it sits at director level for a reason. You will not be inheriting a function, you will be building and then leading one. You will own the people agenda end to end, from long-term strategy through to the day-to-day, and you will help shape how we hire, develop, and support the team as we scale. This is a rare chance to define the culture and people practices of a deep-tech company from the ground up, as a genuine partner to leadership rather than an executor of someone else's plan.

What you'll do

• Set and own the people strategy, aligned with our growth plans and company values, and act as a trusted advisor to the founders and leadership team
• Build the people function from scratch, including the processes, policies, and governance we need to scale well, and grow and lead a small team over time
• Design and run a long-term hiring strategy, partnering with hiring managers on workforce planning and priorities
• Shape how we attract candidates, including employer branding and candidate experience
• Design and implement performance management, feedback loops, and review cycles
• Lead talent reviews, calibrations, and development discussions across the company
• Turn people data into practical development and retention initiatives
• Own and develop Personio as our central people system
• Run smooth people operations across the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding through to offboarding
• Improve and automate workflows to keep things efficient as we grow
• Build a strong, inclusive, and feedback-driven culture as the company scales
• Coach and support leaders on communication, conflict resolution, and team development

About You

You have built or scaled a people function before and know what it takes to go from nothing to something that works well, then lead it as the company grows. You are just as comfortable setting strategy with the founders as you are sorting out a contract, and you do not wait to be told what to do next. You are at your best in environments where a lot is still being figured out, and you bring calm and structure to them.

• Significant experience in people or talent leadership, typically 8+ years, including time as a senior people partner, head of people, or in a comparable role
• A track record of building or substantially scaling a people function in a growing or complex organisation
• Strong knowledge of the German employment landscape and relevant regulations
• Hands-on with Personio
• Proven experience designing and running performance management and talent development programmes
• Able to operate across the full range, from long-term strategy to hands-on operations, without losing the thread across multiple initiatives
• A calm, structured, and pragmatic approach to problems
• A strong communicator who can influence and advise at every level, including the leadership team
• Fluent in English, written and spoken. German is a strong advantage

Why Join

You would be the first person in this role and the person who defines how our people function takes shape, with real ownership and a direct line to leadership. We are a deep-tech company solving genuinely hard problems, and the team around you reflects that. The environment is flexible and inclusive, and we offer relocation support for the right person, with the choice of being based in Berlin or Dresden. If you want to build and lead something meaningful rather than maintain something that already exists, this is that kind of role.