Program Manager, People Ops

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.

Valued at $1.6B, we’re accelerating our mission with the launch of Factory 3 in Mesa, Arizona, a 290,000-square-foot facility creating 350 new jobs. We are expanding rapidly to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to expand into naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts.

Hadrian is backed by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, our fast-growing team is united around reindustrializing American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond.

The Role

At Hadrian, we’re not just building autonomous factories — we’re building the teams, systems, and culture that will power the future of aerospace and defense manufacturing. As we scale, the People team plays a critical role in shaping how we attract, enable, and retain world-class talent across both engineering and advanced manufacturing.

Working on the People team at Hadrian means designing and operationalizing the foundation of a company that blends cutting-edge robotics, AI, and precision manufacturing — while supporting a workforce that spans software engineers, machinists, program managers, and everything in between.

We’re looking for builders: thoughtful, action-oriented team members who care deeply about people, process, and performance — and who want to help create a company culture that’s as strong as the infrastructure we’re deploying.

If you’re energized by complexity, mission-critical work, and the chance to shape the trajectory of a generational company from the inside out, we’d love to hear from you.

We are seeking a resourceful and systems-minded Program Manager, People Ops to drive key operational programs across the employee and candidate lifecycle. This role will serve as a cross-functional connector — ensuring that foundational People and Talent processes are efficient, well-documented, aligned with business needs and a reflection of Hadrian’s hyper-growth environment.

You’ll partner closely with HRBPs, Recruiting, People Ops, and functional leaders to streamline workflows, run high-precision programs, and support our mission to scale a high-integrity, high-performance organization. This is an ideal role for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments and brings a bias toward action, structure, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do

• Own end-to-end delivery of People and Recruiting programs (e.g., performance management, headcount planning, interview operations)
• Drive documentation, optimization, and compliance of recurring processes (e.g., PIPs, compensation cycles, engagement surveys, offer approvals)
• Serve as a project manager for key cross-functional initiatives across the People and Recruiting functions
• Build and maintain trackers and templates that support reporting, planning, and operational rigor
• Partner with stakeholders (People Ops, Recruiting, Finance, IT) to support headcount hygiene, systems alignment, and process dependencies
• Support change management efforts including communications, training, and adoption for new tools or workflows
• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and scalability within people and recruiting operations
• Contribute to compliance and audit readiness for areas like hiring approvals, onboarding documentation, or employee file audits
• Provide hands-on support and partnership to recruiters and HRBPs on day-to-day operational issues as needed

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex workflows, competing priorities, and cross-functional stakeholders
• Demonstrated track record of successful program design and implementation across various People & Recruiting initiatives.
• Clear, concise, and compelling communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong bias for action, executing quickly and effectively while maintaining a high standard of excellence.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, leveraging data to inform decision-making and drive improvements.
• Skilled in project management, able to lead cross-functional teams and prioritize competing demands effectively.
• Systems thinker who enjoys solving for efficiency and usability

What Will Set You Apart

• Proven experience with Rippling, Ashby, and other HR tools
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel for data analysis
• Experience working in or supporting regulated industries (aerospace, defense tech, advanced manufacturing)

Compensation

For this role, the target salary range is $130,000 – $195,000 (actual range may vary based on experience).

This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
• 401k
• Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.
• Flexible vacation policy

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.