As our first dedicated HR hire in the US, based in Austin - TX, you’ll build the foundation of our People function and play a key role in shaping how RobCo grows on the ground. With over $58 million from top investors, including Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and experienced business angels, we are growing fast. You’ll support our US teams, partner closely with leadership, and help create a workplace where people can thrive as we scale.

Your responsibilities: 

Recruiting & Talent Acquisition

• Own the full US hiring process, from defining roles to signing contracts.

• Identify and engage great talent through active sourcing supported by data-driven targeting and market insights.

• Shape clear job descriptions, structured interview processes, and a positive candidate experience using consistent evaluation criteria and measurable hiring benchmarks.

• Build a talent pipeline that supports our upcoming growth.

• Be a trusted partner for employees and managers on day-to-day People topics.

• Support the full employee lifecycle: onboarding, development, feedback, and offboarding.

• Provide practical HR guidance and ensure smooth, compliant operations in the US.

• Set up and improve HR processes, tools, and documentation from the ground up.

• Collaborate with our global People team to stay aligned while tailoring solutions to local needs.

• Oversee core People Operations, including payroll, benefits administration, HRIS management, and maintaining accurate employee data.

• Own HR compliance and risk management across federal, state, and local laws, handling employee relations, audits, investigations, and coordination with Finance, Legal, and external partners.

• Build and maintain the US HR infrastructure - policies, handbooks, onboarding, multi-state standards - while tracking key People KPIs to support scalable growth.

• Help create an environment where people feel connected, supported, and excited to contribute.

• Drive initiatives that strengthen team engagement and collaboration across US locations.

• Support learning and development efforts to help our teams grow.

• Contribute to our employer brand and represent RobCo in the local talent market.

• Experience across both recruiting and generalist HR topics

• Comfortable working independently and building processes from scratch

• Strong communicator who builds trust quickly

• Solid understanding of HR best practices; familiarity with US employment basics is helpful

• Hands-on, practical, and proactive in how you approach people and problems

• Experience with payroll processes, employment law fundamentals, and HR compliance in the US

• Strong verbal and written English skills

• Proven ability to operate as the sole HR owner in a scaling environment, driving both strategic and operational HR work and ensuring strong alignment and collaboration with the team in Germany.

• Diverse, responsible, and autonomous work in a dynamic startup.

• Flat hierarchies with an open and direct feedback culture, including a 360° development feedback aiming for holistic professional development.

• You’ll join a supportive, international team: Close collaboration with both US and European colleagues, with plenty of space to learn and shape the journey.

• Shape the people side of a fast-growing, software-defined modular robotics startup.