People & Talent Lead

About Critical Loop

Critical Loop is shaping the next generation of energy systems by building the integrated edge grid of the future. Specializing in advanced energy management and battery control systems, Critical Loop empowers businesses and communities to seamlessly unite distributed energy resources for faster, more reliable, and affordable grid access. With deep expertise in grid modernization and a passion for creating resilient, responsive energy solutions, Critical Loop drives innovation at the intersection of technology and energy.

About the Role

As our People & Talent Lead, you will have the opportunity to build and own the full People function from the ground up. Currently at 23 FTE + an equal number of consultants we are set to grow quickly. This is a hands-on role that touches every aspect of the employee lifecycle - from recruitment and onboarding over performance to compliance. We are looking for someone who is passionate about culture and the difference it makes.

You’ll work closely with leadership, managers, and external recruiters to keep our People function running smoothly and to attract and retain exceptional talent. Critical Loop is reimagining how power is delivered - and because our solutions don’t fit the usual molds, our hiring needs don’t either. Many of our roles are niche, technical, and first-of-their-kind.

This is not corporate HR. If your instinct is to write rules and build linear processes, this isn’t for you. If you want to hire, build, coach and raise the bar - keep reading.

Responsibilities:

• Recruiting & Talent Acquisition

  • Manage and execute the end-to-end recruitment process - from sourcing and interviewing to offers and onboarding.

  • Embed yourself into the teams to forecast hiring needs and understand role requirements.

  • Partner with and manage external recruiters to fill key roles.

  • Track and analyze recruiting metrics, continuously improving the hiring process.

  • Support workforce planning efforts, aligning hiring priorities with strategic goals and operational needs.

• People Operations

  • Drive a consistent, high-quality onboarding experience for both remote and onsite employees.

  • Partner with our external accounting firm to ensure payroll is accurate and processed on time.

  • Develop and maintain career frameworks, leveling systems, and performance management programs.

  • Develop and implement benefits programs and people policies to support a growing team.

  • Ensure compliance with employment laws in states where we operate (currently CA, NY, MA, and WA).

• Culture & Development

  • Champion and nurture our company culture, ensuring it evolves thoughtfully as we grow.

  • Lead initiatives that foster engagement, inclusion, and development.

  • Help define and live out our company values in everyday practices and decisions.

Requirements:

• 6+ years of experience in Talent Acquisition, People Operations or HR.

• Proven experience in recruiting and managing full-cycle hiring processes.

• Experience in a startup or fast-growing environment and an understanding of how to scale people processes efficiently.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience working with highly technical roles.

• Working knowledge of employment law and compliance (or strong willingness to learn quickly).

• Passionate about building culture and creating exceptional employee experiences.

• Hands-on and ready to jump in whenever needed for Critical Loop to succeed – even beyond traditional People responsibilities.

Critical Loop is an equal opportunity employer. We're committed to building a diverse team and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.