Job OverviewYou will be TerraFirma's first dedicated HR hire, helping build the people function as we scale across engineering, field operations, and manufacturing. You'll utilize and improve upon what's already in place, including Rippling, while designing the systems, policies, and practices that support the company going forward all while handling the immediate, hands-on HR needs of a fast-growing company today.
Responsibilities- Take full ownership of TerraFirma's HR function, including existing infrastructure (Rippling) and the processes, policies, and practices that need to be built around it
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations, benefits administration, and day-to-day HR support across all teams
- Partner directly with leadership and hiring managers to support workforce planning, org design, and compensation structure as the company scales
- Ensure compliance with employment law, safety regulations, and labor requirements across a workforce that includes both office and field/manufacturing personnel
- Design and roll out performance management, career development, and employee engagement programs appropriate for a fast-scaling startup
- Manage leaves of absence, workers' compensation, and other field-operations-specific HR needs unique to a hardware and construction environment
- Support the recruiting team on offer structuring, compensation benchmarking, and closing candidates
- Build a people-first culture that reflects TerraFirma's mission and operating standards, from the office to the job site
Basic Qualifications- 5+ years of HR experience, including employee relations, compliance, and HR program ownership
- Demonstrated experience building or significantly shaping HR processes and infrastructure, not just operating within an existing system
- Strong understanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements in Texas
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across a workforce ranging from engineers to field operators
Preferred Skills & Experience- Experience as a founding or early HR hire at a startup or fast-growing company
- Experience supporting a workforce that includes both office-based and field/manufacturing/construction personnel
- Familiarity with HR needs specific to construction, manufacturing, or hardware companies (e.g., workers' comp, field safety compliance, union or apprenticeship considerations)
- Hands-on experience with Rippling or a similar HRIS platform
- PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SCP certification
Additional Requirements- Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities
- Must be willing to relocate to Austin, TX if not within commuting distance
- Must be willing to work extended hours when needed to support critical hiring or employee-relations needs
