Job Description
People Operations Manager - ChipAgents
Location: Santa Clara, CA / Santa Barbara, CA
Team: Operations
Reports to: CEO
About ChipAgents
ChipAgents is a fast-growing AI startup transforming chip design and verification. Our AI agents help hardware teams design better chips faster, driving the next generation of computing. Backed by top investors and trusted by cutting-edge semiconductor companies, we’re growing rapidly and building a world-class team.
As we scale, we’re looking for our first People Operations Manager to help build and nurture our company culture, people processes, and employee experience.
What You’ll Do
People Operations & Employee Experience
- Own the full employee lifecycle: onboarding, offboarding, compensation adjustments, and compliance.
- Manage HR systems, employee data, and core people processes.
- Coordinate benefits and payroll administration, partnering with our CEO or payroll provider.
- Lead initiatives to improve employee engagement, retention, and culture.
- Be the first point of contact for employee inquiries and workplace issues.
- Ensure compliance with California labor laws, intellectual property agreements, and immigration needs.
Talent Operations
- Partner with leadership, external staff agencies, and hiring managers to coordinate recruiting operations, including job postings, interview scheduling, and offers.
- Improve our onboarding program to help new hires ramp up quickly and feel connected to our mission.
- Build scalable processes for performance reviews, career leveling, and compensation frameworks.
Culture & Team Experience
- Organize team events, offsites, and internal communications that build a collaborative culture.
- Help maintain a high-performance, inclusive, and transparent culture as we scale.
- Own the office operations in partnership with the CEO (e.g., ergonomics, supplies, perks, facilities vendors).
What You’ll Bring
- 3+ years in People Operations, HR, or related roles, preferably in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Experience owning and improving HR systems and processes.
- Strong knowledge of California employment law, benefits, and compliance.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a passion for helping teams thrive.
- High integrity and discretion with sensitive people data.
- Scrappy, hands-on attitude — you're excited to build things from scratch.
- Bonus: familiarity with tech stacks like Gusto, Deel, or similar.
Why ChipAgents?
- Shape the future of AI in chip design and verification.
- Work with world-class engineers, AI researchers, and semiconductor innovators.
- Competitive salary, equity, and benefits.
- A culture of ownership, transparency, and continuous learning.
Ready to join our journey?
Apply at [ww@chipagents.ai] or reach out to our team directly.