Head of People & Culture

Company Overview

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and continuous learning. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop have a real-world impact.

Position Overview:

As the Head of People & Culture, you will build and lead all people operations at ACS from the ground up. You will have broad ownership across people operations, performance management, culture, learning and development, and organizational design. This is a highly strategic and hands-on role. You will be the primary partner to leadership on all people-related matters while also building the processes, systems, and policies that enable a high-performance engineering organization.

Success in this role requires excellent judgment, conflict resolution, a bias toward action, comfort operating in ambiguous fast-moving environments, and the ability to support a team of world-class engineers building mission-critical defense systems.

What You’ll Do:

• Build and own all core company culture related processes: onboarding, offboarding, leave management, performance management, compensation structures, employee relations, compliance.

• Develop scalable people processes as the company grows, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment across the organization

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and employees on people issues, team dynamics, and performance expectations

• Ensure all HR operations comply with local, federal, state, and DoD-related employment requirements

• Manage benefits, payroll coordination, and organizational management systems

• Identify training needs and implement professional development programs.

What You’ll Need:

• 7 to 10 years of experience in HR, People Operations, Talent, or related roles

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Psychology, or related field

• Experience building or scaling people processes in a high-growth startup, defense company, or engineering-heavy environment

• Proficiency in HRIS and people operations tools such as BambooHR, Gusto, Rippling, Workday, or Greenhouse

• Strong understanding of employment law, compliance, and HR best practices

• Ability to operate independently with strong judgment and a high ownership mentality

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, ambiguity-heavy environment with evolving priorities

What We Offer

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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