Senior Manager, Human Resources

42dot; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

42dot is seeking a hands-on Senior Manager of HR to own the full employee lifecycle for our Silicon Valley team. You will build policies, programs, and processes to support a fast-growing US operation, while aligning with our Korea HQ on global standards.

This is a builder role that blends strategy with execution. You will design and implement California-compliant policies, lead headcount planning, manage compensation, and coach managers on performance and retention.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in an HR leadership role supporting technical or engineering teams.
• Proven experience building HR policies and programs from the ground up in a high-growth environment.
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law and compliance.
• Hands-on experience with compensation, leveling, and market benchmarking (Radford preferred).
• Experience running headcount and workforce planning in partnership with Finance.
• Track record handling complex employee relations matters.
• Workday experience.

Responsibilities

• Build the HR foundation. Assess gaps and deliver a roadmap of U.S. policies and programs (leave, benefits, handbook, onboarding, offboarding) that are compliant with California law and competitive with Silicon Valley tech companies.
• Own headcount planning. Partner with Finance, Recruiting, and department leaders to run a single, disciplined headcount planning process, with clear approval paths so roles are fully approved before recruiting starts.
• Lead leveling and compensation. Maintain the job architecture, leveling guidelines, and salary bands using market data (Radford). Run annual comp reviews and partner with HQ's compensation team on approvals and exceptions.
• Drive performance and development. Run the performance cycle, promotions, and calibration. Coach managers on feedback, development, and retention.
• Handle employee relations. Serve as the lead on investigations, conflict resolution, and sensitive employee matters, with sound judgment and documentation.
• Ensure compliance. Keep U.S. and California employment practices compliant, including leave laws, pay transparency, wage and hour rules, and required training.
• Bridge HQ and the U.S. team. Translate HQ policies and priorities into approaches that work locally, and represent U.S. market realities back to HQ. Coordinate with the AVP division on shared policies where the two teams share a site.
• Manage HR operations. Oversee Workday and HR data, reporting, and people metrics. Manage benefits brokers and HR vendors.
• Lead and develop the team. Manage and grow the HR generalist, and scale the team as the company grows.

Skills

Headcount planning

Policy development

HR leadership

California employment law

Employee relations

Tools

Workday

Job description

We are looking for the best

About Us

42dot is a mobility AI company committed to solving mobility challenges with software and AI. As the Global Software Center of Hyundai Motor Group, 42dot pioneers the future of mobility by advancing the development of software‑defined vehicles.

We develop safety‑first, user‑centric software‑defined vehicle technologies that deliver the latest performance through continuous updates like smartphones. By advancing software and AI technology, 42dot envisions a world where everything is connected and moves autonomously through a self‑managing urban transportation operating system.

About the Role

We're looking for a hands‑on Senior Manager of HR to own the full employee lifecycle for 42dot Silicon Valley. The team is growing fast, and much of the HR foundation is still being built. You'll create the policies, programs, and processes a competitive Silicon Valley employer needs, while working closely with our Korea headquarters to align on global standards. This is a builder role for someone who's comfortable setting strategy one day and rolling up their sleeves the next.

Responsibilities

• Build the HR foundation. Assess gaps and deliver a roadmap of U.S. policies and programs (leave, benefits, handbook, onboarding, offboarding) that are compliant with California law and competitive with Silicon Valley tech companies.
• Own headcount planning. Partner with Finance, Recruiting, and department leaders to run a single, disciplined headcount planning process, with clear approval paths so roles are fully approved before recruiting starts.
• Lead leveling and compensation. Maintain the job architecture, leveling guidelines, and salary bands using market data (Radford). Run annual comp reviews and partner with HQ's compensation team on approvals and exceptions.
• Drive performance and development. Run the performance cycle, promotions, and calibration. Coach managers on feedback, development, and retention.
• Handle employee relations. Serve as the lead on investigations, conflict resolution, and sensitive employee matters, with sound judgment and documentation.
• Ensure compliance. Keep U.S. and California employment practices compliant, including leave laws, pay transparency, wage and hour rules, and required training.
• Bridge HQ and the U.S. team. Translate HQ policies and priorities into approaches that work locally, and represent U.S. market realities back to HQ. Coordinate with the AVP division on shared policies where the two teams share a site.
• Manage HR operations. Oversee Workday and HR data, reporting, and people metrics. Manage benefits brokers and HR vendors.
• Lead and develop the team. Manage and grow the HR generalist, and scale the team as the company grows.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in an HR Business Partner or HR leadership role supporting technical or engineering teams.
• Proven experience building HR policies and programs from the ground up in a high‑growth environment.
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law and compliance.
• Hands‑on experience with compensation, leveling, and market benchmarking (Radford preferred).
• Experience running headcount and workforce planning in partnership with Finance.
• Track record handling complex employee relations matters.
• Workday experience.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and work effectively across cultures and time zone

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at a U.S. subsidiary of a Korean or other Asia‑headquartered company.
• Korean language proficiency.
• Background in automotive, EV, or semiconductor companies.
• HR certification (SHRM‑SCP or SPHR).

Interview Process

Application Review - Coding Test - 1st interview - 2nd interview - Offer Negotiation - Hiring

Compensation

$153,000 - $220,000

Additional Information

We strongly encourage applications from U.S. veterans and candidates eligible for employment preference under applicable laws.

Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Equal Opportunity Statement

42dot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environm