Vice President Karman Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Utilidata is a fast-growing NVIDIA-backed AI company enabling AI data centers to dynamically orchestrate power and unlock more compute capacity from existing energy infrastructure. For over a decade, we have applied AI to the electric grid - bringing real-time visibility and power-flow control to complex energy infrastructure. Our Karman platform, built on a custom NVIDIA module, brings that same capability to AI data centers, giving operators a way to better use the power already available to them.
We're bringing talent acquisition (TA) in-house, and we're looking for the person who'll own it. You'll be the lead in-house recruiter at Utilidata, building the function from the ground up and running full lifecycle recruiting across the company, including technical hiring in software, hardware, and firmware. Beyond recruiting, you'll take on organizational development, headcount planning, job architecture, and HR technology, but recruiting comes first - it's why this role exists. We're looking for someone who operates as a peer to managers, directors, and VPs across the company, not a service function, and who's comfortable with the ownership, visibility, and pace that comes with building something new.
Responsibilities

• Run full lifecycle recruitment for technical and non-technical roles, including software, hardware, and firmware engineering, from intake through offer and close
• Build the in-house TA infrastructure that replaces our retained recruiting contract: sourcing strategy, ATS and tooling, interview process and scorecards, employer brand
• Decide when to bring in external recruiting resources for hard-to-fill or overflow searches, and manage that relationship directly
• Act as the go-to thought partner for hiring managers and senior leaders on role scoping, hiring strategy, and candidate assessment
• Bring pipeline forecasting, time-to-fill, and quality-of-hire discipline to a high-growth environment, without adding process for its own sake
• Keep the VP, People & Talent informed on strategy and risk, escalate judgment calls, and own the day-to-day decisions
• Partner with the VP, People & Talent and executive team on headcount planning tied to business milestones, product delivery timelines, and growth targets
• Right-size our job architecture and compensation philosophy as we scale; ensuring every new role is leveled and priced consistently with our existing architecture before it goes to market
• Identify, evaluate, and implement technology that improves the talent and people experience, with a bias toward AI-enabled tools where they create real leverage
• Partner with managers on learning and development efforts, from onboarding through identifying skill gaps tied to organizational growth

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of full lifecycle recruiting experience, including demonstrated ownership of a TA function, in-house or as the senior-most recruiting leader
• Prior experience leading searches for technical talent: software, hardware, and/or firmware preferred
• Experience building TA and People Operations processes, not just executing on them
• Experience recruiting in a high-growth or scaling company
• A track record of operating as a genuine thought partner to senior leaders (director/VP and above), with real examples of how you've earned that trust
• Strong execution orientation. You get things done, and you bring people along - valuing input, collaboration, and clear written and verbal communication as part of how you execute, not a delay to it
• Experience implementing or evaluating HR technology systems, such as an ATS, HRIS, or AI-recruiting tools
• Tech-savvy and AI-first in how you approach the work, with good judgment about where a human touch still matters most
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of time

Enhanced Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• Experience leading organizational development initiatives
• Experience with strategic headcount planning tied to business or product milestones
• Experience refining job architecture, leveling frameworks, or compensation philosophy at a scaling company
• Experience supporting manager-facing learning and development programs
• Additional HR certifications (PHR/SPHR, AIRS)
• Background in deep tech, energy, data centers, or AI infrastructure companies

Salary Range: $160,000 to $210,000 base compensation depending on experience and level, plus stock options. This role spans multiple job levels; final level and compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience.
Location: This position can be performed remotely from within the United States. Preference will be given to candidates based in or around Bay Area, CA or Ann Arbor, MI. Periodic travel to the company's HQ in Ann Arbor, MI and industry events is required.
Our Commitments:
Utilidata values the diversity of our team. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or childbirth, sexual orientation, genetics, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.
We are committed to:

• Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming, supportive, affirming and respectful
• Empowering employees to solve problems and work together to make a difference
• Providing mentorship and growth opportunities as part of a collaborative team
• A flexible work environment with flexible paid time off
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and employer-match 401k