People Operations Partner (f/m/d)

Focused Energy is the leading laser-driven fusion company pursuing the most promising path to clean, limitless fusion power. The global company, based in Darmstadt, Germany and the San Francisco Bay Area, has brought together the top scientific and engineering minds using proven technologies to unlock fusion power at commercial scale. Focused Energy is working to unleash the next chapter of economic growth and scientific innovation through the widespread adoption of clean, abundant fusion power.

We are seeking an People Operations Partner to join our People team in Darmstadt. You will be a trusted point of contact for employees and managers, ensuring smooth day-to-day HR operations while also partnering with leadership on people topics. Your first mission will be to stabilize and strengthen the Darmstadt team through reliable HR processes, employee support, and strong compliance. Over time, you will also contribute to broader HR programs and initiatives across Focused Energy globally.

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  Act as one of the primary HR contacts for all employees and managers in Darmstadt, handling day-to-day questions and providing care and guidance.

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  Partner with local leadership to support organizational priorities, employee relations, and performance enablement.

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  Own the onboarding and offboarding process in Darmstadt — from preparing documents and equipment to ensuring a smooth experience.

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  Manage HR operations locally: employment contracts, personnel files, GDPR compliance, payroll input collection, and absence/leave tracking.

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  Collaborate with the HR Ops team in Berlin on payroll, benefits, and systems while serving as the local point of accountability.

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  Provide guidance on employee relations matters with empathy, discretion, and compliance in mind.

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  Support and guide managers through performance reviews, feedback conversations, and career development planning.

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  Foster engagement and culture by organizing and implementing HR initiatives for the Darmstadt team.

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  Contribute to company-wide HR processes and programs — supporting the design, rollout, and continuous improvement of initiatives that enhance the employee experience across all Focused Energy locations.

• 5+ years of HR experience, ideally combining HR operations and HR business partnering.

• Solid knowledge of German labor law and compliance; GDPR familiarity required.

• Experience managing employment contracts, payroll inputs, and employee files with accuracy.

• Able to balance day-to-day operational responsibilities with strategic HR partnering.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust at all levels of the organization.

• Fluent in German and English.

• Comfortable with digital tools (Google Workspace / MS Office); open to adopting HR systems in the future.

• Experience in a startup or international environment is a strong plus.