Director, Talent Acquisition

At Ouster, we build sensors and tools for engineers, roboticists, and researchers, so they can make the world safer and more efficient. We've transformed LIDAR from an analog device with thousands of components to an elegant digital device powered by one chip-scale laser array and one CMOS sensor. The result is a full range of high-resolution LIDAR sensors that deliver superior imaging at a dramatically lower price. Our advanced sensor hardware and vision algorithms are used in autonomous cars, drones and many other applications. If you’re motivated by solving big problems, we’re hiring key roles across the company and need your help!

ROLE SUMMARY

As our Director, Talent Acquisition, you will lead our workforce strategy and scale our global talent engine. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will partner with executive leadership across Engineering, Operations, G&A, and Sales to translate business goals into a comprehensive hiring plan. This is a hybrid capacity role based in San Francisco, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Talent Strategy: Build and lead a high-performing global recruiting team that focuses on proactive, data-driven hiring.

Executive Partnership: Collaborate with the senior leadership team to align hiring plans with company roadmaps and commercial targets.

Systems & Operations: Partner with People Operations to integrate job leveling, career paths, and compensation frameworks into the candidate experience.

Data & Metrics: Use workforce analytics and predictive modeling to align technical hiring with growth goals, while monitoring pipeline health and hiring efficiency.

Operational Compliance: Ensure consistent, compliant global recruitment processes, including budget management and vendor strategy.

Talent Marketing & Employer Brand: Amplify Ouster's unique narrative to position the company as the premier destination for top talent across Engineering, Sales, Operations, and the Physical AI ecosystem through a compelling, cohesive talent marketing strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS

Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of physical AI, robotics, or deep-tech industries, with experience navigating high-stakes engineering environments.

Strategic Leadership: Proven track record of building and scaling global talent infrastructures from the ground up.

Agile Mindset: Comfortable working in both fast-paced startups and structured, public company environments.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to use recruiting metrics and P&L insights to influence executive leadership.

Influential Communication: Exceptional ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and communicate complex data as a compelling narrative.

Experience: 10+ years in talent leadership, with at least 4 years at a Director or senior management level in high-growth, complex organizations.

BONUS QUALIFICATIONS

Foundational Builder Experience: Experience as an initial TA leader (or "founding" head of recruiting) in a high-growth environment, demonstrating the ability to build, iterate, and scale infrastructure from scratch.

Deep-Tech Recruiting Fluency: Prior success recruiting for hardware, robotics, or physical AI, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex R&D talent needs into commercial impact.

Public Company Operational Rigor: Deep operational fluency in public company environments, including sophisticated management of equity programs, SOX compliance, and highly transparent compensation structures.

Global Scaling: Proven track record of scaling recruiting frameworks and operational workflows across international, matrixed organizations.

The base pay will be dependent on your skills, work experience, location, and qualifications. This role may also be eligible for equity & benefits. ($200,000-$265,000)

We acknowledge the confidence gap at Ouster. You do not need to meet all of these requirements to be the ideal candidate for this role.

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