HR Business Partner - Darmstadt

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. The founders include two highly renowned scientists and a long-time entrepreneur and founder of several successful startups. With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply.

We are seeking an HR Business Partner to join our People team in Darmstadt. As the only onsite HR, you will be the 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.

What you’ll do

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 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.
  

Who you are

• 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.

Why join us?

At Focused Energy, you’ll be part of a team that is not only advancing groundbreaking science, but also building a workplace where people matter. As the HR Business Partner for our Darmstadt office, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the employee experience, stabilizing local operations, and supporting leadership. For someone who thrives on variety and responsibility, it’s a unique opportunity to grow from being the local HR lead into a broader role contributing to global HR programs as we scale.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.