Head of Talent Acquisition & People Operations (M/F)

Head of Talent Acquisition & People Operations (M/F)Position: Head of Talent Acquisition & People Operations

Location: 35 rue Gabriel Clerc, 31700 ToulouseContract: CDICompensation: €55,000 - €65,000 base salary + performance-based bonusStart date: Q4 2026About usWe are developing next-generation aerospace propulsion systems to tackle the challenge of decarbonizing aviation.

At the intersection of breakthrough innovation and rigorous aerospace engineering standards, our ambition is to design highly efficient propulsion architectures.To achieve our next technological and industrial milestones, we need to build an elite team of 25 to 50 top-tier engineers and technical experts over the next 12 months (turbomachinery, combustion, aerothermodynamics, acoustics, fluid mechanics, multiphysics modeling, systems integrators, airworthiness, production, industrialization).Job description:We are looking for our future Head of People, who will start by leading the single most strategic initiative for our growth: sourcing, attracting, and hiring our core engineering team, scaling from 15 to 30+.You will act as the right hand to the founders and executive leadership on all human capital matters. Once the team is in place, your role will naturally transition into full People Operations leadership to support the company’s long-term scale-up.Key ResponsibilitiesPhase 1 (Months 1 to 12): Strategic Talent Acquisition & Scaling (~80% of your time)Direct Sourcing & Executive Search: Map talent pools across major aerospace OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, research labs, and deep-tech startups worldwide to proactively headhunt top technical talent.Technical Fluency: Quickly grasp our technological challenges to speak peer-to-peer with propulsion specialists and pitch our engineering vision credibly.Candidate Experience & Employer Branding: Design a fast-paced, highly engaging, and rigorous hiring process from initial outreach through closing.Offer Negotiation & Closing: Successfully negotiate competitive compensation packages (base & bonus) against established aerospace players.Phase 2 (Parallel & Post-ramp-up): People Operations & HR Foundation (~20% ramping to ~80%)Onboarding & Retention: Build a tailored onboarding experience to seamlessly integrate new hires into our engineering culture and accelerate time-to-productivity.People Infrastructure: Establish clear compensation bands, technical career ladders, and performance management/feedback frameworks.Labor Compliance & Employee Relations: Oversee French labor compliance, HR administration, and employee representation bodies (CSE) as headcount thresholds are reached.Culture & Engagement: Foster high standards, team cohesion, and purpose as the company transitions from an early-stage startup into an industrial-scale operation.Required ProfileExperience: 6 to 10 years of experience, ideally combining early training in a reputable executive firm (engineering / deep-tech / industrial) with in-house experience in a fast-growing startup or scale-up.Required skills and qualities:Technical Affinity: Comfortable navigating complex aerospace engineering terminology (gas turbines, aero-mechanics, structural analysis, CFD, etc.) and understanding what motivates experienced R&D talent to leave established corporations.Track Record in Closing: Strong interpersonal skills, grit, and sharp negotiation capabilities to secure niche, highly sought-after candidates.Full-Scope HR Foundations: Solid background in generalist HR practices and French labor regulations, coupled with a genuine appetite to build a People function from the ground up.Languages: Full professional proficiency in both French and English (European candidate sourcing and international working environment), German would be a plus.Why join us?A unique opportunity to join a fast-growing start-up at an early stage and take part in high-impact innovative projects, contributing to responsible and sustainable technological solutions.Help build the team and shape the Viraj Aero culture and identity,Direct, measurable impact on the company’s foundation and technological trajectory.A transparent career path from Lead TA / Talent Acquisition Manager to Head of People / VP HR.An attractive compensation package combining base pay & performance incentivesAn environment where startup agility meets the exacting standards of advanced aerospace engineeringWork in a dynamic environment with rapid prototyping projects and regular interaction between R&D, design, testing and commercial teams.How to apply: Please send your CV and a cover letter to: careers@viraj-aero.com, specifying the position in the subject line.The process is as follows:Introductory call with leadership (30–45 mins).In-depth interview and practical sourcing case study focused on our target engineering roles.Interview with the Chief Technology Officer and founders.Reference checks and final offer.Join us to be part of the Viraj Aero adventure and shape the future of sustainable aviation !