People & Culture Leader
On-Site in Chicago, IL
Posting Date: June 26th, 2026
Who We Are
At Caliber Engineering Solutions, we specialize in offering streamlined solutions to the challenges faced by companies in the utility and power distribution industries. We achieve this by blending engineering expertise, efficient project management, and a commitment to continuous process improvement to ensure top-tier power system solutions.
We believe our employees are our greatest asset, and they are at the heart of our success. By empowering our people, we empower our company, positioning ourselves for long-term growth and achievement.
When you join Caliber, you become part of a dynamic startup, entering a supportive and forward-thinking team that prioritizes quality, efficiency, improvement, and sustained success.
Your Role as a People & Culture Leader
We are seeking a People & Culture Leader who is genuinely passionate about people — not as a professional obligation, but as a conviction. You will own our culture and the day-to-day experience our team has at Caliber. You will build and strengthen it as we scale.
This is not a traditional HR role. Real ownership, real visibility, no bureaucracy. If you have spent 5–7 years doing this work in fast-moving, technical environments, and you are ready to build something that matters, this role is for you.
We have ambitious goals and a clear direction. What we do not have is a blueprint for the people function that will get us there, because that is exactly what we are hiring you to create. We are not looking for someone to follow a path. We are looking for someone to build one.
Key Responsibilities
The full people function — every touchpoint an employee has with Caliber, from first contact to every chapter of their time here. If it affects how someone experiences working here, it is yours. As the company grows, the scope of this role will grow with it.
- Full employee lifecycle — recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and offboarding, executed with consistency and care
- All people operations — benefits, payroll, expenses, timesheets, records, and the systems that run them
- Employee engagement, employer brand, and culture programming — owning how Caliber shows up externally and how the team feels internally by planning company outings, coordinating celebrations, and finding ways to keep the team connected.
- People data and reporting — metrics that give leadership a real-time, accurate picture
- Policy and process — building frameworks the team can rely on as the company evolves
- Marketing and brand — supporting brand consistency and helping shape Caliber’s external presence, including website content, social media, and sales enablement materials
The Ideal Candidate
- Startup experience during rapid growth where the people function was yours to shape
- Proven ability to earn trust with engineering, technical, or project delivery teams
- Background in utilities, energy, power distribution, construction, or infrastructure — strong preference
- Comfortable in the gray — you make sound judgment calls when no playbook exists, and you build the framework as you go
- A genuine team player who earns trust across the business, from field engineers to executive leadership
- Creative, innovative, and accountable. You own outcomes, not just tasks.
- Comfortable in a tech-enabled environment — hands-on experience with digital tools and AI applications; familiarity with Rippling, Microsoft 365, and no-code/low-code platforms such as Airtable is a strong plus
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Psychology, Human Resources or a related field. Degrees in other disciplines that develop strategic and analytical thinking are also welcomed.
- 5–7 years of experience in a people-focused role, with a track record of building and scaling rather than just maintaining.
- Startup experience during a period of rapid growth, where the people function was yours to shape.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities across multiple workstreams, with strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to earn trust across a business, from field and technical teams to executive leadership.
- MBA, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or advanced degree preferred.
Compensation
The anticipated total compensation range for this position is $105,000 – $130,000 annually which includes base salary and an estimated discretionary bonus. The final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, and qualifications.
Benefits
Caliber Engineering Solutions offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the whole person — professionally and personally. Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off and company holidays
- A collaborative, growth-oriented team culture where your contributions are visible and valued
Equal Opportunity Employer
Caliber Engineering Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.