Director, Total Rewards

About the role

Director, Total Rewards

Apptronik is building the future of human-centered robotics, developing AI-powered systems designed to support people in everyday environments. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is engineered to collaborate safely and effectively with humans, beginning in manufacturing and logistics and eventually expanding into healthcare, homes, and other settings. We are seeking a strategic leader to own the total rewards function and help us attract and retain exceptional talent in a fiercely competitive market.

This role is a founding pillar of our people operations. You will define how Apptronik rewards, develops, and sustains a high-performing workforce. You will own the full strategy and execution of compensation and benefits programs, working closely with Finance, Legal, and People Partners. This position reports directly to the VP of People Operations and is suited for an individual who will shape policy and practice from the outset. Level and scope will be calibrated to your background and the impact you are prepared to deliver immediately.

Key Facts

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Location: USA

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Engagement: Full-Time, People Operations

• Salary Range: $130,000.00 to $180,000.00 USD annually

Core Responsibilities

You will architect and manage the complete total rewards experience for Apptronik. This involves designing structures that ensure internal equity and external competitiveness while clearly communicating value to employees and stakeholders.

Compensation Strategy and Administration

You will establish and maintain our job architecture, leveling frameworks, and salary structures across all critical functions. This includes designing compensation philosophy, managing merit and promotion cycles, and executing equity refresh programs. You will build and refine compensation models, conduct rigorous market analysis using sources such as Radford, and maintain accurate salary bands. Ongoing calibration and clear communication with managers will be central to your role. You will also partner with Talent Acquisition to refine offer strategies and ensure our positioning in the robotics labor market remains compelling.

Benefits Design and Lifecycle Management

You will own the full benefits lifecycle, from initial broker selection and contracting through annual renewals and plan design. This includes cost modeling, proactive benefits administration, and serving as the primary resource for complex employee inquiries regarding coverage and claims. You will continuously evaluate our benefits portfolio to ensure it meets the needs of a high-growth technology company and remains attractive to top talent. Ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and maintaining accurate governance documentation will be a key discipline.

Compliance, Analytics, and Governance

You will ensure that all rewards programs adhere to federal and state regulations, including FLSA, ACA, and ERISA. This involves maintaining plan documents, SPDs, and other required governance materials. You will also build and manage analytical dashboards, conducting pay equity analyses and preparing clear reports that give leadership full visibility into total rewards investment and outcomes.

Required Skills and Experience

Success in this role requires a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in compensation and total rewards, ideally within a high-growth technology or robotics environment. You must demonstrate depth across compensation strategy, equity programs, and benefits management. Your strength lies in translating complex data into actionable insights for Finance, Legal, and board-level audiences. You are a builder who thrives in ambiguous situations, driving execution and owning outcomes without reliance on rigid templates. A strong understanding of legal and regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.

Preferred Experience and Tools

Experience with market data platforms such as Radford is highly valuable, particularly in the context of equity compensation and board-level reporting. Familiarity with HRIS systems and benefits administration platforms will enable you to operate effectively from day one.

Working at Apptronik

You will join a mission-driven robotics company at a pivotal moment in its growth. This is your opportunity to build a foundational people program from the ground up and directly influence the success of groundbreaking technology. We offer a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your expertise will have immediate and lasting impact.

What you'll do

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