People & Culture Advisor at SunDrive Solar

People & Culture, Full Time, Sydney (Kurnell), NSW sydney full-time
Description
Posted 8 days ago

About Us

SunDrive is an Australian solar technology company turning world-leading science into real-world impact.

Founded in a Sydney garage in 2015, when our co-founder Vince Allen paused his PhD to pursue a bold idea, we set out to make solar more powerful, affordable, and sustainable. Today, that same drive fuels a company operating at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing and materials science.

Our breakthrough solar cell technology replaces silver with industry-first direct copper plating: swapping one of the most expensive materials in solar for something abundant, cost-effective, and sustainable. We set a world record for solar cell efficiency in 2021 and built the world’s first fully automated copper-plating line at our Kurnell facility, proving scalability.

Backed by leading VCs and government agencies and punching above our weight in partnering with global PV partners, we’re now at the forefront of a generational shift in clean-energy manufacturing and driving industrial-scale deployment.

If you want to work somewhere ambitious, collaborative, and deeply technical, where science meets impact, we’d love to hear from you.
 
About the Role:

As our People & Culture Advisor, you will play a foundational role in supporting SunDrive’s People & Culture function while ensuring our Kurnell office operates smoothly and professionally. 

This role is suited to someone with 2–3 years’ HR experience who is ready to deepen their capability in a fast-moving, technical start-up environment. You’ll work closely with our Chief Performance Officer and partner with managers and employees across the full employee lifecycle — from onboarding and performance processes to employee relations and policy implementation. 

In addition to HR coordination responsibilities, you’ll oversee core office operations and facilities management to ensure our site remains welcoming, organised, and well-supported. 
This is a hands-on, high-exposure role offering real ownership, coaching, and the opportunity to build strong generalist HR foundations in a scaling industrial technology business. 

This role is a Hybrid role with 3 days in office & 2 days WFH

What You Will Focus On

  • Maintaining and administering our HRIS (BambooHR), ensuring data integrity and accurate employee records. 
  • Coordinating onboarding and offboarding processes, including documentation, systems setup, and induction scheduling. 
  • Supporting performance review cycles and compensation processes. 
  • Assisting with employee relations processes, including preparing documentation and maintaining accurate records. 
  • Responding to employee queries regarding policies and workplace matters with sound judgement and discretion. 
  • Supporting managers in navigating day-to-day people challenges in a practical, solutions-oriented way. 
  • Assisting with HR reporting, metrics, and process improvements. 
  • Overseeing office supplies, groceries, and weekly team catering. 
  • Coordinating internal events (e.g. culture events, board visits, government visits, team celebrations). 
  • Coordinating domestic and international travel logistics in partnership with Procurement. 
  • Ensuring new starter workspace setup in collaboration with IT. 
  • Maintaining a professional, safe, and organised workplace environment that enables technical teams to focus on delivery. 

    • We’d Love You To Have

  • 2 – 3+ years’ experience in an HR Coordinator, or similar role. 
  • Working knowledge of HR fundamentals including onboarding, performance processes, and basic employee relations. 
  • Experience using an HRIS (BambooHR highly regarded). 
  • Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities. 
  • Comfort operating in a fast-paced, technical, and evolving environment. 
  • Practical, solutions-oriented mindset with sound judgement. 
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills. 
  • High level of discretion and professionalism. 
  • Previous experience in a start-up, manufacturing, or industrial environment (desirable). 
  • Exposure to compensation reviews, ER processes, or event coordination (a bonus). 

    • SunDrive’s Benefits  

    Meaningful Work & Ownership 
    - Access SunDrive’s Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) - real ownership in SunDrive’s growth (permanent employees only).
    - Work on breakthrough solar technology with global impact. 
    - Be part of a tight, high-performing team where your ideas matter.

    Learning & Growth 
    - Company-wide L&D Fund for courses, coaching, and technical development. 
    - Dedicated weekly learning time.
    - Up to 2 days of paid L&D leave per year.

    Leave & Flexibility 
    - 4 weeks annual leave + unlimited rollover.
    - 10 days paid Personal/Carer’s Leave + unlimited rollover. 
    - Parental Leave: 13 weeks primary / 6 weeks secondary caregiver leave. Paid antenatal leave and support for early arrivals, surrogacy, and return-to-work planning.
    - 2 days paid Compassionate Leave per occasion. 

    Health & Wellbeing 
    - Free, confidential EAP support for employees and immediate family.

    Financial & Everyday Perks 
    - EV-only novated leasing (FBT-compliant). 
    - Weekly transport (tolls and public transport) allowance up to $45. 
    Weekly catered lunch + snacks and drinks onsite.

    How We Work  
    We’re a team of engineers, scientists, operators, and builders who thrive where deep research meets real-world production. With teams in Australia and China, we collaborate across disciplines and borders to design, build, test, and optimise the technologies behind our breakthrough solar cells. At our Sydney site, R&D, pilot manufacturing, and process engineering sit under one roof, creating a fast, iterative loop between innovation and implementation. 

    Our culture is open, accountable, and grounded in first principles. We work without ego, raise challenges early, and solve them together. We act like owners—pragmatic, resourceful, and committed to delivering work that’s precise and built to last. 

    We’re ambitious in what we take on and united by a shared purpose: to turn breakthrough ideas into scalable technologies that power a better future. 

    Additional Information 
    SunDrive Solar Pty Ltd is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need accommodation at any point during the interview process. 

    This role requires full working rights in Australia. Unfortunately, SunDrive is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

    #LI-Hybrid

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