If you live in Brazil, are fluent in English and want to build a global HR operation from scratch, we're looking for you!About Downtown EngineersDowntown Engineers (DWT ENG) is a New York-based MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing) engineering firm trusted by architecture offices, developers and national brands. Our work spans from franchise rollouts for brands like McDonald's, Domino's and Dunkin' to hospitality projects with Hilton and Hyatt, healthcare and residential buildings across the United States.We're a remote-first team of 30+ people across different countries, with 300+ projects delivered across 16+ sectors. Our culture is grounded in trust, transparency and autonomy — and that's what we want to nourish with our Human Resources.About the OpportunityYou will be Downtown's first HR hire, reporting directly to one of the founding partners, with the mission of building the People function from scratch. Our operation is distributed by design across Brazil, the US and India. We have doubled our team in 2026 (now 30+) and will keep growing at a fast pace, with a People strategic plan already approved by the founders.For the first 12 months, this role will mix orchestration and execution: you will coordinate specialized recruiting agencies in the US, Brazil and India;
manage payroll and benefits;
design and manage development programs in direct partnership with the leadership across the world.One detail defines this role: your main internal clients are in the US and India. Interviews, trainings, sensitive career conversations and negotiations with American vendors will happen in English, every day.Compensation & Structure- Full-time contractor (remote, based in Brazil)- Fixed monthly compensation- Please include your compensation expectation in BRL (R$) in your applicationWhat you'll do (major challenges for 2026)A. People Operations across 3 countries- Map and stabilize payroll, benefits and employment flows in the US and India- Work alongside a BPO in India on hires, payroll calendar, SLAsB. Training & Development- Coordinate technical training programs across the US and India- Design and coordinate a management development program that allows us to keep growing sustainablyC. Recruiting (outsourced execution)- Manage specialized recruiting agencies in search for technical positions- Build scorecards with hiring managers and document the selection process, preparing the future internalization of recruiting (with new HR hire)Must-haves- Fluent English (written and spoken) — a hard requirement. This is not English for occasional meetings: you will run interviews, facilitate trainings, handle sensitive conversations and negotiate with US search firms in English, daily- 8-12 years of generalist HR experience- Experience at coordinator-to-manager level- Strong vendor management skills: BPOs, recruiting agencies, development consultancies- Autonomy to operate without a ready-made structure and maturity to work directly with founders- Availability to work across time zones: the India window falls in the Brazilian morning, and the US window in the afternoonNice-to-haves- Experience supporting internationally distributed teams- Familiarity with the architecture, engineering or construction (AEC) industry- Prior experience as a first HR hire or building a People function from scratchSelection Process1. Apply to the opportunity, submitting the form with your CV2. Screening: English and communication assessment (video)3. Technical challenge4. Interviews with leadership5. OfferWhy join Downtown?- Role with direct business impact- Work directly with founders- Fast-moving, low-bureaucracy culture with real autonomy- High growth opportunity as the company scalesPS: why Brazil? Our CEO is Brazilian and that's where most of our non-technical teams are based.
or continue with email
manage payroll and benefits;
design and manage development programs in direct partnership with the leadership across the world.One detail defines this role: your main internal clients are in the US and India. Interviews, trainings, sensitive career conversations and negotiations with American vendors will happen in English, every day.Compensation & Structure- Full-time contractor (remote, based in Brazil)- Fixed monthly compensation- Please include your compensation expectation in BRL (R$) in your applicationWhat you'll do (major challenges for 2026)A. People Operations across 3 countries- Map and stabilize payroll, benefits and employment flows in the US and India- Work alongside a BPO in India on hires, payroll calendar, SLAsB. Training & Development- Coordinate technical training programs across the US and India- Design and coordinate a management development program that allows us to keep growing sustainablyC. Recruiting (outsourced execution)- Manage specialized recruiting agencies in search for technical positions- Build scorecards with hiring managers and document the selection process, preparing the future internalization of recruiting (with new HR hire)Must-haves- Fluent English (written and spoken) — a hard requirement. This is not English for occasional meetings: you will run interviews, facilitate trainings, handle sensitive conversations and negotiate with US search firms in English, daily- 8-12 years of generalist HR experience- Experience at coordinator-to-manager level- Strong vendor management skills: BPOs, recruiting agencies, development consultancies- Autonomy to operate without a ready-made structure and maturity to work directly with founders- Availability to work across time zones: the India window falls in the Brazilian morning, and the US window in the afternoonNice-to-haves- Experience supporting internationally distributed teams- Familiarity with the architecture, engineering or construction (AEC) industry- Prior experience as a first HR hire or building a People function from scratchSelection Process1. Apply to the opportunity, submitting the form with your CV2. Screening: English and communication assessment (video)3. Technical challenge4. Interviews with leadership5. OfferWhy join Downtown?- Role with direct business impact- Work directly with founders- Fast-moving, low-bureaucracy culture with real autonomy- High growth opportunity as the company scalesPS: why Brazil? Our CEO is Brazilian and that's where most of our non-technical teams are based.
Sign in
To continue your applicationor continue with email
By continuing you agree to our Terms & Privacy Policy.
Similar jobs
Show more