Workplace Manager
Who We Are
Physical Intelligence is bringing general-purpose AI into the physical world. We are a group of engineers, scientists, roboticists, and company builders developing foundation models and learning algorithms to power the robots of today and the physically-actuated devices of the future.
As the company scales, success increasingly depends not just on research excellence, but on building an environment where teams can consistently operate at a high tempo—with minimal friction and a strong sense of belonging.
Success in this role looks like building and operating a workplace that “just works”: day-to-day operations are quiet and reliable, employees feel supported and welcomed, and the workplace becomes a competitive advantage for focus, collaboration, and retention.
The Team
This role is a key partner to People/Operations and works cross-functionally with Research, Engineering, IT, Finance, Legal, and external vendors (building management, contractors, security, A/V, furniture, etc.). It sits close to leadership priorities because workplace decisions directly affect productivity, culture, and cost.
There is no narrow lane: the mandate is to own workplace outcomes end-to-end and continuously improve how the office functions as we scale.
In This Role You Will
Own day-to-day workplace operations to keep the office running smoothly (facilities issues, supplies, conference rooms, mail, visitors, onsite support, shared spaces).
Build and manage the vendor ecosystem (janitorial, security, access control, furniture, catering, repairs, IT/AV partners, etc.), including sourcing, negotiating, and performance management.
Create scalable workplace systems and processes (ticketing/intake, procurement workflows, inventory, onboarding checklists, documentation, office norms) that reduce interruptions and increase reliability.
Partner with People Ops on holistic employee experience, including onboarding moments, in-office rituals, events, and programming that reinforces belonging and connection - all while facilitating focused work.
Support wellness-oriented workplace practices, such as ergonomic setups, workspace standards, healthy routines, and clear guidance/resources—coordinating with benefits/People where applicable.
Drive health, safety, and preparedness basics, including emergency planning, incident response readiness, first aid supplies, and safety guidelines appropriate for our work environment.
Own workplace budgets and planning, tracking spend, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and making high-ROI investments that improve the employee experience and reduce friction.
Act as the “quiet operator” behind a great office, anticipating issues before they happen and ensuring employees can stay focused on mission-critical work.
What We Hope You’ll Bring
Proven ownership in workplace operations / office management / facilities / employee experience, ideally in a fast-moving environment.
Strong project management skills, with a track record of delivering complex, deadline-driven work (an office move experience is a major plus).
Operational rigor and attention to detail—you notice what’s broken, fix it quickly, and prevent repeats.
Vendor and budget fluency, including negotiating, managing contracts, and making practical tradeoffs.
High EQ and service mindset, paired with strong boundaries and prioritization instincts (helpful, responsive, and able to protect team focus).
Exceptional written and verbal communication, especially for coordinating across stakeholders and setting clear expectations.
Comfort with ambiguity and building structure, including creating processes that scale without becoming bureaucratic.
Strong π-fit: respect for research/engineering culture, good judgment, intellectual humility, and a bias toward enabling others.
Bonus Points If You Have
Led or supported an office move (planning, vendors, comms, execution, post-move stabilization).
Experience in R&D-heavy environments (labs, robotics, hardware-adjacent workplaces) where safety, equipment, and space needs are more complex than a standard office.
Facilities/safety exposure, such as emergency planning, basic compliance coordination, or ergonomic program ownership.
Experience scaling a workplace from early-stage (<100) through growth (100–300+), including space planning and policy evolution.
Strong hospitality instincts, creating a workplace experience that feels intentional, welcoming, and high-quality without being “fluffy.”