People Systems and Data Specialist (1 year FTC)

OpenWorks Engineering Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking engineering firm based in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a skilled HR Systems Specialist. The role involves optimizing HRIS and ATS systems to enhance workflows and employee experience. Ideal candidates will have strong experience in HR systems configuration and people analytics. The position offers a competitive salary of £35,000-£45,000, a flexible work environment, and numerous benefits, including private healthcare and paid team activities.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

25 days’ holiday + public holidays

Free breakfast and lunches

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Salary sacrifice schemes

Paid team socials

Pension plan with employer contributions

Qualifications

• Previous experience configuring HRIS/ATS systems catered to mid-sized businesses.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong understanding of UK people processes and GDPR compliance.

Responsibilities

• Continuously improve HRIS (Rippling) and ATS (Workable) ensuring accurate data and effective user-friendly workflows.
• Support people and recruitment reporting and data analysis.
• Lead system and data related projects improving automation and self-service.

Skills

Configuring HRIS/ATS systems

Microsoft Excel skills

People analytics

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Experience in recruitment or HR environment

Tools

Rippling

Workable

Power BI

Job description

Introduction

This newly created role sits at the core of our “Enabling People” strategy, shaping the systems, data and processes that help OpenWorks scale with confidence.

In this role you will optimise our people and talent systems (Rippling and Workable), strengthen the quality and use of our data, streamline workflows across the employee lifecycle and build the clarity and consistency needed to support an excellent employee experience. You will make our systems landscape smoother, smarter and more user‑friendly – creating workflows and infrastructure to enhance employee experience.

Contract Details

12‑month fixed‑term contract based on‑site in Prudhoe (close to Newcastle‑upon‑Tyne) with flexible working options available. We are unable to sponsor a visa or UK/global relocation for this position.

Applications close on 11th January 2026, but we may close early; early applications encouraged.

Who We Are

OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra‑high performance, real‑time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high‑profile military and civilian assets, contributing to the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones. We support a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting some of the most high‑profile sites and individuals worldwide.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package, salary £35,000‑£45,000 depending on experience
• 25 days’ holiday + public holidays, with long‑service rewards and the option to buy up to 5 additional days
• Free breakfast and freshly cooked lunches every day courtesy of Chef Mark and his team
• Private healthcare through Aviva
• Life assurance for peace of mind
• Salary sacrifice schemes – including EV car and Cycle to Work
• Paid team socials and community‑building activities
• Pension plan with employer‑matched contributions
• A culture that empowers – we enable change, encourage challenge and celebrate personal growth

Interview Process

1. Stage 1 (online): A pre‑screen call with Loren (Recruitment Manager)
2. Stage 2 (in person): A situational judgement assessment and a competency‑based interview with Jo (Head of People and Talent) and Loren

Role Responsibilities

• Continuously improve HRIS (Rippling) and ATS (Workable) by ensuring accurate data, effective configuration and user‑friendly workflows, while developing intuitive self‑service tools and maintaining clear documentation, version control and consistent system standards.
• Support people and recruitment reporting and data analysis, turning large data sets into key metrics and insights.
• Standardise and simplify processes, improving workflows through automation and clear governance while supporting strong compliance, audit readiness and data protection best practice.
• Create practical toolkits and micro‑learning to build user confidence at all levels of the business, providing clear system guidance and embedding our “Enable People” philosophy throughout all resources.
• Lead system and data related projects that improve automation, data quality and self‑service, partnering closely with the Head of People and Talent to modernise processes and our people data infrastructure.

Essential Qualifications

• Previous experience configuring HRIS/ATS systems catered to mid‑sized businesses or above.
• Background in an in‑house recruitment, people/HR or learning and development environment.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.
• Good exposure to people analytics, automation and API integrations.
• Able to quickly organise large data sets and translate what’s possible into practical solutions.
• Experienced standardising processes and creating clear, user‑friendly documentation.
• Excellent communicator bringing clarity, calm and collaboration to every interaction.
• Comfortable delivering training or bite‑sized learning.
• Strong understanding of UK people processes and GDPR compliance.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused and highly organised, managing multiple projects and changing priorities.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in a fast‑paced SME environment, ideally engineering or manufacturing.
• Skilled in building people and recruitment related KPI dashboards (Power BI, Google Data Studio, Tableau or similar) using large data sets.
• Experience using Rippling and/or Workable.
• Previous background in an in‑house recruitment, people or learning and development environment.

Apply Early

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may close the role early due to high volumes of applications.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as we are not able to provide visa sponsorship.