HR Generalist

VG6 Precision; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Aero Precision is building a dedicated HR function in Lakewood, WA. The HR Generalist will establish payroll, onboarding, and compliance for two states (WA and FL), and create a personnel file system, handbooks, and workflows.

You will lead recruitment, training, and employee relations, ensuring accurate records and adherence to federal and state laws as the organization scales.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of HR Generalist experience across core HR functions.
• Familiar with WA Paid Family and Medical Leave, paid sick leave, wage and hour rules.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll support, and reporting.
• Payroll processing or payroll support experience.
• Discretion with confidential information and strong written/verbal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Build HR infrastructure for two companies, including employee files, workflows, forms, and SOPs.
• Configure Paylocity, including records, job codes, and onboarding workflows.
• Draft and roll out policies and handbooks meeting WA and FL requirements.
• Maintain employee records and support multi-state payroll processing.
• Post openings, screen candidates, schedule interviews, and prepare offers.
• Coordinate background checks, drug screening, and E-Verify; complete I-9 forms.

Skills

HR Generalist

WA State employment law

Payroll processing

HRIS

Paylocity

Excel

Bilingual English/Vietnamese

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

SHRM-CP/PHR certification

Tools

Paylocity

Job description

Description

About the Role

After a recent asset purchase, Aero Precision is building the business as a new company: a new entity, new systems, and a workforce that needs HR infrastructure built around it. The operation is established; the HR function is not. There is no existing department, handbook, or set of processes to inherit, and the work in front of this team looks more like a startup than a typical HR role.

The HR Generalist reports to the Director of Human Resources and supports two companies, with employees in Washington and Florida. The role covers the full workforce: manufacturing and production, plus accounting and finance, sales, marketing, engineering, IT, and administrative teams. In the first year, that means setting up Paylocity, building employee files and workflows, writing the handbook and core policies, and putting onboarding, leave, safety, and compliance processes in place across both states. The decisions made now will set how HR operates for years.

This role is for a true generalist: someone who has handled the full range of HR work, from payroll and leave to employee relations and safety, and wants a direct hand in building an HR function rather than maintaining one someone else built. As the department grows, so does the scope of this role.

Responsibilities

HR Department Setup

• Build HR infrastructure for two companies, including employee files, workflows, forms, and standard operating procedures
• Configure Paylocity, including employee records, job codes, and onboarding workflows
• Draft and roll out policies, procedures, and employee handbooks that meet Washington and Florida requirements

HRIS, Data, and Payroll

• Maintain accurate employee records in Paylocity
• Serve as payroll backup: review timecards, process changes, and support multi-state payroll processing
• Pull reports for audits, compliance, and leadership requests
• Maintain physical and digital personnel files in line with retention requirements

Recruiting and Onboarding

• Post openings, pre-screen applicants, schedule interviews, and prepare offer letters for production, professional, and administrative roles
• Coordinate background checks, drug screening, and E-Verify
• Complete and maintain Forms I-9
• Run new hire orientation for production, professional, and administrative employees in both states

Employee Relations

• Serve as a first point of contact for employee questions and concerns
• Advise supervisors and managers on coaching, documentation, and performance improvement plans, escalating to the Director of HR as needed
• Assist with investigations, performance reviews, and terminations

Training and Organizational Development

• Coordinate and track required and job-specific training
• Support performance management, engagement, and retention initiatives
• Help develop job descriptions, org charts, and career paths across all departments

Safety and Compliance

• Partner with operations on safety programs, training, and incident follow-up
• Manage workers’ compensation claims and maintain OSHA logs for both states
• Administer leaves of absence, including FMLA, WA Paid Family and Medical Leave, and disability
• Support benefits administration, open enrollment, and ACA and EEO-1 reporting
• Maintain compliance with federal, Washington, and Florida employment laws

Requirements

Qualified Candidates Will Have

• 3 to 5 years of experience as an HR Generalist, covering the full range of HR functions
• Working knowledge of Washington State employment law, including WA Paid Family and Medical Leave, paid sick leave, and wage and hour rules
• Working knowledge of federal employment law, including FMLA, FLSA, and I-9 compliance
• Experience with an HRIS, including employee records, payroll support, and reporting
• Payroll processing or payroll support experience
• Accuracy in data entry and record keeping
• Discretion with confidential information
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Ideal Candidates Will Also Have

• Paylocity experience, highly desired
• Multi-state HR experience, including Florida employment law
• Experience supporting both manufacturing and professional or administrative employees
• Experience setting up an HR function or supporting an acquisition or integration
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, or equivalent experience
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar certification
• Bilingual in English and Vietnamese

Eligibility Requirements

This position requires access to information subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals granted asylum or refugee status.

Because this position may involve access to firearms, ammunition, or controlled areas of a licensed firearms manufacturing facility, candidates must not be prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) or Washington state law.

Offers are contingent on a background check and drug screen, conducted after a conditional offer of employment in accordance with Washington law.

Ability to work onsite at our Lakewood, WA facility. The primary schedule is Monday through Friday. As operations expand to 24/7 facilities, the role will include occasional early morning, evening, or weekend shifts.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay range: $32.00 to $42.00 per hour, non-exempt, based on experience and qualifications
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (80% employer paid coverage for employee and dependents)
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) with 6% company match
• 3 weeks of paid time off
• 12 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave