HR Operations Manager

Medium; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-speed aircraft manufacturer in Los Angeles seeks an HR Operations Manager to lead and support HR functions. This role involves overseeing onboarding, performance management, payroll, and compliance, while ensuring a positive employee experience. Candidates should have 5-7 years of HR experience, strong knowledge of California employment law, and the ability to influence partnerships across the organization. The annual salary ranges from $120,000 to $145,000.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive HR/People Operations experience, with at least 2 years in a people management role.
• Strong understanding of California employment law and best practices in employee relations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build partnerships at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Build scalable HR processes and ensure a high level of execution.
• Act as the People Ops contact for the Los Angeles office.
• Provide coaching and policy guidance to LA-based leaders.

Skills

HR Operations

California employment law

Payroll administration

Performance management

Problem-solving

Tools

ADP

Lattice

Lever

Jira

Job description

Hermeus is a high-speed aircraft manufacturer focused on the rapid design, build, and test of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft for the national interest. Working directly with the Department of Defense, Hermeus delivers capabilities that will ensure that our nation, and our allies, maintain an asymmetric advantage over any and all potential adversaries.

We’re looking for a strategic, hands-on HR Operations Manager to lead and support the HR Ops function in our Los Angeles office. This role will directly oversee onboarding & offboarding programs, performance management, payroll, benefits administration, and HR compliance. In addition to managing the day-to-day work of HR operations, this person will build and set the processes for a scalable HR Operations team. They will serve as the key People Ops partner to our LA-based teams, ensuring a positive, equitable, and compliant employee experience at every touchpoint.

HR Operations Execution

• Build scalable process and ensure a high level of execution across employee relations, performance management, onboarding/offboarding, payroll administration, and HR compliance.
• Establish clear processes and documentation standards across all areas of HR Operations.
• Support People Operations Generalists in day-to-day operations, providing guidance and removing blockers.

LA Site Leadership & Employee Experience

• Act as the People Ops point of contact for our Los Angeles office, serving as an embedded partner to local managers and employees.
• Build trust with employees and leaders through visibility, listening, and proactive problem-solving.
• Partner with Facilities, IT, and Security teams to ensure a safe and supportive workplace experience in LA.

Business Partnership & Support

• Provide coaching and policy guidance to LA-based leaders on performance, employee relations, engagement, and organizational development.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve systems, workflows, and manager enablement.
• Support company-wide initiatives (e.g., performance reviews, compensation planning, engagement surveys) by localizing communications and implementation for LA.

What you\'ll Bring

• 5-7 years of progressive HR/People Operations experience, with at least 2 years in a people management role.
• Strong understanding of California employment law and best practices in employee relations, performance management, and compliance.
• Experience leading payroll and HRIS administration workflows (ADP experience a plus).
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build partnerships at all levels of the organization.
• A bias for action and a hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with daily operational execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting employees across both technical and non-technical teams in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Familiarity with tools such as ADP, Lattice, Lever, and Jira.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar certification is a plus.

$120,000 - $145,000 a year

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.