Human Resources Generalist

Rocket EMS, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket EMS, Inc. is seeking an experienced Human Resources Generalist to support employees and managers at our San Jose manufacturing facility.

You will handle day-to-day HR activities including onboarding, employee relations, performance management, and leave administration while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work on the manufacturing floor, and a hands-on approach to address issues promptly and discreetly.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of California employment laws and HR practices.
• Experience with employee relations, onboarding/offboarding, performance management, and leave administration.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary HR resource for policies, benefits, attendance, and personnel matters.
• Provide day-to-day employee relations support, coaching managers and documenting issues.
• Support onboarding, transfers, promotions, terminations, and offboarding.
• Partner with managers on attendance, performance management, and employee development.
• Maintain accurate HR records with confidentiality and compliance.
• Administer leaves of absence including CA requirements (FMLA, CFRA, PDL).
• Assist with benefits questions, workers’ compensation matters, and HR programs.
• Ensure compliance with California and federal employment laws.
• Support HR audits, reporting, and policy updates.
• Engage in employee engagement, recognition, and workplace initiatives.
• Maintain visible HR presence on the manufacturing floor across shifts.
• Collaborate with Recruiting for new-hire transitions.

Skills

Employee relations

Onboarding

Leave administration

Performance management

Compliance

Organizational skills

Communication

Privacy/confidentiality

HRIS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS/HR systems

Job description

Rocket EMS is seeking an experienced and hands‑on Human Resources Generalist to support employees and managers at our San Jose manufacturing facility. This position will provide day‑to‑day HR support across employee relations, onboarding and offboarding, performance management, leave administration, compliance, training, and general HR operations.

The ideal candidate is approachable, organized, comfortable working in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, and able to balance employee advocacy with business needs. This role requires regular interaction with employees and supervisors on the manufacturing floor and the ability to independently address routine HR issues while escalating more complex matters appropriately.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary HR resource for employees and managers regarding policies, procedures, workplace concerns, benefits, attendance, performance, and other employment‑related matters.
• Provide day‑to‑day employee relations support, including coaching managers, documenting issues, conducting preliminary investigations, and assisting with corrective actions.
• Support employee onboarding, orientation, transfers, promotions, terminations, and offboarding.
• Partner with managers on attendance, performance management, disciplinary actions, and employee development.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation while ensuring confidentiality and compliance.
• Support administration of leaves of absence, including FMLA, CFRA, PDL and other applicable California leave requirements.
• Assist employees with benefits questions, enrollment changes, workers’ compensation matters, and other HR programs.
• Ensure compliance with California and federal employment laws and company policies.
• Support HR audits, reporting, recordkeeping, and policy updates.
• Assist with employee engagement, retention, recognition, training, and workplace initiatives.
• Maintain a visible HR presence on the manufacturing floor and build effective relationships with employees across shifts and departments.
• Partner with Recruiting and hiring managers to support new‑hire transitions and workforce needs.
• Assist with investigations involving employee complaints, workplace conduct, attendance, safety, or policy violations.
• Support HR leadership with special projects and company‑wide initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably in a manufacturing, electronics, operations, or other fast‑paced environment.
• Working knowledge of California employment laws and HR practices.
• Experience supporting employee relations, performance management, investigations, onboarding/offboarding, and leave administration.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with production employees, supervisors, managers, and senior leadership.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS/HR systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar certification is a plus.

Preferred Experience

• HR experience within electronics manufacturing, EMS, aerospace, semiconductor, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting hourly manufacturing employees and multiple shifts.
• Familiarity with California wage‑and‑hour requirements, workplace investigations, leaves of absence, workers’ compensation, and OSHA‑related HR matters.
• Experience working in a growing organization where processes and procedures continue to evolve.

What We’re Looking For

Someone who is practical, responsive, professional, and comfortable being hands‑on rather than sitting behind a desk waiting for HR issues to come to them. The successful candidate will build credibility with employees and managers, address issues promptly, and help bring consistency and structure to HR practices across the site.

Pay Range

$75,000—$95,000 USD

ITAR/EAR Compliance

Due to the nature of the work performed at Rocket EMS, this position may require access to export‑controlled technical data or technology. The successful candidate must be eligible to access such information under applicable U.S. export‑control laws or be eligible for any required government authorization.

Rocket EMS will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act. Candidates are not required to disclose criminal history or participate in a background check unless and until a conditional offer of employment has been made. Any final offer of employment may be conditioned on completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.