Human Resources Manager

Astro Digital; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Astro Digital seeks an hands-on HR leader to build and scale an in-house HR function, bringing outsourced work internal, ensuring compliance, and partnering with leadership for rapid growth in aerospace. The ideal candidate thrives in high-growth, can balance strategy with hands-on execution, and will implement scalable HR processes across benefits, payroll, onboarding, and performance management.

Reporting to the executive team, this role will develop policies, drive workforce planning, and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of HR experience in high-growth environments.
• Proven track record transitioning outsourced HR to in-house.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and compliance.
• Experience developing HR policies, handbooks, and leveling frameworks.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with day-to-day HR execution.

Responsibilities

• Transition key HR functions to a fully internal model, including benefits, payroll coordination, and employee lifecycle processes.
• Evaluate and implement HR systems (HRIS, onboarding tools, performance platforms).
• Develop employee handbook, policies, and procedures.
• Establish scalable onboarding and offboarding processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Manage regulatory requirements relevant to aerospace (e.g., ITAR, export controls, contractor compliance).
• Maintain accurate employee records and audit readiness.
• Partner with legal and finance on risk mitigation.
• Partner with leadership on hiring plans and workforce strategy.
• Support and optimize recruiting processes.
• Develop job descriptions, leveling frameworks, and compensation benchmarks.
• Build employee engagement programs and feedback mechanisms.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees.
• Manage employee relations matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Help shape and reinforce company culture during a period of rapid growth.
• Design and implement performance review processes.
• Support leadership development and manager effectiveness.
• Create career growth and development frameworks.
• Evaluate and implement competitive benefits programs by working directly with brokers/providers.
• Support compensation planning, including salary structures and equity programs.
• Ensure smooth administration of payroll and total rewards.

Skills

HR leadership

HR compliance

Talent & workforce planning

Change management

Education

PHR/SPHR/SHRM certifications

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Onboarding tools

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on HR leader to build and scale our in-house human resources function. This role will establish foundational HR processes, bring previously outsourced or decentralized responsibilities internally, ensure compliance, and partner closely with leadership to support our rapidly growing aerospace organization.

The ideal candidate thrives in high-growth environments, is comfortable building from the ground up, and can balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Transition key HR functions to a fully internal model, including benefits, payroll coordination, and employee lifecycle processes
• Evaluate and implement HR systems (HRIS, onboarding tools, performance platforms)
• Develop employee handbook, policies, and procedures
• Establish scalable onboarding and offboarding processes

2. Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Manage regulatory requirements relevant to aerospace (e.g., ITAR, export controls, contractor compliance)
• Maintain accurate employee records and audit readiness
• Partner with legal and finance on risk mitigation

3. Talent & Workforce Planning

• Partner with leadership on hiring plans and workforce strategy
• Support and optimize recruiting processes (initially hands-on if needed)
• Develop job descriptions, leveling frameworks, and compensation benchmarks

4. Employee Experience & Culture

• Build employee engagement programs and feedback mechanisms
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees
• Manage employee relations matters with professionalism and discretion
• Help shape and reinforce company culture during a period of rapid growth

5. Performance Management & Development

• Design and implement performance review processes
• Support leadership development and manager effectiveness
• Create career growth and development frameworks

6. Benefits & Compensation

• Evaluate and implement competitive benefits programs by working directly with brokers/providers
• Support compensation planning, including salary structures and equity programs
• Ensure smooth administration of payroll and total rewards

Qualifications

Required

• 5-10+ years of HR experience
• Experience in high-growth or scaling organizations
• Strong knowledge of HR compliance and employment law
• Demonstrated success establishing or formalizing HR processes
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically

Preferred

• Experience bringing HR functions in-house or insourcing operations
• Background in aerospace, manufacturing, defense, or engineering environments
• Familiarity with ITAR or government contractor compliance
• HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP)
• Experience implementing HRIS systems
• Strong business acumen and problem-solving skills
• High level of discretion and integrity
• Comfortable with ambiguity and change
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Execution-oriented with strong attention to detail

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: CEO, COO, or CFO
• Future team growth may include Recruiter, HR Generalist, and HR Business Partner roles

Compensation: $135-160k based on experience