Human Resources Manager

Fairbanks Morse Defense; Walpole (MA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Fairbanks Morse Defense in Walpole, MA, seeks a dynamic Human Resources Manager to lead HR in a non-union marine manufacturing environment. You will partner with site leadership, oversee recruitment, policy development, training, and employee relations to drive a high-performance culture.

Reporting to the site VP/GM, you will collaborate with the Pascagoula HR team, ensure labor-law compliance, and implement workforce strategies to attract and retain talent across locations while supporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• 5-7 years of progressive HR experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of labor laws, HR compliance, and employee engagement strategies.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or an equivalent HR certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle recruitment process including postings, sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding.
• Partner with department leaders to identify staffing needs and implement workforce planning.
• Develop and execute recruitment strategies to attract and retain top talent.
• Foster community relations with vocational schools and technical programs.
• Collaborate with operations to represent the company at recruitment events and fairs.

Skills

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

Employee engagement

Talent development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business Admin

Tools

HR systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Fairbanks Morse Defense, 110 Norfolk Street, Walpole, Massachusetts, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Friday, August 7, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling?For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers

Role: Human Resources Manager

Position Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Human Resources Manager to join our team in an important leadership role. As an active business partner, you will oversee all aspects of human resources within a high-performing, non-union marine manufacturing environment. Supporting both salaried and hourly employees, this role is instrumental in driving HR excellence and fostering a positive work culture at our Walpole, MA location. Our company proudly delivers superior products to the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard.

The Human Resources Manager will report directly to the site leader, Vice President / General Manager, and maintain a dotted-line reporting relationship with the Division’s Director of Human Resources. In this role, you will also collaborate closely with the Human Resources Generalist at our Foundry location in Pascagoula, MS, ensuring alignment and consistency across locations.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition:

• Lead the full-cycle recruitment process, including job postings, candidate sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding
• Partner with department leaders to identify current and future staffing needs and implement effective workforce planning strategies
• Develop and execute innovative recruitment strategies to attract and retain top talent
• Develop and foster community relations with vocational technical high schools and other technical programs throughout the community at large
• Partner with operations to represent the company at recruitment fairs and external talent acquisition events and opportunities

Employee Relations & Engagement:

• Serve as a champion of the company’s core values: Teamwork, Integrity, and Velocity, modeling these principles in all interactions
• Act as a trusted advisor to employees and managers, addressing concerns and resolving conflicts while ensuring compliance with company policies and labor laws
• Drive employee engagement initiatives that enhance morale, improve retention, and foster a positive workplace culture
• Analyze annual employee surveys to identify opportunities for improvement and implement action plans to enhance employee satisfaction

HR Policy Development & Compliance:

• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and organizational consistency
• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws, including ongoing monitoring and updates as regulations evolve
• Prepare and analyze HR metrics and reports using the system of record and Excel to support data-driven decision-making

Training & Development:

• Assess skill gaps and design targeted training and development programs to address them
• Lead initiatives that promote continuous learning, employee development, and career growth
• Oversee annual talent reviews and performance management processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required
• 5-7 years of progressive HR experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of labor laws, HR compliance, and employee engagement strategies
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, resolve conflicts, and foster a collaborative work environment
• Proficiency and demonstrated success in talent pipeline development and management
• Proficiency in HR systems, data analysis, and Microsoft Excel
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or an equivalent HR certification is preferred
• Experience in both non-unionized and unionized environments is a plus

Working Conditions:

• Primarily based in an office setting with opportunities for remote work
• Occasional travel (<10%) required to support the Pascagoula, MS site, corporate headquarters in Beloit, WI, and other FMD enterprise locations
• Flexibility to work beyond standard business hours, as needed, to address urgent matters across a three shift business
• Ability to sit for long periods of time as well the ability to navigate on the manufacturing floor safely

Security Requirements:

This position requires access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (U-NNPI), which is restricted to U.S. citizens and is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN). Candidates must provide proof of U.S. citizenship (acceptable documents include a U.S. Passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, or Naturalization Certificate) and attest to not holding dual citizenship.

Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and 401k retirement plan with employer match. In addition, we offer paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Fairbanks Morse Defense, 110 Norfolk Street, Walpole, Massachusetts, United States of America