Senior HR Generalist

Allen Control Systems; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ACS Equity Package

Paid Time Off

Job summary

A defense tech startup in Austin is looking for a Senior HR Generalist to build HR functions from the ground up. This role involves partnering with the VP of HR to shape people strategies, implement performance management systems, and oversee benefits administration. Ideal applicants should have over 6 years of progressive HR experience in dynamic environments and strong skills in designing HR programs. The organization offers an equity package and paid time off as perks.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive HR experience, particularly in startup environments.
• Experience designing HR programs from scratch rather than just administering existing ones.
• Knowledge of benefits administration practices.
• Familiarity with performance management frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the VP of HR on the people strategy roadmap.
• Oversee benefits administration and employee communications.
• Implement the performance management philosophy.
• Develop HR policies that are legally sound and clearly written.
• Define and operationalize company culture through initiatives.
• Design onboarding experiences for new hires.

Skills

HR program design

Benefits administration

Performance management

Compliance knowledge

Strong written communication

Discretion handling sensitive information

Strategic mindset

Job description

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced professionals.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop have a real-world impact.

Position Overview

We are building our HR function from the ground up, and this role is central to making that happen. As our Senior HR Generalist, you will work directly alongside our VP of HR to design and establish the programs, processes, and infrastructure that define how we operate as a company and how we take care of our people. This is a build-from-scratch opportunity for someone energized by a blank page, who thinks strategically and is equally ready to roll up their sleeves and execute.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with the VP of HR to define the people strategy roadmap, assess current-state gaps, and build prioritized plans to close them, including the employee handbook, process guides, and compliance frameworks.
• Own day-to-day benefits administration, enrollment coordination, and employee communications; build the education and support infrastructure so employees can fully access and understand their benefits.
• Help design and implement our performance management philosophy, including review cycles, feedback structures, and goal-setting frameworks, along with the tools and templates managers need to run effective conversations.
• Support the development of a compensation philosophy and structure, including job leveling, pay bands, and manager guidance, ensuring frameworks are fair, transparent, and defensible as we scale.
• Develop and maintain HR policies that are legally sound and clearly written; monitor the regulatory landscape and flag changes that require policy or process updates.
• Help define and operationalize our culture through engagement initiatives, pulse surveys, recognition programs, and feedback loops; serve as a trusted, approachable resource for employees at all levels.
• Design and own the full onboarding experience from offer acceptance through the first 90 days, including the systems, checklists, and communications that make every new hire’s first week seamless; establish metrics and continuously improve the experience over time.

What You’ll Need

• 6+ years of progressive HR experience, with meaningful time in a startup, high-growth, or build-from-scratch environment.
• Demonstrated experience helping design or establish HR programs from scratch, not just administering existing systems.
• Strong working knowledge of benefits administration, including open enrollment, carrier management, and plan design basics.
• Familiarity with building or operationalizing performance management and compensation frameworks.
• Solid grasp of employment law and HR compliance fundamentals.
• A strategic mindset paired with the willingness to do detailed, operational work; strong written communication skills for turning concepts into clear policies and process docs.
• High trust, high discretion in handling sensitive information; SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent is a plus.

What We Offer

• ACS Equity Package
• Paid Time Off

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.