Director, HR Business Partner
About The Position
The Manager or Senior Human Resources Business Partner serves as the lead HR partner for assigned business units and sites within a multi-site aerospace and defense manufacturing environment. This role provides strategic and operational HR leadership while directly supervising a team of site HR Business Partners. The position supports business performance, workforce stability, compliance, and integration activities in a highly regulated environment that includes defense contracting requirements and California employment regulations. The role operates as a key member of site and functional leadership teams and partners closely with operations, engineering, program leadership, and corporate HR centers of excellence. Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.
Requirements
- Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field required.
- 5+ years of progressive HR experience with at least two years in a lead HRBP or supervisory capacity.
- Experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or other regulated industrial environments strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations in California.
- Working knowledge of workforce planning, compensation fundamentals, and performance management practices.
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, certain positions may require applicants to be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degrees are desirable.
- HR certification is desirable.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary HR advisor to senior operational and functional leaders and translate business plans into workforce strategies including workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, and leadership capability development
- Lead and execute core annual talent processes such as performance reviews, talent assessments, merit planning, and incentive administration while aligning site practices with corporate compensation, performance, and talent frameworks
- Supervise, coach, and develop a team of 3-5 site HR Business Partners, establish priorities and service expectations, ensure consistent application of policies, employee relations standards, and HR practices across supported locations
- Maintain strong partnerships with manufacturing and program leaders through regular on-site presence and travel to ensure visibility, workforce insight, and alignment with operational needs
- Lead complex employee relations matters including investigations, corrective action, performance issues, and terminations, and provide risk-based guidance to leaders in accordance with California wage and hour laws, leave laws, and multi-state employment regulations
- Partner with legal, compliance, and leadership teams on matters involving government contracting requirements, controlled information environments, and workplace conduct, and support documentation standards and audit readiness expected in defense and manufacturing settings
- Drive operational consistency in onboarding, offboarding, manager practices, and HR workflows across sites and lead management initiatives tied to organizational growth, restructuring, and operational transformation
- Support integration of acquired businesses by coordinating employee onboarding, policy alignment, communications, and cultural integration, and working closely with payroll, benefits, HR systems, and talent acquisition teams to ensure seamless transitions
Benefits
- We participate in E-Verify, a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
