HR Manager

Opto-Knowledge Systems • Torrance, CA

30d • Onsite

About The Position

The HR Manager oversees key human resources functions in a defense contracting environment, ensuring compliance with federal regulations while supporting workforce readiness, employee relations, and talent strategies. This role partners with leadership to align HR initiatives with mission objectives, maintain ITAR and labor law compliance, and foster a high-performance, security-conscious culture.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a lead HR role with broad ownership across multiple HR functions.
• Experience in manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or federal contracting environments.
• Demonstrated experience building HR infrastructure from the ground up in a rapidly scaling organization.
• Strong working knowledge of multi-state employment law (including California) and federal contracting HR requirements (FAR, DFARS, DCAA, OFCCP).
• Familiarity with ITAR, export control, and compliance-driven HR environments.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms; Paylocity experience a plus.
• Bachelor's Degree in a field related to the above preferred.
• Must have, or be eligible to obtain, a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance.
• Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R.

Nice To Haves

• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
• Experience supporting a geographically distributed, multi-state workforce that includes remote employees.
• Background in a startup or high-growth environment where you helped build the HR function, not just maintain it.
• Familiarity with CMMC, AS9100D, or similar quality management or compliance frameworks.
• Genuine interest in mentoring and developing junior HR professionals.

Responsibilities

• Build and implement HR systems, processes, and programs to support rapid organizational growth in a federal contracting environment.
• Directly supervise and mentor HR staff, developing their skills and serving as their primary resource.
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and people strategy.
• Serve as the primary HR advisor to leadership on employee relations, compensation, and compliance risks.
• Own HR systems administration, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and process efficiency.
• Manage relationships with external HR vendors.
• Oversee full-cycle recruiting for technical and non-technical roles, including cleared and ITAR-sensitive positions.
• Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements, build job descriptions, and develop consistent interview and selection processes.
• Design and improve onboarding programs to get new hires productive quickly and reinforce company culture.
• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies aligned with federal contracting requirements and multi-state employment laws.
• Maintain audit-ready HR documentation supporting AS9100D, CMMC, and ITAR compliance frameworks.
• Monitor evolving federal and state regulations and proactively advise leadership on implications.
• Lead or oversee internal investigations, corrective actions, and disciplinary processes.
• Oversee compensation administration, including salary benchmarking, merit reviews, and equity analysis.
• Manage benefits programs, including annual renewals and employee communications, ensuring compliance.
• Partner with the CFO on total compensation strategy.
• Coordinate with payroll on off-cycle processing, exception handling, and compliance.
• Foster a high-trust work environment through clear communication, fair processes, and genuine engagement.
• Lead initiatives around recognition, retention, and culture across a mix of on-site and remote employees.
• Guide supervisors through performance management, PIPs, and termination processes.
• Coordinate required compliance training.
• Identify and support leadership development opportunities.
• Track and analyze HR metrics and present data-driven insights and recommendations to leadership.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid by the employer for employees.
• Three weeks of vacation to start.
• Automatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required).
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager