People Operations Business Partner - Contract

Commonwealth Fusion Systems • Devens, MA

2d • $45 - $55 • Onsite

About The Position

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is seeking an early-career People Business Partner to provide hands-on, on-site support to a large employee population across manufacturing, engineering, and operational functions. Working closely with Senior People Business Partners and business leaders, this role provides consistent, responsive, and practical people support while developing broad HR business partnering capability.

The People Business Partner is a visible resource for employees and front-line managers, helping with day-to-day employee relations matters, policy interpretation, performance concerns, workforce changes, and other employee lifecycle needs. The position requires sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to build trusted relationships in a fast-paced environment. It is on-site five days per week, with flexible hours as needed to support a growing 24x7 operation. Occasional required nights, weekends, or on-call work may be necessary. This is a contract position paying $45–$55 per hour.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2–5 years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Experience supporting or exposure to employee relations matters, including performance management, attendance, workplace conduct, and manager coaching.
• Experience with or exposure to employee benefits administration, leave administration, or employee lifecycle processes.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work effectively with employees from front-line technicians to senior leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods.
• Dedication to safety in an environment with potential industrial hazards, including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, and cryogenics.
• Willingness to travel or work required nights, weekends, or on-call occasionally.

Nice To Haves

• HR experience in a manufacturing, engineering, technical, industrial, or other fast-paced operational environment.
• Experience supporting a large employee population or multiple business functions.
• Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, R&D, startup, or rapidly scaling organization.
• Experience supporting shift-based, hourly, exempt, and non-exempt employee populations.
• Familiarity with employment law and HR compliance requirements.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification, or progress toward an HR certification.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Senior People Business Partners to support employees across manufacturing, engineering, and other technical or operational functions.
• Serve as a first point of contact for routine employee and manager questions, escalating complex or high-risk matters to a Senior BP or appropriate HR subject matter expert.
• Develop an understanding of the assigned organization, including its workforce needs, structure, operational priorities, and employee challenges.
• Support Senior BPs with leadership meetings, talent discussions, workforce planning, organizational changes, and other people initiatives.
• Identify recurring people issues and trends and share observations and recommendations with the Senior BP team.
• Maintain visibility and accessibility by regularly spending time in assigned work areas.
• Guide and coach managers on routine employee relations matters, including attendance, performance, workplace behavior, policy interpretation, and interpersonal concerns.
• Conduct or support fact-finding and preliminary employee relations reviews under Senior BP guidance.
• Assist with employee investigations, documentation, interviews, and follow-up actions.
• Support employee engagement, retention, recognition, onboarding, and communication initiatives.
• Partner with managers to identify opportunities to improve employee experience, communication, and team effectiveness.
• Help ensure employees across shifts and functions have equitable access to People support and information.
• Support administration and employee communication for leaves of absence, accommodations, and return-to-work processes in partnership with appropriate HR team members.
• Assist with onboarding, internal transfers, promotions, organizational changes, and offboarding.
• Help ensure employee records, HR documentation, and transactions are completed accurately and on time.
• Support implementation of company-wide People programs and initiatives within assigned client groups.
• Assist with performance management, talent review, engagement surveys, compensation processes, and other annual HR cycles.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level