Principal HR Business Partner

K2 Space • Los Angeles, CA

6d

About The Position

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we’re mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space. The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today’s and tomorrow’s massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits. With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply. The Role As a Principal HR Business Partner at K2 Space, you will serve as a senior strategic advisor to executive and functional leaders, shaping organizational design, talent strategy, and culture during a critical phase of company growth. Reporting to the Head of People, you will elevate and scale the HRBP function to meet the evolving needs of a high-performance aerospace organization. You will translate business strategy into people strategy, proactively identifying organizational risks and opportunities, strengthening leadership capability, and ensuring compliance across a complex, multi-state workforce. This role requires strong executive presence, deep labor and employment expertise (particularly in California), and the ability to operate strategically while remaining effective in high-stakes, hands-on situations. If you are energized by building high-performing teams, influencing senior leaders, and shaping the next phase of growth in a cutting-edge space company, this role is for you.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including substantial experience at a senior or principal HRBP level
• Experience managing and developing HR team members
• Demonstrated success advising executives in high-growth, fast-paced environments
• Deep expertise in California labor and employment law, including wage and hour compliance, exempt/non-exempt classification, and investigations
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence highly technical leaders
• Proven ability to design and implement scalable people strategies tied directly to business outcomes

Nice To Haves

• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent advanced certification
• Experience in aerospace, engineering, hardware, or advanced technology startups
• Experience scaling organizations through rapid growth and major program milestones
• Strong background in people analytics and data-driven decision making
• Experience supporting mixed exempt and non-exempt workforces, including manufacturing or lab environments

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to executives, aligning organizational design, workforce planning, and talent strategy to business objectives
• Lead and scale the HRBP function, developing two direct reports and establishing high standards for strategic partnership and operational excellence
• Coach and influence senior leaders through complex organizational, performance, and leadership challenges
• Own complex employee relations matters and investigations, ensuring fair, timely, and legally sound outcomes while mitigating organizational risk
• Provide deep expertise in California labor law and multi-state compliance, proactively safeguarding the company as it scales
• Translate organizational insights and people data into actionable strategies that improve engagement, performance, and retention
• Partner cross-functionally to drive scalable people programs, change management efforts, and culture initiatives aligned with company growth and mission milestones

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional company perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed