Senior Human Resources Manager

Axillon Aerospace • San Diego, CA

2d • $155,000 - $190,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Human Resources Manager serves as the strategic and operational HR leader for Axillon’s 380-person aerospace manufacturing facility in San Diego, California. The role partners closely with the Site General Manager and leadership team to advance business performance through talent, culture, employee engagement, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. It leads HR functions including employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, benefits, labor compliance, organizational development, succession planning, and workforce planning. The position balances strategic business partnership with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment supporting aerospace and defense customers.

The manager leads and develops the site HR team, which includes an HR Business Partner and Coordinator, and works frequently with production, engineering, quality, supply chain, finance, and executive leadership. The role is primarily onsite, includes regular presence on the manufacturing floor, and may require occasional travel of up to 10% to other facilities.

Axillon describes its total rewards offering as including competitive compensation, performance-based incentive opportunities, health and wellness benefits, retirement savings programs, paid time off, and professional growth and development opportunities. The annual base salary range is $155,000–$190,000; the final offer depends on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and market competitiveness. The role may also be eligible for performance-based incentives and comprehensive benefits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 8–12+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• At least 5 years supporting manufacturing operations.
• At least 3 years in an HR leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law.
• Experience leading complex employee relations matters.
• Experience partnering with senior business leaders.
• Demonstrated success in organizational change and talent development.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and coaching skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification.
• Aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of government contracting requirements and ITAR/EAR regulations.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Site General Manager and leadership team on organizational design, workforce planning, talent strategy, and employee engagement.
• Translate business objectives into people strategies that improve operational performance.
• Coach leaders on performance management, leadership effectiveness, conflict resolution, and change management.
• Lead organizational initiatives that support business growth, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Lead complex employee relations investigations and recommend actions to minimize organizational risk.
• Foster accountability, inclusion, and high performance; ensure consistent application of policies and employment practices; and resolve sensitive workplace issues confidentially and professionally.
• Partner with recruiting to attract and retain manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, and leadership talent; develop workforce plans; monitor hiring metrics; improve recruiting effectiveness; and support onboarding.
• Lead annual performance reviews and talent assessments, identify high-potential employees and succession plans, develop leadership capability, and support career development and internal mobility.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, California state, and local employment laws and relevant regulations, including government contractor requirements as applicable.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Partner with Corporate HR and Compensation on compensation programs, salary planning, promotions, incentive programs, and market analyses; assist employees with benefit programs and wellness initiatives.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance; align staffing plans with production schedules; and drive improvements in retention, attendance, productivity, and engagement.
• Use HR metrics to identify trends and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead site HR processes, including performance management, onboarding and offboarding, investigations, leave administration, policy administration, HRIS transactions, and employee communications.
• Ensure accurate HR reporting and workforce analytics.
• Lead and develop the site HR staff, build a collaborative and customer-focused HR team, improve HR processes and service delivery, and champion diversity and engagement initiatives.
• Occasionally travel to other facilities, up to 10%.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Performance-based incentive opportunities.
• Health and wellness benefits.
• Retirement savings programs.
• Paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Comprehensive benefits (as described as potentially included in the broader total rewards program).

What This Job Offers

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