Senior People Operations Generalist

Cowboy Space Corp.

9d•$160,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

Cowboy Space Corp is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient, and continuous space-based solar energy. We are tackling humanity’s most complex engineering challenge with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Aetherflux is transforming how civilization powers, computes, and connects—from orbit to Earth. As Senior People Operations Partner, you will serve as the strategic and operational backbone of the People function for our growing Seattle office. Reporting directly to the Head of People, you will be a trusted partner and force multiplier — someone who can build structure where none exists, execute with precision, and keep the human element at the center of everything we do. This is a rare opportunity to shape the people infrastructure of a company at an inflection point — scaling from 55 to 200+ employees — and to leave a lasting imprint on how Cowboy Space attracts, develops, and retains world-class talent. This role is ideal for a seasoned HR professional who is equally comfortable building strategy and rolling up their sleeves to get things done.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience as an HR generalist or People Operations partner in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
Strong strategic thinking paired with hands-on operational execution
Experience owning employee lifecycle programs, onboarding, and offboarding
Experience evaluating, implementing, or administering HRIS/payroll systems (e.g., Gusto and successor platforms)
Experience administering employee benefits programs and partnering with brokers and vendors
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment law, including Washington State requirements
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
High degree of discretion, empathy, and sound judgment in handling employee relations matters
Ability to build structure and process in ambiguous, rapidly changing environments

Nice To Haves

Startup, aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, or deep-tech experience is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as a day-to-day strategic partner to the Head of People, helping translate business goals into people programs and initiatives
Act as a trusted advisor to Seattle-based leadership and employees across all people-related matters
Contribute to the development and execution of the company-wide people strategy as the organization scales
Help establish the Seattle office as a cultural anchor for the company's growing footprint
Own and continuously improve the full employee lifecycle experience — from pre-boarding through offboarding — ensuring every touchpoint is intentional, consistent, and human-centered
Design and implement scalable onboarding programs that set new hires up for success from day one, with clear role expectations, stakeholder checklists, and templated communications
Manage offboarding processes with care and professionalism, capturing insights that inform retention strategy
Lead the evaluation and transition from Gusto to a more robust HRIS/payroll platform capable of supporting the company's rapid growth trajectory
Own data integrity, reporting, and process documentation within people systems
Identify opportunities to automate and streamline people operations workflows as the company scales
Administer and manage employee benefits programs including health, dental, vision, retirement, and ancillary benefits
Lead a strategic review and redesign of the benefits package to ensure competitiveness in attracting and retaining senior-level talent in the aerospace and deep-tech space
Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits vendors, brokers, and employees with benefits-related questions
Monitor participation rates, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness, making data-informed recommendations for program improvements
Design and execute employee engagement initiatives that foster connection, trust, and belonging across a distributed and rapidly growing team
Build and maintain feedback mechanisms (surveys, pulse checks, stay interviews) that give leadership real-time insight into employee sentiment
Partner with leadership to develop and embed company values into everyday practices, programs, and communications
Support the planning and execution of team events, all-hands meetings, and culture-building moments
Partner with the Head of People and hiring managers to support recruiting efforts, particularly for the Seattle office
Assist with job description development, interview process design, and candidate experience
Support onboarding coordination and ensure a seamless handoff from recruiting to day one
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across all people practices
Develop, maintain, and communicate HR policies and the employee handbook, keeping them current and accessible
Manage employee relations matters with discretion, empathy, and sound judgment, escalating as appropriate