HR Operations Manager in Los Angeles

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Job DescriptionJob DescriptionHermeus is a high-speed aircraft manufacturer focused on the rapid design, build, and test of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft for the interest. Working directly with the Department of Defense, Hermeus delivers capabilities that will ensure that our nation, and our allies, maintain an asymmetric advantage over any and all potential adversaries.
We’re looking for a People Operations Manager to build, lead, and execute People Ops practices in our Los Angeles office. This is a critical hands-on role that will be responsible for scaling our people infrastructure while acting as the go-to partner for local leaders and employees. 
You’ll manage one People Operations Generalist (focused on payroll, benefits, and compliance), and directly support generalist work onsite while we scale the team. This role will also lead the charge in designing and operationalizing scalable HR processes, policies, and tools for our growing LA presence. Responsibilities:

• People Ops Site Lead – LA 
• Serve as the primary People Operations contact for the LA office—partnering closely with team leads, managers, and employees across technical and non-technical functions. 
• Provide hands-on support for HR-related issues in LA including onboarding, offboarding, employee requests, policy questions, and workplace logistics. 
• Collaborate with IT, Security, and Facilities to ensure a smooth employee experience onsite. 

• Team Management 
• Directly manage one People Operations Generalist focused on payroll administration, benefits, and compliance. 
• Support prioritization, execution, and professional development. 
• Serve as player-coach: jumping into execution as needed and guiding long-term capability-building. 

• Policy, Process, and Systems Design 
• Build and document scalable, compliant policies and processes for core People Ops functions (e.g., leave of absence, terminations, onboarding, accommodations, etc.). 
• Partner with broader People Ops leadership to align LA office operations with company-wide practices. 
• Drive operational rigor and improve system workflows (HRIS, ticketing, documentation). 

Minimum Requirements:

• 5+ years of HR/People Operations experience, including at least 1–2 years of people management. 
• Experience owning and improving People Ops policies and workflows (especially in CA). 
• Knowledge of CA-specific labor laws and compliance requirements. 
• Hands-on operational experience with payroll, onboarding, benefits, and employee relations. 
• Comfort operating as both a strategic partner and a tactical executor. 
• Ability to build trust quickly, especially in a cross-functional, high-performance culture. 

Skills & Responsibilities

• Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, defense, or high-growth startup environments. 

• Familiarity with systems like ADP, Lattice, Lever, Jira, Confluence, etc. 

• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent) a plus. 

Working Conditions:

• Role is based on-site at the Los Angeles facility to ensure strong collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams.
• Primarily office-based, with regular engagement on the production floor to support workforce initiatives and employee relations.
• Occasional travel to other Hermeus locations may be required for meetings, training, or company events.
• May involve extended hours during peak business cycles or critical program milestones.
• Fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative environment aligned with Hermeus’ rapid design, build, and test culture.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent walking through office, manufacturing, and test facility environments.
• Occasional standing, bending, or reaching as part of employee engagement or site walkthroughs.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally (e.g., employee materials, office supplies, or equipment).
• Ability to adhere to safety requirements and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering production or test areas.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced aerospace environment with exposure to light industrial noise and activity.

The salary information provided is a general guideline only. Hermeus takes various factors into account, including, but not limited to, the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's professional background, education and training, essential skills, and market and business considerations, when presenting a job offer.  Salary is only one part of our total compensation and benefits package. Hermeus offers competitive salary and equity, unlimited PTO policy, paid parental leave, potential for year-end bonuses, and more! 100% employer-paid health care401k & Retirement PlansUnlimited PTOWeekly Paid Office LunchesEnd of Year BonusesFully stocked breakroomsStock Options  Paid Parental LeaveU.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. , U.S. , lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending. 
EQUAL OPPORTUNITYHermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to , , , , /, veteran status, status, , , , marital status, mental or physical , or any other legally protected status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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