HR Generalist

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage. The HR Generalist provides on-site People Operations support for the Los Angeles office. This role is responsible for executing core HR programs with a focus on employee relations, investigations, onboarding, and terminations. The Generalist partners closely with People Ops leadership and site leaders to ensure consistent, compliant, and high-quality employee experiences.    This is an execution-focused role that requires strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism.  Responsibilities:

Employee Relations & Investigations 

Provide localized, on-site HR support for employee relations matters 

Support internal investigations, including intake, fact-finding, documentation, and coordination 

Facilitate mediation and difficult conversations with employees and managers 

Ensure issues are handled consistently, confidentially, and in alignment with company policy and employment law 

Terminations & Risk Support 

Support employee separations, including documentation, coordination, and on-site execution 

Partner with People Ops leadership to ensure compliance and risk mitigation 

Serve as a steady, professional presence during sensitive situations 

Onboarding Execution 

Execute on-site onboarding for new hires in the LA office 

Coordinate with People Ops, IT, Security, Facilities, and Hiring Managers 

Ensure a consistent and high-quality new-hire experience 

Operational Support 

Execute assigned People Ops programs and processes 

Maintain accurate and timely documentation 

Identify process gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement 

Planning & Roadmap 

Maintain a 3–6 month execution roadmap for assigned areas of responsibility 

Balance day-to-day support with planned initiatives 

Deliver work independently while escalating issues appropriately 

Minimum Requirements:

2–4 years of experience in HR, People Operations, or Employee Relations 

Experience supporting employee relations matters and sensitive workplace situations 

Strong written and verbal communication skills 

High attention to detail and strong documentation practices 

Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment 

Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and professionalism 

Comfortable working on-site in a dynamic office setting 

Preferred 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.

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.