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
U.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. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, 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. 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 care 401k & Retirement Plans Unlimited PTO Weekly Paid Office Lunches End of Year Bonuses Fully stocked breakrooms Stock Options Paid Parental Leave