Director, People Business Partners (Aerospace)

Location: Hybrid role near Long Beach, California, with some work required onsite. Candidates must meet U.S. government export-control eligibility requirements: U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, protected individual status, or eligibility to obtain required authorizations.

Base salary: $175,000–$285,000, plus equity and benefits.

Company

Build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors for space superiority and defense.

What you will do

• Lead, hire, coach, and develop the People Business Partner team.
• Own the executive partnership model and advise leaders on organizational health, leadership gaps, people risks, and difficult decisions.
• Define a scalable operating model for People Business Partners and their interaction with People Operations.
• Lead calibration and talent reviews, strengthen manager capability, and support evidence-based talent decisions.
• Translate attrition, engagement, and other people data into clear recommendations for leaders.
• Partner with Talent, Total Rewards, People Operations, and Legal on programs and complex employee relations matters.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in People roles, including several years as a senior PBP or HRBP supporting executives.
• Experience managing and developing a team of business partners.
• Experience in high-growth environments and rapid organizational scaling.
• Strong organizational design, performance management, calibration, and talent review skills.
• Sound judgment in employee relations, risk management, and escalation to Legal or the Chief People Officer.
• Data fluency and the ability to provide direct, actionable recommendations with warmth and clarity.

Nice to have

• Experience in fast-moving technology, aerospace, or defense organizations.
• Experience scaling through Series C/D or later-stage milestones.
• Familiarity with compliance requirements for cleared or government-facing workforces.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work environment with required onsite work near Long Beach.
• Health, dental, vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO, and paid holidays.
• 401(k), parental leave, and equity.
• Values emphasize creativity, ambitious problem-solving, directness, and teamwork.