Senior Human Resources Manager

Axillon is looking for an exceptional Senior HR Manager in San Diego to join our team and help shape the future of our rapidly growing aerospace organization! This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic, hands-on HR leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, partners closely with business leaders, and knows how to translate people strategy into measurable business results.

The Senior Human Resources Manager serves as the strategic and operational HR leader for a 380-person aerospace manufacturing facility in San Diego, CA. This role partners closely with the Site General Manager and leadership team to drive business performance through talent, culture, employee engagement, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. The Senior HR Manager provides leadership across all areas of Human Resources, including employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, benefits, labor compliance, organizational development, succession planning, and workforce planning.

This leader is expected to balance strategic business partnership with hands-on operational execution in a fast-paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment supporting aerospace and defense customers.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Site General Manager and leadership team on organizational design, workforce planning, talent strategy, and employee engagement.
• Translate business objectives into people strategies that improve operational performance.
• Coach leaders on performance management, leadership effectiveness, conflict resolution, and change management.
• Lead organizational initiatives supporting business growth, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Employee Relations

• Lead complex employee relations investigations and provide recommendations that minimize organizational risk.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and high performance.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies and employment practices.
• Resolve sensitive workplace issues while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Partner with recruiting to attract and retain skilled manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, and leadership talent.
• Develop workforce plans supporting production demand and business growth.
• Monitor hiring metrics and improve recruiting effectiveness.
• Support onboarding programs that accelerate employee integration and retention.

Performance Management & Talent Development

• Lead annual performance review processes and talent assessment initiatives.
• Partner with leaders to identify high-potential employees and succession plans.
• Develop leadership capability through coaching, development programs, and training.
• Support career development and internal mobility initiatives.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, California state, and local employment laws.
• Maintain compliance with:
• FLSA
• FMLA
• ADA
• FEHA
• California wage and hour laws
• Workers' Compensation
• OSHA partnership requirements
• EEO/AA regulations
• Government contractor requirements (as applicable)
• Support internal and external audits.

Compensation & Benefits

• Partner with Corporate HR and Compensation to administer competitive compensation programs.
• Support salary planning, promotions, incentive programs, and market analyses.
• Assist employees with benefit programs and wellness initiatives.

Manufacturing Partnership

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance leaders.
• Support staffing plans aligned with production schedules.
• Drive initiatives that improve retention, attendance, productivity, and employee engagement.
• Utilize HR metrics to identify trends and recommend corrective actions.

HR Operations

• Lead site HR processes including:
• Performance management
• Employee onboarding/offboarding
• Investigations
• Leave administration
• Policy administration
• HRIS transactions
• Employee communications
• Ensure accurate HR reporting and workforce analytics.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and develop site HR staff (HR Business Partner and Coordinator)
• Build a collaborative, customer-focused HR team.
• Drive continuous improvement of HR processes and service delivery.
• Champion diversity and engagement initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8–12+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Minimum 5 years supporting manufacturing operations.
• Minimum 3 years in an HR leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law.
• Experience leading complex employee relations matters.
• Experience partnering with senior business leaders.
• Demonstrated success in organizational change and talent development.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and coaching skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification.
• Aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of government contracting requirements and ITAR/EAR regulations.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.

Key Competencies

• Embrace Change
• Take Action
• Promote Teamwork
• Support Growth
• Encourage Transparency
• Think Strategically

Success Measures

Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate will:

• Build trusted partnerships with site leadership.
• Improve employee engagement and retention metrics.
• Reduce time-to-fill for critical manufacturing positions.
• Strengthen leadership capability through coaching and development.
• Maintain 100% compliance with employment regulations and company policies.
• Improve HR service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Support achievement of site productivity, quality, and safety objectives.

Work Environment

• Primarily onsite at a 380-person aerospace manufacturing facility.
• Frequent interaction with production, engineering, quality, and executive leadership.
• Regular presence on the manufacturing floor.
• Occasional travel (up to 10%) to other facilities.

Total Rewards

At Axillon, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We offer a competitive total rewards package designed to attract, reward, and retain exceptional talent. Our comprehensive offering includes competitive compensation, performance-based incentive opportunities, health and wellness benefits, retirement savings programs, paid time off, and opportunities for professional growth and development. We are committed to creating an environment where our employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact as we grow and innovate.

The compensation range for this position is between $155,000 and $190,000 annually. This range reflects the anticipated base salary for the role and considers factors such as relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and market competitiveness. This final offer will be determined based on these considerations. This role is also eligible for Axillon's broader total rewards program, which may include performance-based incentives and comprehensive benefits.