Joblaze summary

In the role of Senior HR Business Partner at K2 Space, the individual will focus on shaping the company's culture and implementing HR strategies that support its ambitious growth in the aerospace sector. Key skills include a strong grasp of labor laws, experience in high-growth environments, and the ability to coach managers effectively. This position is ideal for seasoned HR professionals with a background in technical or engineering fields, particularly those familiar with California regulations. K2 Space offers a unique opportunity to build HR functions from the ground up in a rapidly evolving industry.

Joblaze insights

Listed about 2 months ago — first seen on Joblaze September 3, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page November 14, 2026.
Salary band is in line with the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$130,000).
Starts above 17% of 1294 comparable senior other roles in United States we track (median $143,000 across 187 companies).

Quick facts

What's the salary range?: K2 Space lists $120,000–$150,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 8 years of relevant experience for this Senior HR Business Partner role.
What seniority level is this role?: K2 Space targets senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Senior HR Business Partner role at K2 Space.

From the original posting

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The Role

As a Senior HR Business Partner at K2 Space you will play a pivotal role in shaping our company's culture and people strategy. You will work closely with leadership to design and implement HR initiatives that align with our mission, fostering an innovative and inclusive environment where top talent can thrive. You will serve as a strategic partner and reliable resource for engineering people managers and individual contributors, creating a positive and productive work environment. Leverage your well-honed understanding of applicable labor and employment law to ensure the company is as compliant as it is compelling. This is a unique opportunity to build the HR function from the ground up in a dynamic, cutting-edge industry, driving impact at every level of the organization. If you're passionate about people and space, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnership

Partner with engineering and operational leadership to anticipate workforce risks and support organizational scaling across all sites
Serve as a trusted, high-judgment advisor to people managers and individual contributors on core HR matters
Contribute to strategic initiatives that support company goals, including diversity and inclusion efforts and workforce development programs

Employee Relations & Compliance
- Proactively identify and resolve employee relations matters before they escalate, and manage existing matters in a timely, fair, and collaborative way
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across multiple states
- Identify, build, and implement HR policies and processes required to meet legal and contractual obligations while enabling the business to scale
Manager Coaching & Leadership Development
- Coach managers on how to address people matters confidentially, compliantly, and with consistency
- Build manager capability that translates into high-performing, well-supported engineering teams
- Respond to employee questions with clear, accurate guidance on core HR functions
Talent Strategy & Retention
- Drive internal initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention
- Partner on succession planning and longer-term leadership development to build internal talent readiness

Qualifications

8+ years as an HR Business Partner, including experience with technical, engineering, or operational teams
Demonstrated success operating in high-growth, fast-scaling startup environments
Experience in a California-based aerospace, engineering, technology, or hardware manufacturing company
Proven ability to influence and coach managers and individual contributors, resolving complex matters without damaging relationships, and coaching leaders toward consistently high-performing teams
Hands-on experience independently managing complex employee relations matters, internal investigations, and other contentious issues
Experience with succession planning and leadership development to build internal talent readiness
Direct experience with California labor and employment law, including wage and hour matters, exempt/non-exempt classifications, and employee entitlements
Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and own complex, multi-stakeholder projects
Direct experience with HRIS and performance management tools (e.g., 15Five, Rippling, Leapsome, Lattice, ADP Workforce Now)
Experience with AI tools and applications

Nice to Have

Professional HR certifications such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR
Utilization of people data analytics to make recommendations and impact outcomes
Experience managing HR functions for non-exempt employees with specific experience with California labor regulations

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $120,000 – $170,000 + equity in the company
Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

Standard company text repeated across K2 Space's postings is omitted here.

Senior HR Business Partner

Similar positions