Sr HR Manager

Astra’s mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry’s leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.

The Sr HR Manager will oversee full life cycle Human Resources strategy and operations. This role requires deep expertise across compensation planning, job architecture design, performance management, compliance (including FLSA and wage & hour laws, leaves of absences, accommodations), vendor management, payroll, recruiting strategy, and HRIS optimization (including Rippling Unity configuration and support). This role will manage a payroll specialist and recruiter.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience and is fluent in leveraging AI tools to modernize HR operations, improve analytics, and enhance decision-making.

• Design and implement scalable HR infrastructure aligned with rapid company growth.
• Partner with executive leadership on workforce planning and organizational design.
• Build policies and programs that balance compliance, performance, and culture.

• Design and implement performance management programs.
• Build goal-setting (OKRs/KPIs) frameworks aligned to company objectives.
• Train managers on feedback, performance calibration, and development planning.
• Lead performance review cycles and talent planning discussions.

• Design and administer employee engagement surveys.
• Analyze survey data and implement action plans.
• Create manager training programs focused on leadership effectiveness.
• Drive retention strategies and workforce development initiatives.

• Develop scalable recruiting strategies for technical and aerospace talent.
• Partner with hiring managers to build structured interview frameworks.
• Leverage AI-enabled sourcing and screening tools to improve hiring velocity and quality.
• Build employer branding strategies in a competitive aerospace market.
• Partner with manager and legal on consulting and contract agreements.

• Ensure compliance with FLSA, Wage & Hour regulations, and federal/state labor laws.
• Oversee payroll processing and audits.
• Submit required BLS surveys.
• Maintain compliance with timekeeping laws and employment regulations.
• Manage employee relations, investigations, and terminations.
• Ensure compliant onboarding and offboarding processes.

• Oversee onboarding, benefits administration, payroll coordination, and offboarding.
• Develop policies and annual employee handbook updates.
• Support employee relations and conflict resolution.
• Maintain accurate HR documentation and reporting.
• Manage leave of absence and accommodations process.

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience with full life cycle HR ownership.
• Experience in startup or high-growth environments (aerospace, defense, engineering, or deep tech preferred).
• Strong experience in:
• • Performance management systems
  • Employee engagement programs
  • Recruiting strategy and workforce planning
  • Payroll administration
  • FLSA, Wage & Hour, and timekeeping law compliance
• Demonstrated experience using AI tools in HR (e.g., AI-driven recruiting, workforce analytics, automation tools, HR chatbots).
• Proven ability to train and coach managers at all levels.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and risk mitigation.
• Must have min 5 years experience with Rippling HRIS, Talent, Compensation, and Payroll
• Min 5 years experience working with Benefits broker and benefits 401K advisor
• Vendor management: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Fidelity, One Digital, Kaiser, Sequoia, Guardian
• Knowledge of 5500 reporting and other compliance and discrimination testings – FSA, Medicare Part D, DCA
• Bachelor’s degree required

• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability
• High emotional intelligence and sound judgment
• Data-driven decision maker
• Strong systems orientation and technical aptitude
• Ability to build from zero to scale
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast-changing environments

• Experience working in high-growth aerospace, defense, deep tech, or advanced manufacturing environments (e.g., organizations similar to SpaceX, Blue Origin, or Relativity Space).
• Demonstrated success scaling People Operations in a startup environment (Series A–C or rapid headcount growth of 50%+ annually).
• Proven experience implementing and optimizing AI-powered HR technology platforms (e.g., AI-driven engagement tools, predictive performance analytics, intelligent workforce planning systems).
• Experience leveraging advanced HRIS platforms such as Rippling, Workday, ADP, or Culture Amp to drive measurable improvements in engagement and performance.
• Strong background in change management methodologies supporting organizational transformation, digital enablement, and cultural evolution in engineering-driven organizations.
• Experience designing high-performance cultures in technically complex environments with hardware, software, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build leadership capability through structured performance management, succession planning, and executive coaching programs.
• Track record of using people analytics and data visualization tools to influence executive decision-making and workforce strategy.
• Familiarity with compensation strategy for specialized technical talent, including equity design, retention strategies, and pay benchmarking in competitive aerospace markets.
• Experience supporting government contract compliance (e.g., ITAR/EAR awareness) within regulated industries.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to partner effectively with founders, and technical leaders.
• HR certifications (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.

The pay range for this role is: $170,000-195,000