Help Build Europe’s Hypersonic Capability
At Hypersonica, we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology. We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard. We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast.
As our People Operations Associate, you will help build the operating system that supports one of Europe’s highest-performing engineering teams. This is not a corporate HR admin role. You will work directly with the Head of People and Performance to keep hiring, onboarding, people processes, performance cycles, documentation, and employee operations running with speed, clarity, and discipline.
We are deliberately talent dense. Every hire matters. Every process should make the company faster, clearer, and more accountable. If you are highly organised, commercially minded, strong on UK HR fundamentals, and motivated by supporting exceptional people in a high-performance environment, we want to hear from you.
What you'll do
- Onboarding & Lifecycle
- Execute end-to-end new hire onboarding: documentation, contracts, culture, system setup, compliance checks
- Design AI-assisted workflows to automate repetitive tasks and scale seamlessly
- Data & Systems
- Maintain clean, accurate employee records in HiBob/SAP SuccessFactors
- Implement AI-driven validation and anomaly detection to ensure data integrity
- HR Processes
- Coordinate performance cycles (probation, objectives, feedback, documentation)
- Ensure compliance with UK employment law, security, and data protection
- Build reusable templates and workflows managers can execute independently
- Automation & Iteration
- Identify broken or slow processes; redesign using AI tools for efficiency
- Continuously test, measure, and optimize workflows for scale
- Reduce manual touchpoints through intelligent automation
- Reporting & Insights
- Create dashboards for headcount, onboarding, probation, turnover, absence
- Use AI to surface trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
- Cross-Functional Coordination
- Partner with our Talent, IT, Finance, Security, Facilities teams on employee onboardings and transitions
- First point of contact for UK employees on onboarding, benefits, policies
- Onboarding & Lifecycle
Core Mission:
Build and operate scalable HR processes for Hypersonica using AI automation. Own onboarding, employee lifecycle management, compliance, and performance coordination - with a focus on designing repeatable, AI-enabled workflows that grow with our company.
Support Saskia, our Head of People and Performance across day-to-day people operations like
Who you are
- Proven HR operations background with UK employment law in a start-up or fast-moving business.
- Hands-on experience building and using AI tools for HR automation, data analysis, and document generation.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement scalable, complex processes.
- Proficiency with HRIS platforms (HiBob, SuccessFactors, or equivalent).
- Data-driven mindset, strong written communication skills. Able to work with senior leaders, managers, engineers, and new starters with confidence and professionalism.
- Discreet, mature and trusted with confidential people matters.
- Proactive by default. Comfortable operating in a high-performance environment where standards are high, pace is fast, and people decisions matter.
- Experience in aerospace, defence, engineering, manufacturing, technology, or another high-consequence environment preferred.
- Bachelors degree, or similar professional qualification in HR, Business or similar subject is preferred.
- Motivated by building a people function that increases company velocity, protects standards and helps exceptional people do their best work.
- Fluent in English.
What success looks like
New starters are onboarded cleanly, quickly and with no avoidable confusion.
HRIS tools and people records are accurate, complete and audit-ready.
Our processes like probation, performance, and onboarding are tracked and followed through and can scale.
UK HR administration is compliant, fast, and reliable.
Due to the nature of the work with the UK MoD, applicants must be a British Citizen, or a dual national holding British citizenship, and eligible for UK Security Clearance and where required, Developed Vetting.
What we offer
A mission-driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.
Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, defence, and business functions, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.
High ownership and autonomy; no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes.
A fast-paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly and broken processes are fixed rather than tolerated.
A culture that values clarity, integrity, excellence, and direct feedback.
Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.
At Hypersonica, every hire raises the bar. We are deliberately small, intensely capable, and deeply mission-driven. If this role feels like a strong fit, or if you believe you bring something exceptional that goes beyond the description, we encourage you to apply.
Hypersonica is an equal-opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.
Skills Required
- Hands-on People or HR Associate experience supporting UK employees in a start-up or fast-moving business
- Strong working knowledge of UK HR fundamentals (contracts, right-to-work, probation, absence, employee records, basic employment law)
- Experience using HR systems and maintaining accurate people data
- Experience with HiBob
- Highly organised, detail driven and practical; able to manage multiple onboarding and employee lifecycle tasks
- Strong written communication and stakeholder management with senior leaders, managers, engineers, and new starters
- Discreet, mature and trusted with confidential people matters
- Proactive, comfortable operating in a high-performance, fast-paced environment
- Experience in aerospace, defence, engineering, manufacturing, or high-consequence environments
- Bachelors degree or similar professional HR/Business qualification
- Must be a British citizen (or dual national including British citizenship) and eligible for UK Security Clearance and, where required, Developed Vetting
What We Do
Hypersonica is a mission-driven European defense and aerospace company that develops next-generation hypersonic systems for military and civilian applications. Founded in 2023, the company aims to equip European allies with sovereign, cost-effective hypersonic strike capabilities. By utilizing a modular architecture and rapid iteration, they significantly reduce development costs and timelines, focusing on enhancing Europe's defense autonomy and technological independence in a complex global security environment.
