Senior Human Resources Specialist

Turion Space is building the future of autonomous space operations by designing and flying spacecraft that make Earth orbit safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Our team moves fast and executes with precision. As a Senior Human Resources Specialist, you’ll play a critical role in supporting our people operations infrastructure by ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a seamless employee experience from onboarding through every stage of the employee lifecycle.

You’ll serve as the go-to person for HR systems, payroll, and compliance while supporting the growth and engagement of Turion’s high-performing teams. This is a hands-on role with plenty of opportunities to improve processes, drive operational excellence, and shape the foundation of HR at a rapidly scaling aerospace company.

This position will be located on-site at our HQ in Irvine, CA

Key Responsibilities

• HR Systems & Data Management

  • Serve as the subject matter expert for HRIS and related systems, maintaining accuracy, security, and confidentiality of employee information.

  • Maintain and update employee records in compliance with data protection and retention requirements.

  • Support HR reporting and analytics initiatives to provide insights that guide business decisions.

• Payroll Administration & Tax Compliance

  • Ensure accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll processing in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

  • Manage payroll data integrity within Gusto, including wages, benefits, PTO, exemptions, and insurance deductions.

  • Oversee payroll reconciliations and accruals for month-end close; collect and verify timekeeping records for non-exempt employees.

• Onboarding & Offboarding

  • Coordinate all aspects of onboarding and offboarding, including new hire paperwork, benefits setup, IT coordination, and exit documentation.

  • Process employee lifecycle changes for new hires, transfers, promotions, temporary workers, and terminations.

• Benefits Administration, Training, and Compliance

  • Liaise with benefit providers and employees to ensure accurate data and timely issue resolution.

  • Manage benefits data entry across health, dental, vision, and FSA programs.

  • Support workers’ compensation claims, including reporting, coordination with carriers, and follow-up.

  • Manage compliance and training programs, ensuring completion of legally required and internal courses.

• Employee Support & Process Improvement

  • Act as a trusted point of contact for employee questions regarding payroll, benefits, policies, and HR systems.

  • Stay current on employment law updates and HR best practices to maintain compliance and drive continuous improvement.

  • Contribute to HR initiatives that enhance efficiency, compliance, employee engagement, and overall experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Minimum 6 years of HR experience with exposure to payroll, compliance, training, and employee records management.

• Knowledge of HR best practices, federal and California employment laws, and data privacy standards.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

• Proficiency with HRIS systems (e.g., Gusto) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-tech industries.

• Experience working in a high-growth startup environment.

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

• Professional certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent).

• Experience using HR analytics tools or dashboards to support decision-making.

• Demonstrated ability to balance hands-on execution with process and systems.

Human Resources Specialist: $120,000 - $150,000

ITAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:​

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents. ​

• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future. ​

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge. ​

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment. ​

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.