What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior HR Business Partner - Manufacturing position at Allen Control Systems?
Company Overview
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.
With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.
About The Role
We are looking for a Senior HR Business Partner - Manufacturing to build and operate all HR systems for our manufacturing organization while serving as the trusted, embedded HR advisor to manufacturing leadership. This is a 50/50 hybrid role: architect designing performance management frameworks, discipline processes, compensation structures, and talent programs from scratch, and operational partner handling complex employee relations cases and day-to-day HR advisory. Manufacturing has zero existing HR infrastructure, making this a mission-critical role that establishes the HR foundation for hypergrowth from startup to enterprise scale.
What You’ll Do
Serve as the primary, embedded HR advisor to manufacturing leadership, managers, and supervisors; handle complex employee relations cases, investigations, grievances, and sensitive matters; coach managers on performance management, difficult conversations, and corrective action execution.
Design and establish performance management frameworks tailored to manufacturing operations, including rating scales, competency models, evaluation criteria, progressive discipline processes, and documentation standards.
Build compensation structures, job families, and pay-for-performance models for manufacturing roles; establish HR policies, procedures, and governance frameworks from scratch.
Develop talent management programs including career pathing, retention initiatives, succession planning, and leadership development pipelines for critical manufacturing roles.
Analyze workforce trends and talent metrics; scale HR systems as manufacturing grows from 350 to 1000 employees; ensure compliance with employment law (FLSA, discrimination, wage-and-hour) and report on organizational health to leadership.
What You’ll Need
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or a related field.
5–7 years of progressive HR experience with demonstrated ability to build and scale HR functions.
2 years of manufacturing or operations background; essential for credibility with manufacturing teams.
Proven experience designing or implementing performance management and discipline systems; experience managing complex ER cases, investigations, and sensitive employee matters.
Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and wage-and-hour requirements.
You’ll Stand Out
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
Experience building HR functions from scratch in a startup or scaling environment.
Background in designing compensation or job architecture for manufacturing or operational roles.
Understanding of lean manufacturing or continuous improvement principles.
What We Offer
Competitive salary
ACS Equity Package
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #LI-AS1