Principal HR Business Partner
$150k - $190k USD
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M 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 rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today’s and tomorrow’s massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.
With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.
The Role
As a Principal HR Business Partner at K2 Space, you will serve as a senior strategic advisor to executive and functional leaders, shaping organizational design, talent strategy, and culture during a critical phase of company growth. Reporting to the Head of People, you will elevate and scale the HRBP function to meet the evolving needs of a high-performance aerospace organization.
You will translate business strategy into people strategy, proactively identifying organizational risks and opportunities, strengthening leadership capability, and ensuring compliance across a complex, multi-state workforce. This role requires strong executive presence, deep labor and employment expertise (particularly in California), and the ability to operate strategically while remaining effective in high-stakes, hands-on situations.
If you are energized by building high-performing teams, influencing senior leaders, and shaping the next phase of growth in a cutting-edge space company, this role is for you.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to executives, aligning organizational design, workforce planning, and talent strategy to business objectives
- Lead and scale the HRBP function, developing two direct reports and establishing high standards for strategic partnership and operational excellence
- Coach and influence senior leaders through complex organizational, performance, and leadership challenges
- Own complex employee relations matters and investigations, ensuring fair, timely, and legally sound outcomes while mitigating organizational risk
- Provide deep expertise in California labor law and multi-state compliance, proactively safeguarding the company as it scales
- Translate organizational insights and people data into actionable strategies that improve engagement, performance, and retention
- Partner cross-functionally to drive scalable people programs, change management efforts, and culture initiatives aligned with company growth and mission milestones
Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including substantial experience at a senior or principal HRBP level
- Experience managing and developing HR team members
- Demonstrated success advising executives in high-growth, fast-paced environments
- Deep expertise in California labor and employment law, including wage and hour compliance, exempt/non-exempt classification, and investigations
- Strong executive presence with the ability to influence highly technical leaders
- Proven ability to design and implement scalable people strategies tied directly to business outcomes
Nice to Have
- SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent advanced certification
- Experience in aerospace, engineering, hardware, or advanced technology startups
- Experience scaling organizations through rapid growth and major program milestones
- Strong background in people analytics and data-driven decision making
- Experience supporting mixed exempt and non-exempt workforces, including manufacturing or lab environments
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range for this role is $150k – $190k + equity
- Salary will be based on several factors, including knowledge, experience, and scope of leadership.
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional company 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!
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 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.