People Operations Associate

Help Build Europe’s Hypersonic Capability

At Hypersonica, we’reredefiningwhat’spossible in Europeandefencetechnology.

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 deliberatelytalentdense.

Every hire matters.

Every process should make the company faster, clearer, and more accountable.

If you are highlyorganised, 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

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

• 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 Hi Bob/SAP Success Factors
• 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

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 (Hi Bob, Success Factors, 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, matureand trusted with confidential people matters.
• Proactive by default. Comfortable operating in a high-performance environment where standards are high, pace is fast, andpeopledecisions matter.
• Experience in aerospace, defence, engineering, manufacturing, technology, or another high-consequence environment preferred.
• Bachelorsdegree, or similar professional qualification in HR, Business or similar subject is preferred.
• Motivated by building a people function that increases company velocity, protectsstandardsand 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.
• UKHR administration is compliant, fast, and reliable.

Due to the nature of the work with the UK Mo D, applicants must be a British Citizen, or a dual national holding British citizenship, and eligible for UK Security Clearance and whererequired, Developed Vetting.

What we offer

• A mission-driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequentialdefencechallenges, withdirectimpact 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, justclearobjectivesand accountability for outcomes.
• A fast-paced environment wheregood ideasare implementedquicklyand 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.

Hypersonicais anequal-opportunityemployer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.

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