At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll, onboarding, compliance, and employee queries at our new US manufacturing site.
- Company: Join UFORCE, a cutting-edge defence-technology company making aggression unaffordable.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, and the chance to shape a new site.
- Other info: Dynamic role with direct visibility to leadership and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in launching a new facility and impacting global operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll, HRIS administration, and compliance reporting required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
UFORCE exists to make aggression unaffordable. Founded in Ukraine and headquartered in London, UFORCE is a defence-technology company with operations across Europe, the United States and Asia. UFORCE builds uncrewed vessels, ground robotics and aircraft, autonomy software, and the command-and-control layer that operates them together. Each platform is deployable on its own, and stronger as part of the system.
About the role
UFORCE is standing up its first US manufacturing site, and we're looking for a People Operations Generalist to be the people ops engine behind it. You'll own payroll for the site — hourly and salaried — end to end: accurate, on time, and audit-ready. Around that sits everything a new site needs day to day: onboarding, compliance reporting, benefits coordination, training, and being the person employees come to with HR and payroll questions.
You won't be building this from nothing. The global People team has built the policies, guidelines and procedures and will stand up the HRIS, and you'll have a Senior Payroll Specialist alongside you for setup and the complex items. Your job is to make it all work on the ground — and to land global people cycles locally with managers who have a production line to run.
The role is based in Virginia or South Carolina, hybrid, with regular time on-site at the manufacturing facility. It's broad, hands-on ownership with direct visibility to leadership and a real hand in the site's launch.
What you'll do
- Complete payroll and timekeeping setup for the site — payroll tool configuration, timekeeping system, UI registration and tax liabilities — with our Senior Payroll Specialist, validated before the first employee is paid.
- Independently run accurate, on-time payroll for hourly and salaried employees, including overtime, shift differentials and off-cycle corrections.
- Prepare payroll reporting on cadence, keep payroll operations documented, and support Finance through audit.
- Own recurring compliance reporting and filings: payroll tax, wage and hour, I-9 and E-Verify, exempt vs. non-exempt classification, labor-law postings and record retention.
- Run onboarding end to end in the HRIS — paperwork, verification, benefits enrollment, training assignment and orientation — for both hourly and salaried hires.
- Maintain the HRIS and personnel files as an accurate, compliant, audit-ready system of record.
- Coordinate benefits vendors and brokers on enrollment, eligibility, open enrollment, renewal and ACA reporting, and flag where the offer isn't landing for the hourly population.
- Manage training assignments and track completion.
- Act as the day-to-day point of contact for employee HR and payroll queries at the site, against clear service standards.
- Land global people cycles locally — performance and probation reviews, engagement survey, people comms — briefing managers, running local logistics, chasing completion and feeding issues back to global People.
Required Skills
- Independent, end-to-end ownership of US payroll for both hourly and salaried employees, including timekeeping, overtime and corrections.
- Strong US employment compliance and reporting: federal and state filings, wage and hour, I-9, exempt vs. non-exempt classification and record-keeping.
- Hands-on HRIS administration (Rippling, ADP, Paylocity, BambooHR, UKG, Workday or similar), with responsibility for data integrity and audit-readiness.
- Experience standing up HR at a new or greenfield US site, or transitioning a company off a PEO into in-house payroll and HR.
- Manufacturing, plant, warehouse or other industrial HR experience with a significant hourly population — ideally in cleared-facility or defense manufacturing.
- Comfort operating as the sole on-site HR person: self-directed, organized under ambiguity, leaves clean and auditable records.
Nice to have
- Federal contractor environment: E-Verify, OFCCP, or export-control-adjacent HR experience.
- Direct experience registering and running payroll and tax in multiple states.
- Benefits administration depth: open enrollment, carrier and broker coordination, ACA.
- LMS or training program administration.
- Experience delivering centrally designed people processes with frontline managers.
- SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP, PHR / SPHR, FPC or CPP certification.
The nature of combat has changed. Tomorrow’s battlefield success depends on autonomy, speed, and adaptability. And UFORCE is ready. Are You?
People Operations Generalist in London employer: UFORCE
UFORCE is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the defence technology sector. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI/ML tools, and the chance to contribute to impactful projects that enhance battlefield capabilities. Located in a vibrant area, UFORCE provides a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Generalist in London
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at UFORCE!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at UFORCE.
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Generalist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at UFORCE. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to UFORCE and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at UFORCE. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to UFORCE's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at UFORCE
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with UFORCE.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at UFORCE will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact UFORCE and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
