HR People & Culture Generalist

About Blackwave

Blackwave designs, manufactures and ships flight-qualified, commercial off-the-shelf composite over wrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for launch vehicles and satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company delivers COPVs from a standardized portfolio with flight heritage. The approach reduces lead time from months to days while ensuring that each tank is qualified and flight-ready. Blackwave's mission is to end COPV failure in spaceflight.

The company employs more than 150 people across manufacturing facilities in Germany and Texas.

More information at  and the procurement platform

Build and own the HR and People function for Blackwave's growing US organization.

As we scale our US operations, you'll establish the processes, systems, and employee experience that allow our team to grow successfully. You'll work closely with our Head of People & Culture in Germany while adapting our global approach to the needs of our US team.

This is a hands-on builder role for someone who enjoys creating structure, solving problems, and shaping culture in a fast-growing environment.

High Performance Build a scalable US HR and hiring foundation to support Blackwave's rapid growth.

Togetherness Connect the US team with our German People organization and bring our global People strategy to life locally.

Candor Establish compliant, reliable HR, payroll, and employee processes from day one.

Playfulness Help create a safe, engaging workplace where people enjoy showing up and doing their best work.

Accountability Build the systems and processes needed to scale our US organization effectively.

• Own day-to-day HR operations for our US organization

• Build and maintain scalable HR processes, policies, and documentation

• Ensure compliance with applicable US and Texas employment laws

• Manage and continuously improve our employee handbook, benefits, time-off policies, and other people programs

• Partner with our German People team to ensure consistency between global and US practices

• Build trusted relationships with employees and leaders across the organization

• Serve as a go-to partner for employee questions, feedback, and concerns

• Support leaders with people-related decisions and challenges

• Balance employee needs with the realities of a fast-growing business

• Develop thoughtful, practical solutions that help our people and business succeed

• Own US payroll operations through Gusto

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing

• Support compliance with applicable payroll and tax requirements

• Manage and continuously improve US benefits offerings, including health insurance, 401(k), and time-off policies

• Partner with external providers and advisors where appropriate

• Own and improve the full-cycle recruiting process for the US organization

• Manage and maintain our Applicant Tracking System

• Partner with hiring managers to define hiring needs and build effective recruiting processes

• Ensure a consistent and positive candidate experience

• Build scalable recruiting processes that support Blackwave's rapid growth

• Establish foundational Health & Safety practices for our Texas operation

• Identify applicable OSHA requirements and coordinate implementation

• Support risk assessments and development of workplace policies

• Help create an office and workplace experience where employees want to be

• Contribute to initiatives that strengthen connection, collaboration, and Blackwave culture

• Build HR processes and documentation from the ground up

• Configure and continuously improve our HR systems

• Create clear, accessible documentation for…