HR Manager

HR Manager

Full-time • On-site

ABOUT LUNA & THIS ROLE

Luna Innovations is a global leader in fiber optic test and measurement and distributed sensing, trusted by aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, research institutions, and commercial operators worldwide. We are a team of innovators who engineer, manufacture, and relentlessly pursue quality, driven by a shared commitment to exceeding our customers' expectations.

Our Chino, CA location develops and manufactures precision optical polarization components, modules, and test equipment critical to optical communications, silicon photonics testing, and fiber optic sensing applications worldwide.

Our Chino team is talented, dedicated, and growing, and we're at a pivotal moment culturally. We need an HR professional who brings not just operational competence, but genuine people instincts: someone who can earn trust across a diverse, multicultural workforce, champion a culture of transparency and accountability, and serve as a steady, credible resource for both employees and managers.

We are seeking an HR Manager who will serve as the primary HR presence and a key contributor to building a healthy, high-performing team in a dynamic, multicultural manufacturing and engineering environment. This role reports directly to the Director of HR and is an ideal first step into HR management for a high-performing generalist ready for site ownership, someone energized by building culture, solving real problems, and being the person employees and managers trust.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Employee Relations & Culture

• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for the Chino site, building trusted relationships with employees and managers across a diverse, multicultural workforce
• Champion a positive, high-performance culture by proactively identifying engagement opportunities, addressing concerns early, and modeling inclusive, respectful workplace practices
• Support managers in navigating employee relations matters including performance management, conflict resolution, corrective action, and terminations
• Conduct new hire orientations and exit interviews; use insights to inform retention and engagement strategies
• Manage leave of absence cases for assigned locations, including applicable Federal and California State leave laws (FMLA, CFRA, SDI, PFL, etc.)

Recruiting & Onboarding

• Manage full-cycle recruiting for assigned roles - sourcing, screening, scheduling, interviewing, offer preparation, background checks, and onboarding
• Partner with hiring managers on job descriptions, salary benchmarking, and interview best practices
• Lead new hire onboarding to ensure a consistent, welcoming experience that sets employees up for success from day one

HR Operations & Compliance

• Support payroll processing and timesheet administration in coordination with the HR Operations Manager; serve as backup for payroll processing as needed
• Administer day-to-day benefits programs (health, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, 401(k), disability, COBRA) and serve as the primary contact for employee benefit inquiries for employees at assigned locations
• Maintain accurate employee records in ADP Workforce Now (HRIS), including personnel files, I-9s, and E-Verify compliance
• Ensure compliance with California and Federal employment law, including labor law postings, wage orders, and policy updates driven by legislative changes
• Coordinate and deliver compliance training programs; schedule and administer training via ADP LMS
• Support EEO data collection and AAP compliance efforts

Training, Development & Special Projects

• Identify training and development needs at the site level; coordinate and deliver HR-related training to individuals and groups
• Support HR special projects, performance management cycles, and other initiatives as directed by the Director of HR
• Partner with the broader HR team to share best practices and drive consistency across Luna's US locations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years of HR generalist experience, ideally in a manufacturing or technical environment
• Demonstrated experience with employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, and benefits administration
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law, including leave laws, wage and hour requirements, and EEO compliance
• Proficiency with HRIS systems; ADP Workforce Now experience strongly preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and build trust across a diverse, multilingual workforce
• Ability to operate autonomously, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment
• Culturally agile, experience working in or supporting a diverse workforce with varying cultural backgrounds and communication styles

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent) preferred
• Experience supporting a multicultural workforce with a focus on cultural inclusion and team effectiveness
• Bilingual in English and Mandarin or Cantonese (a meaningful plus, not required)
• Familiarity with payroll processing (ADP or similar)
• Experience with multi-site HR support
• Experience supporting NPI or manufacturing ramp environments

WHY LUNA

Here's what you can expect:

• Competitive compensation & benefits: comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus a company-sponsored 401(k) with employer match
• Direct impact: you'll be the HR presence on the ground your work will directly shape the employee experience
• First manager role: this is an ideal next step for a high-performing HR generalist ready to take on site ownership and put their full skill set to work in a complex, people-first environment
• Collaborative team: you'll be part of a small, close-knit HR team that values expertise, initiative, and getting things done
• Southern California location: Chino, CA offers an affordable cost of living relative to the broader LA metro, with easy access to outdoor recreation, a diverse community, and all that Southern California has to offer

TRAVEL

This role is based on-site in Chino, CA. Travel to our Santa Clara, CA location is expected approximately once per quarter. Additional travel to other Luna locations is anticipated approximately once per year. Overall travel requirement is estimated at 15-20%.

Luna Innovations is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Luna provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic information, or veteran status. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. Luna expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination.