Head of Human Resources and Office Management

based drone and drone parts company focused on the small and First-Person View (FPV) segments of the drone market. Our brands - Rotor Riot, Fat Shark, Rotor Lab and - coming soon - Upgrade Energy - are some of the most respected names in FPV and have helped shape the industry through e-commerce, product development, and a deep connection with the pilot community. We're expanding into enterprise and defense - bringing our obsessive attention to performance, design, and U.based manufacturing into high-stakes environments like search and rescue and military innovation.

With several of our products already approved by the Defense Innovation Unit, we're solving procurement issues for customers who demand speed, agility, and compliance. If you love working at the intersection of community, content, and cutting-edge technology, you'll feel right at home here. We are seeking an experienced HR Manager who understands the unique challenges that come with an acquisition and can help successfully guide the organization through the transition and integration.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable navigating change, aligning policies and processes, supporting employees and leaders through the transition, and helping build a strong, consistent culture as Upgrade Energy becomes part of Unusual Machines. You in This Role
You are a hands-on HR leader who thrives in fast-paced, growing organizations. You understand that great workplaces don't happen by accident—they are built through strong employee support, operational excellence, compliance, and a commitment to creating an environment where people can do their best work.

At Upgrade Energy, you will serve as the primary HR and Facilities leader for our California operation. You'll help build and scale our people practices while also ensuring our facility remains safe, organized, functional, and employee-focused. One day, you may be onboarding new employees, coaching managers through employee relations situations, and ensuring compliance with California employment laws.

The next, you may be coordinating facility maintenance, working with vendors, resolving workplace issues, planning employee events, or supporting recruiting efforts for production and operational teams. You will serve as a trusted resource for employees and leaders while helping ensure both our people and our workplace are positioned for success.

Human Resources
Serve as the primary HR resource for employees and leaders at the California facility
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, with a strong focus on California labor law requirements
Lead employee relations activities, including coaching managers, conducting investigations, resolving workplace concerns, and supporting performance management efforts
Manage onboarding, orientation, and new hire integration programs
Partner with hiring managers to recruit, interview, and hire production, warehouse, and operational employees
Support employee engagement, retention, and culture-building initiatives
Assist with policy implementation, employee communications, and HR program administration
Maintain employee records and ensure HR documentation is complete and compliant
Support organizational growth and workforce planning initiatives
Partner with corporate HR leadership to implement company-wide programs and processes
Build and lead future HR team members as the organization continues to grow
5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably in manufacturing, operations, distribution, or other fast-paced environments
~ Strong working knowledge of California employment laws and HR compliance requirements
~ Experience handling employee relations matters, investigations, performance management, and conflict resolution
~ Recruiting experience, particularly for hourly production, warehouse, manufacturing, or operational positions
~ Experience supporting onboarding and employee engagement initiatives
~ Strong organizational and project management skills
~ Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
~ Experience supporting facility operations, vendor management, workplace services, or office management is strongly preferred
~ Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred
~ The systems, processes, and culture you help build will support the company's next stage of growth.

This is more than a traditional HR role. You'll help shape the future of the California operation, establish scalable people practices, and build a local HR presence that grows alongside the business. You'll work closely with site leadership and corporate leadership teams, providing guidance on people, compliance, recruiting, culture, and workplace operations.

Equity
~ Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
~Paid Holidays
~ We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

Candidates must be a US Citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for employment