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Canopy Aerospace & Defense

Develops thermal protection systems for spacecraft

Human Resources Manager

Full-Time
$110k - $130k/yr+ 401(k) company match + Discretionary bonus
Senior
Irvine, CA, USA
In PersonOccasional travel to other company facilities may be required.
People & HRHR Generalist & Employee Relations
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • 5–8+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources and workplace operations, ideally within aerospace, defense, engineering, or high-growth technical environments.
  • A solid foundation in core Human Resources practices and strong command of California employment and labor compliance standards.
  • Hands-on expertise administering comprehensive employee benefits programs, 401(k) retirement plans, leaves of absence including FMLA, CFRA, and PDL, and formal employment verifications.
  • A proven track record of independently leading cross-functional projects and people initiatives from concept through successful execution.
  • Experience sourcing, onboarding, and overseeing external service providers and facility vendors.
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook, alongside modern HRIS and expense management platforms.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for interfacing with employees, executive leadership, and external partners.
  • Professional integrity and confidentiality when handling sensitive corporate, employee, and business matters.
  • Professional working proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
  • Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations.
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation.
  • Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use.
  • Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email.
  • Ability to use a computer to complete assignments.
  • Willingness to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines.
  • Willingness to travel to other company sites as needed.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations under export control requirements.
Responsibilities
  • Oversee end-to-end employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, orientation, retention, and offboarding, while serving as the primary point of contact for benefits, leave administration, and HR policy inquiries.
  • Partner with leadership to address employee relations concerns, resolve conflicts, and guide supervisors on performance management, coaching, and progressive discipline.
  • Lead and execute people and workplace initiatives from scoping through implementation, ensuring milestones are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational goals.
  • Administer employee total rewards and lifecycle requests, including health and welfare benefits, 401(k) plans, statutory and company leaves of absence, and employment verifications.
  • Oversee daily office operations and maintain a professional, secure, and fully equipped environment.
  • Manage visitor protocols and serve as the primary liaison for property management and facilities vendors.
  • Establish and manage centralized tracking systems for office supplies, equipment, and facility needs; forecast demand and oversee the procurement lifecycle.
  • Maintain compliance with federal, California state, and local employment laws.
  • Partner with the Health and Safety team to maintain workplace safety, first-aid readiness, and emergency action plans.
  • Maintain accurate employee records in the HRIS and assist in authoring and refining HR standard operating procedures to ensure data integrity and process consistency.
  • Provide administrative coordination for Executive Leadership, including event planning, meeting logistics, and expense reporting.
  • Perform related duties, strategic projects, and operational initiatives assigned by leadership to support company growth.
Desired Qualifications
  • Prior Human Resources experience within aerospace, defense, or high-mix/high-volume manufacturing settings.
  • Direct administration experience with UKG Ready.
  • Prior experience supporting C-suite or vice president-level executives.
  • Relevant Human Resources certification such as SHRM-CP, PHR, or PHR-CA.

About the company

C

Canopy Aerospace & Defense

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Canopy Aerospace & Defense designs, prototypes, and manufactures thermal protection systems for space and hypersonic vehicles. Their heat shields and insulation protect spacecraft from extreme temperatures during flight, with materials tested in real flight conditions to ensure reliability. The company leverages NASA-backed research, real-flight testing, and a focus on reuse and cost efficiency to stand out in a growing NewSpace market. Its goal is to meet rising demand from commercial and government space programs by delivering dependable thermal protection that improves safety and mission economics.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$6.6M

Headquarters

Denver, Colorado

Founded

2021

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 2026 Aviotec expands Canopy into satellite supply chains across European programs.
  • Late-2026 Smart TPS flight testing creates a near-term commercialization catalyst.
  • 2024-2026 Air Force and NASA awards validate Canopy's thermal protection technology and customer demand.

What critics are saying

  • Canopy still depends on government-sponsored R&D; production revenue trails validation milestones through late 2026.
  • Integrating Aviotec, Tods, and U.S. plants risks execution slippage across Europe and America.
  • Lockheed, Northrop, RTX, and Leidos dominate hypersonics; Canopy loses if qualification stalls.

What makes Canopy Aerospace & Defense unique

  • Canopy pairs transpiration-cooled TPS with robotics, 3D ceramics, and embedded sensor integration.
  • September 1, 2026 Aviotec acquisition adds European MLI blankets and harnesses capabilities.
  • April 2026 AS9100 QMS readiness supports high-temperature materials manufacturing and defense qualification.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Retirement plan participation (eligibility required)
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid holidays
  • Discretionary bonuses

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-6%

1 year growth

-12%

2 year growth

0%
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Sep 2nd, 2026
Willkie advises Canopy Aerospace & Defense on acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. in italy.

Willkie advises Canopy Aerospace & Defense on acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. in italy. News. September 2, 2026 Willkie represented Canopy Aerospace & Defense, a portfolio company of Trive Capital, in its acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l., an Italian-based supplier of multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets and electrical harnesses for satellites and spacecraft. Aviotec provides in-house design, analysis, manufacturing, and integration capabilities for institutional and commercial space programs across Europe. Willkie previously advised Canopy Aerospace & Defense on its acquisitions of Hera Technologies, M.S.M. Industries, Canopy Aerospace, and Tods Defence. Trive Capital is a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, with more than $8 billion of regulatory assets under management. The Willkie team was led by partner Chase Proctor and associate Bilal Sheriff and included partner Alaric Green.

PR Newswire
Sep 1st, 2026
TRIVE CAPITAL'S CANOPY AEROSPACE & DEFENSE ACQUIRES AVIOTEC, EXTENDING VALUE CREATION ACROSS THE SATELLITE SUPPLY CHAIN

/PRNewswire/ -- Canopy Aerospace & Defense ("Canopy A&D"), a portfolio company of Trive Capital, today announced the acquisition of Aviotec S.r.l. ("Aviotec"),...

Citybiz
Nov 4th, 2025
Canopy Aerospace & Defense Acquires Tods Technology

Canopy Aerospace & Defense, a portfolio company of Trive Capital, is excited to announce the acquisition of Tods Technology Ltd.,... Read More

PR Newswire
Nov 4th, 2025
Canopy Aerospace & Defense Acquires Tods Technology, Expanding Global Footprint in Advanced Composites and Acoustic Materials in the Maritime Domain

Canopy Aerospace & Defense acquires Tods Technology, expanding global footprint in advanced composites and acoustic materials in the maritime domain. News provided by. DALLAS and PORTLAND, Dorset, United Kingdom, Nov. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Canopy Aerospace & Defense ("Canopy A&D"), a portfolio company of Trive Capital, is excited to announce the acquisition of Tods Technology Ltd. ("Tods"), a UK-based designer and manufacturer of advanced composite structures and acoustic materials serving the maritime defense industrial base. The addition of Tods represents a significant expansion of Canopy A&D's global footprint and technical capabilities. Tods brings decades of proven expertise in structural composites, sonar domes, acoustic enclosures, and signature-management materials for both surface and subsurface vessels. Dr. Marco Villa, Canopy A&D CEO commented: "Tods' reputation and commitment to their customers' missions are world-class and deeply aligned with our values. Their longstanding partnerships with the Royal Navy and over 25 Navies worldwide expand Canopy A&D's global presence, supporting critical allied defense programs and strengthening supply-chain resilience between the United States and the United Kingdom. We are committed to building on their legacy by investing in infrastructure, equipment, and people to create an immediate synergy we cannot wait to exploit." The acquisition enhances Canopy A&D's ability to deliver advanced materials and engineered solutions across the full lifecycle of maritime defense programs, from design and development through qualification, production, and sustainment. By integrating Tods' composite and acoustic expertise with Canopy A&D's broader materials and manufacturing capabilities, the company strengthens its position as a leading partner to the global maritime defense industrial base - accelerating shipbuilding schedules and advancing mission-critical platform performance. About Tods Technology Tods Technology, based in Portland, Dorset, UK, is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced composite structures and acoustic materials for naval and aerospace applications. The company's capabilities include the design, testing, and production of sonar domes, acoustic windows, and structural composites for submarine and surface-ship platforms, supported by global through-life services including in-yard installation, maintenance, and repair. About Canopy Aerospace & Defense Canopy Aerospace & Defense manufactures and delivers highly specialized materials with exceptional insulative, absorptive, and signal reducing characteristics to the space and defense markets. The Company assists OEMs from the initial design phase with R&D material and system engineering services to turnkey manufacturing through refurbishment services on reusable platforms. With deep domain expertise and responsive manufacturing, Canopy A&D acts as a seamless "Built-In" extension of its partners, filling critical gaps across long manufacturing chains. The company operates facilities in Los Angeles, Denver, Cape Canaveral, and the United Kingdom. About Trive Capital Trive Capital is a Dallas, Texas based private equity firm with more than $8 billion of regulatory assets under management. Trive focuses on investing equity and debt in what it sees as strategically viable middle-market companies with the potential for transformational upside through operational improvement. SOURCE Canopy A&D

Space.com
May 11th, 2025
How do you keep reusable spacecraft cool during reentry? Make them 'sweat'

A research team from Texas A&M University has partnered with Canopy Aerospace to develop and test a 3D-printed material that releases or "sweats" a coolant gas to protect spacecraft from the intense heat encountered when travelling back to Earth at high speeds.