Senior HR Operations Specialist (Deployment Support)

Position Summary

At Metrea, people are the power behind mission success. We don't just hire world-class Aviators, Flight Operations leaders, and technical specialists-we create an environment where they can thrive, grow, and deliver critical effects worldwide.

Our Air Domain covers everything from Airborne ISR and Aerial Firefighting to Advanced Training, and Aircraft Engineering-operating across FAA, EASA, and CASA standards.

Now we're expanding fast-and we're looking for an Aviation focused People Business Partner in Tampa. This is your chance to shape something new. You'll partner directly with aviation leaders, build workforce strategies, design organizations, and develop talent plans that keep pace with a complex, safety-critical, multinational environment. You'll also craft People policies, tackle fresh challenges, and build scalable solutions as we grow.

This isn't a typical HR role-it's a chance to design, influence, and partner at the heart of a mission that impacts global security. If you're excited by growth, thrive on trust and impact, and love unlocking potential in others, we want to hear from you. This role is critical to ensuring workforce stability, regulatory compliance, and teammate well-being within mission-critical rotational programs. You will directly support retention, operational continuity, and readiness across high-demand technical and cleared roles. Success means balancing strategy and action: designing scalable people practices, advising on complex employee matters, and leaning into the tough problems with curiosity and pragmatism.
What You'll Do

• Lead People Team coordination for rotational and deployed personnel across CONUS and OCONUS assignments
• Manage pre-deployment HR readiness processes, including documentation, benefits review, compensation alignment, compliance verification, and security clearance coordination
• Ensure compliance with federal contractor requirements (ITAR, DFARS, EEOC, OFCCP), export controls, and labor regulations related to domestic and international assignments
• Support reintegration processes including payroll reconciliation, benefits transitions, PTO alignment, and return-to-home-site onboarding
• Serve as primary HR contact for deployers and rotational teammates
• Provide proactive support for benefits, leave administration (FMLA, military leave, ADA accommodations), hardship cases, and family-related matters
• Develop and maintain structured communication cadence with deployed employees
• Support crisis response coordination for deployed personnel when needed
• Collaborate with Total Rewards to ensure proper administration of deployment premiums, hazard pay (if applicable), per diem, differentials, and tax considerations while providing deployers with clear explanations of compensation structures and benefits coverage while deployed
• Partner with Legal and Security teams to mitigate risk in sensitive or export-controlled environments
• Provide administrative support for investigations and employee relations matters involving deployed or rotational staff
• Standardize pre-deployment checklists, reintegration protocols, and communication workflows

What You Bring

• A strong background in aviation and/or defense (experience in one essential, both highly desirable)
• Flexibility and resilience to thrive in a fast-moving, safety-critical environment
• Experience shaping and delivering people initiatives across the full employee lifecycle-workforce planning, talent, engagement, and employee relations
• Experience supporting field-based, rotational, or multi-state workforce populations
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment law, including FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and wage and hour regulations
• Experience in federal contracting environment preferred
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum of 5 years of experience resolving complex employee relations issues as a HR Manager or HR Operations Specialist
• Working knowledge of ITAR/DFARS compliance considerations, experience supporting security-cleared personnel and supporting OCONUS or international assignments
• Preferred Education, Experience and Certificates
  • Experience: Aerospace/aviation or defence industry
  • Certificates and Licenses: Professional in Human Resources or SHRM-CP
  • Computer Skills: Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite Programs and HRIS

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan options
• HSA/FSA accounts
• Dental and vision coverage
• 6% employer 401(k) match
• Fully paid parental leave for all new parents
• Generous PTO
• Life and disability insurance
• Long-term and Short-term disability coverage
• AD&D Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsided gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on-call and available, as business needs require.
Work Environment

This job operates in an office setting.
Travel

Less than 10%

Base Pay Range

The compensation range shown below is a good faith estimate and reflects the expected base pay for this position upon hire. This is just one component of Metrea's overall approach to total rewards and final compensation decisions, including the ultimate salary or hourly rate agreed upon, may vary depending on factors such as job location, job-specific knowledge, skills, experience, and the overall negotiated compensation package. Eligible full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and long-term success.

Pay Range

$85,000-$100,000 USD