People Operations Generalist

About the role

• Forterra is scaling fast, and our People Ops team is building the infrastructure that enables that growth. We’re looking for a highly capable, high-trust operator who can run at our speed and thrive in ambiguity. This role will report to the Director of People Operations and serve as a force-multiplier - owning core HR administrative processes, solving operational pain points through automation, and helping to shape the employee experience as we grow.
• This is not a role for someone who needs rigid structure or slow, predictable workflows. You will have autonomy, responsibility, and access to sensitive information - so integrity, discretion, and strong judgement are essential. If you’re energized by mission-driven work, love moving quickly, and take pride in being the person who “just gets it done,” you’ll thrive here.

What you'll do

• Serve as the first point of contact for general People Ops inquiries across the organization, providing timely guidance, escalating when appropriate, and ensuring employees feel supported.
• Own and execute system changes in our HRIS (Rippling), including compensation updates, leveling and title corrections, manager/department changes, and other core employee data updates.
• Maintain and iterate job descriptions across the organization, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with evolving business needs.
• Identify manual, repetitive People Ops processes and build automated solutions that reduce administrative burden and increase operational speed.
• Support employee development programs, including goal cycles, competency frameworks, and internal growth pathways.
• Administer learning and development initiatives, including scheduling, content coordination, and tracking outcomes.
• Create, manage, and continuously refine People Ops process documentation (SOPs, workflows, checklists, etc.).
• Review and update employee handbook content; proactively flag areas needing policy development or clarification.
• Provide support on special projects across the People team, ranging from audits, review cycles, culture initiatives, compliance tasks, and cross-functional operational efforts.
• Serve as a trusted partner who protects confidentiality, exercises high judgment, and flags emerging issues early.

Minimum Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a People Operations, HR coordination, business operations, or high-trust administrative role supporting a fast-moving organization (startup, defense tech, high-growth tech, operations, or similar environment).
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with absolute discretion and integrity.
• Proven success operating in ambiguity with limited oversight; comfortable taking a goal and running toward solutions independently.
• Strong systems fluency and ability to quickly learn new tools; experience with HRIS platforms preferred (Rippling is a plus).
• Experience creating documentation, managing workflows, or supporting process improvements.
• High attention to detail, strong follow-through, and the ability to juggle multiple competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills - clear, concise, and able to work with stakeholders across levels and functions.
• Ability to work onsite in either Clarksburg, MD or Arlington, VA with occasional travel between the two.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in startups, defense technology, robotics, aerospace, or similarly fast-paced, mission-driven environments.
• Prior experience implementing automation or workflow tools.
• Background supporting learning & development, employee programs, or HR project management.
• Experience refining policies, handbooks, or compliance-adjacent documentation.
• Demonstrated track record of improving organizational processes or building operational infrastructure.
• Strong interest in autonomy, national security, robotics, or Forterra’s mission.

US Salary Range
 $115,000—$150,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice.