Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.

Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands-on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.

That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real-world results.

We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.

Your Mission:

The People Business Partner I (PBP I) supports manufacturing and operations teams by assisting with people processes, onboarding, HR coordination, HR systems integrity, leave administration support, and day-to-day team member support. Reporting to the Director of People Operations, this role helps ensure consistent application of policies and procedures, supports compliance activities, assists in team member relations matters, and contributes to accurate people data in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Explore the Depth of the Role:

• Support manufacturing and operations leadership by helping align people processes with day-to-day workforce needs
• Assist in implementing and maintaining people policies, procedures, and employment practices
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and assist with audits and regulatory documentation
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and support internal and external audits
• Support performance management processes, including coaching leaders on feedback, documentation, and corrective action
• Support compensation programs, merit cycles, job evaluations, and incentive plans in partnership with operational leaders, Finance and the People Team
• Assist with employee relations matters, investigations, and conflict resolution with fairness, consistency, and thorough documentation
• Maintain data integrity across HRIS and ERP systems and support reporting, audits, running routine reports, and system enhancements
• Support all leave administration (FMLA, ADA, military leave, etc.) and workers compensation
• Support employee engagement initiatives, culture improvement, and retention efforts
• Analyze and support people metrics such as turnover, absenteeism, performance, and engagement to drive continuous improvement
• Support goals related to turnover, absenteeism, onboarding outcomes, and training completion
• Own the onboarding process from start to finish, including preparing all pre-hire needs, conducting new hire orientation, and ensuring a smooth transition for new team members.
• Provide occasional backup support to other regional facilities as needed
• Other related duties as required

Mission Readiness:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• 2+ years of HR or People Operations experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP)
• Experience supporting audits and compliance reviews
• Experience working with people data or HR systems
• Experience partnering closely with plant and operations leadership
• Experience in manufacturing or operations environments
• Experience supporting multi-site, hourly and salaried workforces
• Working knowledge of employment law, compliance, and employee relations
• Experience working with HRIS and ERP systems
• Familiarity with job classification and compliance frameworks, including those used to determine employment categories, exemption status, and regulatory reporting
• Willingness to travel occasionally between sites in the region

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel between all regional locations required

Physical Requirements:

• May require standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times (e.g., files, office supplies, etc)
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with production team members, leadership, and visitors, both verbally and in writing
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, or reach within the office setting

Become a part of our Builders and you too can...

• Uphold Safety and Quality Standards
• Embody Team Spirit
• Relentless Customer Focus
• Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
• Execute with Excellence and Velocity

What Keel will build for you:

• Comprehensive Benefit Package
• Competitive Pay
• 401(k) Match
• HSA/FSA
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
• Shift Differentials
• Overtime Potential
• Paid on the Job Training
• Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
• Committed to Individual Career Growth
• We Do Fun Things, Plus More! 

Need Assistance?

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email talent@keelusa.com with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What we build, builds us.