People Operations Generalist

People Operations GeneralistAbout Zap EnergyZap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission and hybrid applications. Built on an integrated platform of high-energy-density physics and pulsed power, liquid metals and advanced materials, and compact, modular systems, Zap is building the foundational technologies needed to deploy the energy sources of the future.About the OpportunityPeople are the engine of everything we build. As we scale toward commercial fusion, we need an experienced People Operations professional who can help us build and sustain the kind of organization that earns that ambition.As our People Operations Generalist, you'll be the connective tissue of our people function — owning a broad portfolio of HR responsibilities and partnering closely with leadership and employees across the company. You bring the depth to handle complex employee relations matters, the systems thinking to streamline our HR processes, and the people skills to be a trusted resource for everyone from PhD researchers to operations staff.This is a high-ownership, high-visibility role in a company that's scaling meaningfully. You'll have real impact on our culture, our operations, and our team's day-to-day experience.What You'll DoEmployee Relations & SupportServe as a primary point of contact for employee questions, concerns, and workplace issuesInvestigate and resolve employee relations matters with fairness, consistency, and discretionPartner with managers on performance management, corrective action, and difficult conversationsFoster a culture of psychological safety, inclusion, and accountabilityHR Operations & ComplianceMaintain and administer core HR systems (HRIS, ATS, benefits platforms) and ensure data integrityOwn HR compliance across federal, Washington state, and local employment laws — including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, EEO, and I-9Manage the full employee lifecycle: onboarding, transfers, leave administration, and offboardingMaintain and update HR policies, the employee handbook, and standard operating proceduresTalent & Recruiting SupportPartner with hiring managers on full-cycle recruiting for select roles, with a focus on technical and operations positionsSupport workforce planning initiatives and headcount trackingHelp build and refine our employer brand and candidate experienceTotal Rewards & BenefitsAdminister and communicate benefits programs; serve as employee liaison for questions and escalationsSupport annual compensation reviews, benchmarking analyses, and equity administrationPartner with Finance on payroll accuracy and reportingLearning, Development & EngagementDevelop and deliver people manager training and onboarding programsSupport engagement surveys, help synthesize results, and drive action planningChampion initiatives that strengthen team culture and cohesion as we scaleStrategic People InitiativesIdentify operational gaps and proactively propose improvements to people processes and programsSupport organizational design conversations, headcount planning, and team structure changesContribute to DEI strategy, reporting, and program developmentWhat We're Looking ForRequired8+ years of progressive HR or People Operations experience, ideally including time in a fast-scaling tech, deep tech, or engineering-driven environmentDemonstrated breadth across the HR function: employee relations, compliance, benefits, recruiting, and HR systemsStrong working knowledge of Washington state employment law and federal HR compliance requirementsExperience managing HR operations independently, with minimal oversightExcellent judgment in ambiguous or sensitive situations, and a high bar for confidentiality and integrityStrong written and verbal communication skills — you can translate complex HR concepts for non-HR audiencesProficiency with modern HRIS platforms (Workday, BambooHR, Rippling, or similar) and Google Workspace or Microsoft 365PreferredExperience supporting a technical workforce...