Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the aerospace and defense industry, seeking a Principal Compensation Analyst to manage and evolve the company's compensation programs. The role involves guiding the design and execution of compensation strategies that support a global organization, partnering with senior leadership and various departments to ensure competitive and compliant compensation practices.
Responsibilities
- Implement Karman’s global compensation philosophy and standards across all regions and functions
- Serve as the primary advisor on compensation matters to senior leaders, VPs, and HR Business Partners
- Create and ensure alignment with Karman’s global frameworks and Total Rewards philosophy, including incentives, salary structures, equity, and performance-based rewards
- Support design, modeling, and administration of executive compensation programs, including base salary, target bonus, long-term incentives (RSUs, PSUs), and special awards
- Manage peer benchmarking, market analysis, long-term incentive plan (LTIP) calibration, and competitive positioning for the executive team
- Support preparation of Compensation Committee materials, including executive pay summaries, benchmarking, bonus plan design, LTIP updates, PSU/metric alignment, and annual compensation review cycles
- Partner with Legal and Finance to ensure accurate reporting for proxy filings, including Section 16, executive compensation tables, pay-versus-performance disclosures, and equity-related requirements
- Assist in drafting and reviewing executive equity agreements, LTIP documentation, and PSU award terms in partnership with Legal
- Create, manage, and maintain the company’s global job architecture, leveling structures, job evaluations, and compensation band methodologies
- Lead participation in market surveys and conduct market-pricing analysis across both broad-based and executive roles
- Ensure data-driven, equitable, and compliant salary structures informed by market trends and regulatory requirements
- Lead the design, implementation, and governance of Karman’s incentive programs, including annual bonus (STIP), long-term incentive plans (LTIP), and other variable pay frameworks
- Support development and refinement of performance metrics, target ranges, calibration models, and payout calculations using inputs from business, Finance, and Compensation Committee guidance
- Administer all equity plans, in partnership with HR Operations, Legal, Finance, and external equity administrators
- Ensure accurate communication and modeling for new awards, off-cycle grants, and adjustments
- Lead annual merit, bonus, and incentive cycles, including planning, communication, calibration, reporting, and approval workflows
- Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate execution of compensation-related payouts
- Draft and validate compensation communications, job descriptions, and templates for leaders and employees
- Provide subject matter expertise on job classification, salary recommendations, offer development, and pay-equity considerations
- Partner with HRBPs and business leaders on compensation decisions for hiring, promotions, transfers, and internal equity assessments
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and SEC regulations, including reporting requirements, pay-transparency laws, and proxy obligations for public companies
- Support audit readiness and data validation for executive compensation and equity plans
Skills
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in compensation with exposure to both broad-based and executive pay programs
- Experience working with equity plans, LTIPs, PSUs, and plan documentation in partnership with Legal and Finance
- Knowledge of public company reporting requirements, including proxy-related disclosures
- Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field
- Experience supporting Compensation Committees or executive-level governance
- Experience working in aerospace, defense, industrial, or other complex, multi-site environments
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Basic and supplemental life insurance
- Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
Company Overview