Payroll & People Ops Coordinator

Company Overview At Skild AI, we are building the world's first general purpose robotic intelligence that is robust and adapts to unseen scenarios without failing. We believe massive scale through data-driven machine learning is the key to unlocking these capabilities for the widespread deployment of robots within society. Our team consists of individuals with varying levels of experience and backgrounds, from new graduates to domain experts. Relevant industry experience is important, but ultimately less so than your demonstrated abilities and attitude. We are looking for passionate individuals who are eager to explore uncharted waters and contribute to our innovative projects. Position Overview We are looking for a Payroll & People Ops Coordinator to own day-to-day payroll processing and people operations as Skild AI scales across multiple entities. As the dedicated owner of payroll cycles, benefits administration, and HRIS onboarding, you will make sure every employee is paid accurately and on time and has a smooth, well-supported benefits experience. This role reports to the Accounting Lead and partners closely with Accounting, Recruiting, People/HR leadership, and our external payroll, benefits, and insurance partners. Responsibilities

Process payroll on a biweekly/semi-monthly cycle across all entities, including corrections and off-cycle runs. Process termination pay in compliance with state final-pay requirements. Calculate and process monthly bonus payments. Manage payroll tax filings and respond to state tax notices. Own new-hire onboarding in the HRIS, ensuring accurate employee records from day one. Administer employee benefits, including enrollment, eligibility, carrier billing, and renewals. Lead annual open enrollment and serve as the first point of contact for employee benefits questions. Track and respond to employment-compliance items such as state registrations, notices, and filings. Support workers' compensation audits. Partner with Accounting & Finance on subsidiary-level payroll and benefits needs. Identify and implement process improvements and automation across payroll and benefits workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

3+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience, including corrections, terminations, and bonus/off-cycle payments. Experience administering employee benefits and working in a modern HRIS (e.g., Rippling, Gusto, ADP, or Workday). Working knowledge of multi-state payroll tax requirements and experience resolving state tax notices. High attention to detail and discretion when handling confidential compensation and personal data. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage recurring deadlines independently. Clear, professional communication with employees on sensitive topics such as pay, benefits, and leave. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC). Experience at a startup or fast-growing company, ideally across multiple entities or subsidiaries. Experience supporting an HRIS implementation or system migration. Familiarity with workers' compensation audits, state compliance filings, or equity administration basics.

Location This is an on-site role based in San Mateo, CA. Relocation assistance is not available for this position, so we're prioritizing candidates who are local to the Bay Area. Base Salary Range $150,000 — $250,000 USD