HR and Payroll Generalist

Summary

GrayMatter Robotics is a well-capitalized Physical AI company headquartered in Los Angeles, building Factory SuperIntelligence (FSI) through systems that learn, adapt, and develop genuine process intelligence across every part they touch. Our robots take on the tedious, hazardous, and ergonomically demanding work that has kept manufacturing dependent on a shrinking skilled workforce, delivering superhuman performance. Robotics has a demo problem. GMR doesn't. Our systems are in active production today, adapting autonomously to real geometries, real materials, and real process variation without reprogramming. We deliver our system through a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model that converts capital expenditure into an operating subscription, making Physical AI accessible to the manufacturers who need it most. We hire people who want to solve hard physical problems at an industrial scale.

Hi there! My name is Braelena (she/her), and I lead the People team at GrayMatter Robotics. I love reading as much as I love investing in people, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome the newest addition to our (small but mighty) team!

When I started in 2023, we had 25 full-time employees. Today, we've more than quadrupled so, as you can imagine, I'm eager to find a teammate who's excited to build from scratch, finds joy in the details, and — above all — shares my obsession with creating a space where people are excited to show up every day.

You'll love this role because...

• There's an opportunity to build, break, and build again in a crazy-fast environment

• You'll have a lot of influence over culture, process and our HR infrastructure

• We are building incredible technology serving an industry that has historically been overlooked by automation...and we're the first to do it

You'll hate this role because...

• There's an opportunity to build, break, and build again in a crazy-fast environment (not a typo)

• A large portion of your role will be putting out fires, fielding questions and always assuming positive intent...especially when it's not easy

• You'll be the sole HR Generalist so you'll have to iterate on the processes as we execute against our goals which will test your grit, determination, and resilience

We know startups aren't for everyone, especially this one where it is an absolute grind and a high standard of excellence. But if you're someone who deeply loves the HR function, has little patience for fixed mindsets, and is excited to get in at the ground level of one of the fastest growing robotics startups, join me on my mission to build spaces where people enjoy showing up every day, where talent thrives and the meaning of "HR" is redefined.

Role & Responsibilities

This role will own and shape the entire employee experience at GrayMatter Robotics, from onboarding to off-boarding and everything in between. This is a tactical and hands-on position ideal for someone excited to build people systems from the ground up while ensuring compliance and driving culture. Aspects of this role include:

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Lead employee engagement efforts, including surveys, recognition, and internal communications.

• Plan company events, offsites, and culture-building initiatives.

• Oversee employee on-boarding, off-boarding and exit processes.

• Partner with cross-functional partners to ensure employees have the required tools, software access and devices for their role.

• Optimize new hire orientation and onboarding, and automate processes where possible.

Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Run payroll end to end each cycle, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across hourly, salaried, and contractor populations.

• Reconcile benefits enrollment and billing against carrier invoices, catching and resolving discrepancies before they compound.

• Administer and track all types of employee leave (e.g., FMLA, parental, PTO, disability), ensuring compliance and clear communication.

HR Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with employment laws across multiple states, with fluency in the distinct rules governing hourly, contractor, and salaried classifications.

• Pull and prepare reports and documentation to support internal and external audits.

• Maintain employee handbook and update HR policies as needed.

• Lead investigations and handle employee relations issues responsibly.

• Manage audit readiness and required documentation.

HR Operations & Systems

• Serve as GMR's UKG power user and other HRIS tools: own system configuration, workflow automation, and reporting.

• Build and maintain UKG email templates (welcome emails, manager reminders, and other lifecycle communications) so the system runs itself.

• Own and maintain our HRIS system; ensure data integrity and analytics.

• Optimize people processes for scale (onboarding, transitions, documentation).

• Deliver HR metrics and insights to support decision-making.

• Use AI and automation tools to streamline reporting, audits, and repetitive HR workflows, freeing up time for higher-judgment work.

• Assist with other HR-related tasks and projects, including but not limited to interview scheduling, hosting candidates onsite, employee events, and other initiatives as needed.

This role is based onsite in our Carson HQ 4 days a week.

Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years of industry experience in HR, people operations, or similar roles.

• 2+ years building company-wide processes from scratch within the same company.

• 2+ years working at a technology startup or technology company.

• Proven knowledge of multi-state employment compliance (especially California) and risk mitigation, including the distinct rules governing hourly, contractor, and salaried employees.

• Power-user level proficiency in UKG or a comparable HRIS (e.g., ADP, Paylocity, Workday), including system configuration, reporting, and email/workflow template management.

• Demonstrated fluency using AI tools (e.g., Claude) to accelerate day-to-day HR work, from reporting to communications.

• Demonstrated ownership of payroll administration and benefits reconciliation.

• Proven track record guiding managers through terminations, layoffs, and other difficult personnel decisions.

• Excellent communication, project management, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

• Proven ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions to HR challenges.

• Must have authorization to work in the United States and maintain ongoing work authorization from time of hire through the duration of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology, Business Administration, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Organizational Development, Human Resources, or a related field.

• Experience in both startup and enterprise environments, ideally having transitioned from enterprise to startups most recently.

• HR certification (e.g., PHR, SHRM-CP).

• Experience using WEX, Ashby, Ethena, ClickUp, and other HR/project management tools.

• Strong expertise in leveraging efficiency and automation tools (e.g., Notion, Scribe, Airtable, Slack integrations, HR automation platforms) to streamline workflows and scale operations.

GrayMatter Robotics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage and embrace applicants of all backgrounds to apply!

GrayMatter Robotics is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. If you believe you require accommodations during the recruiting process, please contact [email protected] to submit your request.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Depending on the position and if listed, compensation may include the base salary range, bonus or commission, and equity. We also provide comprehensive benefits and perks which include but are not limited to medical, dental, vision, unlimited PTO, 401(k) plan + employer match, regular offsite events, a discretionary fund for enhancing productivity and so much more! The range listed on job postings reflect the minimum and maximum new hire salary across levels in Los Angeles, CA.