People Operations Specialist Jobs in California

About Hark

Hark is an artificial intelligence company building advanced, personalized intelligence. One that is proactive, multimodal, and capable of interacting with the world through speech, text, vision, and persistent memory.

We're pairing that intelligence with next-generation hardware to create a universal interface between humans and machines. While today's AI largely operates through chat boxes and decade-old devices, Hark is focused on what comes next: agentic systems that interact naturally with people and the real world.

To get there, we're developing multimodal models and next-generation AI hardware together - designed from the ground up as a single, unified interface for a new era of intelligent systems.

About the Role

As we scale our operations, we're looking for a Senior People Operations Specialist to run the day to day HR engine for our workforce including onboarding, compliance, timekeeping, and employee support while helping build and improve the systems behind it. This is a hands-on, high volume role for someone who takes pride in getting the details right every time.

Responsibilities

Onboarding & Off-boarding:

• Build and run an end to end onboarding process for new hires: Offer to start handoffs, background check tracking, new hire paperwork, orientation logistics, badges/equipment coordination, and day one readiness
• Own I-9/E-Verify completion, re-verification, and record-keeping, maintaining audit-ready files at all times
• Execute off-boarding, including final pay coordination in line with California timing requirements, system deactivations, and exit documentation

People Support & Administration:

• Maintain accurate, confidential employee records and personnel files across all employees
• Process HRIS transactions (new hires, changes, terminations) with a high bar for data accuracy
• Prepare employment verifications, notices, and required documentation
• Serve as the first point of contact for all HR questions across the company including benefits, pay, PTO, policies, onboarding, and everything in between

Immigration Support:

• Coordinate day-to-day immigration operations in partnership with our outside immigration counsel including document collection, case tracking, and timely responses so filings stay on schedule
• Maintain organized, confidential immigration files and track key dates including visa expirations, extension windows, and work authorization reverifications
• Serve as a helpful, responsive point of contact for employees navigating visa processes, routing legal questions to counsel

Requirements

• 3-5+ years of experience in People Operations, HR administration, or HR coordination, ideally at fast-paced startup or AI/Robotics industry
• Hands-on experience with I-9/E-Verify administration and employee record-keeping
• Working knowledge of timekeeping systems and California wage-and-hour basics
• HRIS experience with strong data-entry accuracy; Justworks & Rippling experience is a plus
• Organized, detail-oriented, and dependable with high-volume work
• Clear, friendly communicator who can support employees at every level
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law, FLSA classifications, and benefits administration frameworks.

Compensation

The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $110,000 - $200,000 annually.

The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.