HR / People Lead

Overview Inferact's mission is to grow vLLM as the world's AI inference engine and accelerate AI progress by making inference cheaper and faster. Founded by the creators and core maintainers of vLLM, we sit at the intersection of models and hardware, a position that took years to build. About the Role We are looking for an experienced, high-ownership HR / People Lead to own, design, and scale our People Operations and HR infrastructure as we expand. In this key role, you will bridge the critical handoff from talent acquisition to employee onboarding and serve as the core operational owner for the entire employee lifecycle. You will work directly with leadership, finance, and engineering teams to manage HR operations end-to-end—spanning onboarding workflows, employee relations, payroll, benefits, compliance, and immigration/visa filings. The ideal candidate brings a blend of strategic HR experience from scaling tech companies and the scrappy, hands-on execution needed in an early-stage startup environment. Skills and Qualifications Minimum qualifications: - Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience. - 4+ years of experience as an HR Business Partner, People Specialist, or People Operations lead in fast-paced tech environments. - Proven hands-on experience managing core HR infrastructure: onboarding, payroll, benefits, employee relations, and compliance. - Direct experience utilizing modern startup tools and platforms, including PEO, payroll, benefits, ATS, etc. - Experience managing immigration and visa workflows in coordination with external legal counsel. - Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building trust across founders, employees, and external vendors. Preferred qualifications: - Experience spanning both high-growth startups and established tech companies. - Demonstrated ability to operate as a sole IC or strategic lead in a fast-moving 0-to-1 environment. - Familiarity with cross-border HR logistics, international PEO structures, or working with APAC HR partners. Logistics - Location: San Francisco, CA (On-site / Hybrid). - Compensation: $180,000 – $250,000 base salary based on experience and background, plus meaningful startup equity. - Benefits: Generous health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, alongside a 401(k) company match.