Job Description

About Us

Orkes is a platform for developers to build durable, distributed event driven applications. Based on the popular open source orchestration engine Conductor, Orkes lets developers focus on faster go to market with applications, scaling them to handle billions of workflows without having to worry about failures, scalability or visibility into the executions.

The Opportunity

We’re hiring our first HR/People leader to build and own the entire function at Orkes.

This is a hands-on, player-coach role—you’ll lead HR, but also execute it day-to-day. There is no existing team or infrastructure—you’ll build it from scratch while supporting a fast-growing, in-office engineering organization.

This role will naturally evolve into a Head of People / Director-level position as the company scales.

What You’ll Own (In Priority Order)

1. HR Operations (Core Foundation)

• Own all day-to-day HR operations: onboarding, offboarding, payroll coordination, employee lifecycle
• Build policies, processes, and internal structure from the ground up
• Support in-office operations (employee experience, coordination, logistics, facilities touchpoints)

2. Recruiting Function Oversight

• Oversee the full recruiting lifecycle (sourcing → scheduling → offers)
• Manage internal or external recruiting resources (agencies, sourcers, etc.)
• Improve hiring quality and efficiency (less reliance on low-quality agency volume)

3. Culture & Employee Experience

• Continuously gather feedback from employees and leadership
• Identify what’s working vs not—and implement improvements quickly
• Help define and reinforce culture through hiring and day-to-day operations

What We’re Looking For

• Experience owning HR in a startup or high-growth environment
• Strong operator mindset—you’re comfortable doing the work, not just delegating
• Experience across HR ops + recruiting + employee experience
• Comfortable working in-office, highly collaborative environment (5 days/week)
• Ability to move fast, handle ambiguity, and manage multiple priorities

What Won’t Work

• Purely strategic HR leaders who rely on large support teams
• Candidates who haven’t been hands-on in recent roles
• Slower-paced, large-company HR profiles without startup exposure

Why This Role is Unique

• Build the entire HR function from scratch
• Direct exposure to leadership and company strategy
• Clear path to Director/Head of People as the company grows
• High ownership across operations, hiring, and culture

More Details

The base salary for this role is between $160-210k. When determining compensation, a number of factors will be considered: skills, experience, job scope, location, and competitive compensation market data.

• Status: Full-Time
• Type: In-Office
• Location: Cupertino, CA
• Department: People
• Reports to: COO

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision
• Flexible PTO
• Support for personal development

At Orkes, we are committed to building a team that reflects a rich tapestry of perspectives, identities, and professional experiences. We believe that diversity is not just a checkbox, but a driving force behind innovation, creativity, and success. By embracing a variety of backgrounds, we cultivate an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

Join us at Orkes and be a part of a team where your unique perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. Together we are shaping the future technology by leveraging the strength that comes from embracing diversity in all its forms. Your Journey with us is an opportunity to contribute to something greater and make a lasting impact.