Senior Payroll Analyst
Luma AI
Accounting & Finance, IT
Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posted on Feb 4, 2026
Senior Payroll Analyst
Palo Alto, CA
Finance
Hybrid
Full-time
About Luma AI
Luma's mission is to build multimodal AI to expand human imagination and capabilities. We believe that multimodality is critical for intelligence. To go beyond language models and build more aware, capable and useful systems, the next step function change will come from vision. So we are working on training and scaling up multimodal foundation models for systems that can see and understand, show and explain, and eventually interact with our world to effect change.
Where You Come In:
This isn't about running an existing payroll playbook; it's a rare opportunity to be the architect of the global payroll and financial operations for a company at the frontier of creative AI. As our first Senior Payroll Analyst, you will build the scalable systems and processes from the ground up that will support our mission to redefine human-machine interaction, with an immediate focus on our expansion into the UK and Singapore. This is a high-impact, foundational role for a builder with a founder's mentality who thrives in a fast-paced, ambitious environment.
What You'll Do:
This is a "0-to-1" opportunity to scale a world-class payroll function, not maintain an existing one. You will:
- Own and scale the end-to-end, accurate, and timely processing of our U.S. and international payrolls.
- Design, build, and maintain scalable payroll policies and procedures from first principles to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
- Serve as the subject matter expert on payroll compliance, ensuring adherence to all federal, state, and international regulations, and manage all related audits and reporting.
- Own the optimization of our payroll system (Rippling), evaluating and implementing improvements to support our rapid growth.
- Build and manage our international payroll operations, including coordinating with local providers and navigating diverse tax regulations for new entities in the UK, Singapore, and beyond.
- Develop robust data analysis and reporting frameworks to identify trends, ensure data integrity, and provide key insights to management.
- Collaborate closely with HR, Finance, and Accounting to ensure the seamless integration of payroll with all related business processes.
Who You Are:
- 5-7+ years of experience in payroll processing, with a focus on both U.S. and international payroll in a high-growth environment.
- A proven "process improver" with a history of creating scalable operational systems and a demonstrated ability to execute relentlessly without an established playbook.
- Strong, in-depth knowledge of payroll regulations, tax codes, and compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
- Proficiency in modern payroll software systems (Rippling) and experience with system implementation or optimization.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with an impeccable obsession with detail, craft, and accuracy.
- High agency and the ability to operate with autonomy in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred but not required for candidates with exceptional experience.
What Sets You Apart (Bonus Points):
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
- Deep expertise in managing payroll across complex international jurisdictions, specifically the UK and Singapore.
- Experience designing and implementing payroll processes for a company scaling from under 100 to 500+ employees.
- Familiarity with global HRIS systems and their integration with payroll platforms; experience with ADP is a plus.
Compensation
The base pay range for this role is $125,000 – $155,000 per year.
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Req ID: R100087