Lead and scale U.S. multi-state payroll operations for exempt and non-exempt employees across engineering, manufacturing, and corporate functions. Ensure accurate bi-weekly payroll processing, tax compliance, wage-and-hour adherence, payroll reporting for equity, and payroll-related controls. Implement scalable systems, manage payroll tax filings and year-end activities, support new facility payroll readiness, partner cross-functionally with HR/Finance, and serve as escalation point for complex payroll and compliance issues.
As a Senior Payroll Manager at Impulse Space, you will lead and scale our U.S. payroll operations. This role is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll while building the systems, controls, and processes necessary to support a rapidly growing aerospace and manufacturing organization.
You will serve as the subject matter expert for payroll operations, payroll tax compliance, equity compensation payroll reporting, wage and hour compliance, and payroll-related internal controls. Additionally, you will manage payroll for both exempt and non-exempt employee populations across engineering, corporate, manufacturing, test, and operations functions while supporting expansion into new facilities and states.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on payroll leader with deep technical payroll expertise, strong analytical capabilities, and experience supporting complex payroll environments that include shift-based workforces, manufacturing operations, and multi-state compliance requirements.
Responsibilities
- Own and manage all aspects of U.S. multi-state payroll operations, ensuring timely and accurate processing of bi-weekly payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees across engineering, corporate, manufacturing, test, and operations organizations.
- Review and approve payroll calculations, adjustments, off-cycle payments, bonuses, commissions, equity transactions, and special payroll runs.
- Administer payroll for shift-based and manufacturing workforces, including overtime, shift differentials, premium pay, incentive compensation, and complex timekeeping requirements.
- Manage payroll calendars, audits, reconciliations, reporting, KPIs, service levels, and internal controls to ensure operational excellence and scalability.
- Develop and implement scalable payroll processes, policies, systems, and controls to support organizational growth and continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, labor requirements, and reporting obligations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Manage payroll tax registrations, filings, amendments, notices, audits, agency inquiries, and year-end activities including W-2 preparation, reconciliation, review, and applicable 1099 reporting.
- Partner with Legal and Human Resources to monitor regulatory changes and implement required process and policy updates.
- Lead payroll readiness activities for new manufacturing facilities, test sites, and multi-state operational expansions, including payroll setup, tax registration, labor law compliance, and workforce onboarding support.
- Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Operations, Human Resources, Finance, and Accounting to support workforce growth, payroll accruals, reconciliations, monthly close activities, and financial reporting.
- Manage payroll reporting and tax withholding related to equity compensation, employee benefits, retirement plans, leave programs, and compensation-related activities, including support for 401(k) administration, compliance testing, and audits.
- Evaluate, implement, and optimize payroll technologies, automation, and integrations across payroll, HRIS, ERP, timekeeping, and workforce management systems to improve efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and employee experience.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll, tax, compliance, and employee matters while providing guidance to managers and employees and maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field.
- 8+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of multi-state payroll operations.
- 2+ years of leadership or management experience within payroll functions.
- Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and wage and hour compliance.
- Demonstrated experience supporting both exempt and non-exempt employee populations.
- Demonstrated experience managing payroll operations in manufacturing, aerospace, industrial, technology, or similarly complex multi-state environments, including shift-based workforces, overtime, premium pay, and complex timekeeping.
- Demonstrated experience leading payroll systems implementations and process improvements, including equity compensation payroll reporting and tax withholding.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and payroll reporting tools.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of multi-state payroll operations.
- 5+ years of leadership or management experience within payroll functions.
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience with Paylocity, Gusto, Workday, UKG, ADP, or similar payroll platforms.
- 5+ years of demonstrated experience in aerospace, manufacturing, defense, industrial technology, or other high-growth environments.
- CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification.
- Experience supporting multi-shift manufacturing or production environments.
- Experience establishing payroll processes for new facilities, production sites, or multi-state operational expansions.
- Experience supporting external audits and SOX-compliant control environments.
- Familiarity with ERP systems, payroll integrations, and workforce management/timekeeping platforms.
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
About
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
Impulse Space El Segundo, California, USA Office
El Segundo, CA, United States, 90245
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