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Senior Payroll Manager
Job Location:
Job Location:
Redondo Beach, CA - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 145000 - 185000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
11 June 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
8 September 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Department:
Job Summary
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
- Bachelors 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 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 Spaces 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.
Required Experience:
Manager
