Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges. Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development—from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY™ when it matters most.

About the role

This is a rare chance to own payroll and benefits at a growing defense manufacturer and shape how it's done. As our Senior Payroll & Benefits Specialist, you will run weekly payroll end to end, administer our benefits, manage leaves of absence, and serve as our go-to ADP Workforce Now (WFN) expert for payroll, deductions and the 401(k). You'll work independently and make the day-to-day calls, with the Head of People and our Finance team as close partners whenever you want a sounding board or a second set of eyes. This is an on-site, individual contributor role reporting to the Head of People. We expect to reach about 100 employees by the end of 2026 and grow to over 200 in 2027, so you will build processes that scale. Your first big milestones are taking full ownership of payroll in ADP and leading our February 2027 open enrollment.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for weekly cycles covering exempt and non-exempt employees, including off-cycle runs, bonuses, and final pay.
• Audit every payroll before submission: hours, overtime, earnings, deductions, garnishments and tax withholdings.
• Partner with People Team and managers on new hire, job change and termination inputs so every payroll reflects accurate data.
• Manage payroll tax filings and notices for North Carolina and Maryland, register new states as the team expands, and resolve agency correspondence.
• Support month-end, quarter-end and year-end close with Finance, including accruals.
• Prepare and support year-end processes, including W-2 review, corrections and annual reconciliations.
• Maintain compliance with FLSA and state wage and hour laws, including accurate overtime calculations and exempt/non-exempt classification.
• Prepare payroll reports and documentation for internal and external audits, and respond to auditor requests.
• As government contract work grows, build DCAA-compliant timekeeping and labor-charging controls in ADP WFN with Finance, and support DCAA audits of labor costs.
• Administer health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans.