Senior Payroll Manager

About the role

The Senior Payroll Manager at Impulse Space will lead and scale the U.S. payroll operations, ensuring timely and accurate processing of bi-weekly payroll for a rapidly growing aerospace and manufacturing organization.

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.

Requirements

• 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.