Sr. Manager, Payroll

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

About the role

The Sr. Manager, Payroll is a key member of the finance team and plays a critical role in ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll operations for our rapidly growing workforce. This position combines hands-on payroll expertise with strategic process improvement, SOX compliance, and audit management in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Payroll is centrally organized for SpaceX in the US, supporting over 25,000 employees. This role will be supporting the Head of Payroll for SpaceX and will directly interact with the CFO and Corporate Controller. Significant growth potential is expected for this role.

Responsibilities

• Build a world class payroll process for global employees
• Identify and drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and internal control enhancements
• Develop and maintain documentation of current payroll processes and procedures for both US and global entities
• Support payroll-related projects, including system implementations, integrations, and process transformations
• Assist with end-to-end payroll processing for all US employees on a weekly and biweekly basis, including exempt, non-exempt, and equity compensation
• Support annual payroll compliance reporting for the US, including the preparation, review, and audit of W-2s
• Ensure all monthly close payroll deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule
• Support SOX requirements for all US payroll, including control documentation, testing, monitoring, and remediation
• Lead internal and external audits related to payroll, serving as the primary point of contact

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of professional experience in finance with 5+ years in payroll
• 4+ years in a supervisory role managing direct reports
• Willingness to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA, and requires being onsite - remote/hybrid will not be considered
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience working in finance organizations of fast-moving entrepreneurial companies – “run it like you own it” mentality
• Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, tax requirements, and compliance obligations
• Hands-on experience with UKG (Ultimate Software) and Workday
• Experience supporting international payroll operations
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Demonstrated expertise in SOX compliance and internal control frameworks

Pay

Pay range: $175,000.00 - $250,000/per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

• Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various other discounts and perks
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law