Payroll Manager

ABOUT THE TEAM

KRUSH Tech is an international technology company developing advanced hardware solutions for defense, aerospace, communications, and autonomous systems. We're launching our U.S. operations from the ground up, building a next-generation, vertically integrated aerospace organization focused on advanced uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), autonomy, and sensing technologies for the U.S. market and strategic partners. Our teams work across RF, embedded systems, electronics, mechanical engineering, software, manufacturing, and supply chain to turn some of the industry's most demanding engineering challenges into reliable, production-ready solutions, combining the agility of a startup with the ambition to compete at the leading edge of UAS and autonomous systems.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are seeking an experienced, proactive Payroll Manager to own and manage payroll operations for our U.S. workforce. This hands-on role combines accurate, timely payroll delivery with responsibility for the systems, configurations, controls, and processes that support a growing organization.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Payroll Manager will partner closely with HR, Accounting and Finance, and business leaders to manage multi-state payroll, maintain compliance, and strengthen payroll operations. The ideal candidate has completed a payroll system implementation and understands how to translate changing business requirements into system rules, workflows, and reliable processes.

The role begins as an individual contributor with ownership of the payroll function, with the opportunity to help build and lead a team as payroll complexity increases.

Requirements

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees across Alabama, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and support additional states as the company grows

• Manage contractor payment processing through Paylocity, coordinating payment details and approvals with Accounting and Finance

• Validate and process timecard records, earnings, overtime, benefit deductions, garnishments, payroll adjustments, and other payroll inputs

• Partner with HR and Accounting and Finance to ensure new hires, terminations, compensation changes, and other employee updates are accurately reflected in payroll

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll requirements, with particular attention to California wage and hour rules

• Establish and maintain certified payroll processes as applicable contracts begin, owning the preparation, reconciliation, and timely submission of required reports and verifying wage rates, worker classifications, fringe benefits, and supporting records against contract requirements

• Own payroll system administration and configuration, translating business and compliance requirements into earnings and deduction codes, calculation rules, workflows, and reporting

• Evaluate, test, validate, and document system changes before deployment, partnering with Paylocity and internal stakeholders

• Manage payroll data imports, exports, mapping, and integrations, maintaining accuracy across connected systems

• Review and reconcile payroll before submission, secure required approvals, and resolve discrepancies and their underlying causes

• Partner with Accounting and Finance on payroll reconciliations, general ledger reporting, accruals, and month-end close

• Coordinate with Accounting and Finance and the payroll provider on payroll tax reporting, quarter-end and year-end activities, and W-2 review and corrections

• Establish and maintain payroll calendars, documented procedures, approval controls, and audit-ready records, and support internal and external audits

• Respond to employee payroll questions with clear communication, discretion, and a strong service orientation, and protect confidential payroll information and system access

• Assess payroll workload and complexity, recommend improvements to processes, technology, and staffing, and develop training resources that support continuity

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of hands-on payroll experience, including ownership of payroll processing and payroll system administration

• Prior experience managing or supervising people, and comfort starting as an individual contributor while building a team over time

• Experience managing high-volume, multi-state payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees

• Demonstrated knowledge of California payroll requirements and applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour and payroll tax rules

• 2+ years of hands-on experience processing California payroll for hourly employees, including daily overtime and meal and rest break rules

• Hands-on experience preparing and submitting certified payroll reports (such as Form WH-347 or a state equivalent) and administering applicable prevailing wage and fringe benefit requirements

• Experience completing at least one payroll system implementation (Paylocity or a similar system), with direct involvement in requirements gathering, configuration, data validation, testing, and go-live

• Experience administering Paylocity Payroll and HRIS, including system configuration, reporting, and contractor payment processing

• Demonstrated ability to configure and adjust payroll rules, codes, and workflows as business needs and compliance requirements change

• Experience managing payroll data imports, exports, and mapping, including identifying and resolving data discrepancies

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for payroll analysis, validation, and reconciliation

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll matters clearly to employees and cross-functional partners

• Ability to independently manage priorities, meet payroll deadlines, and handle sensitive information with discretion

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification from PayrollOrg

• Experience building payroll processes and supporting expansion into new states or locations

• Experience training or mentoring payroll colleagues or leading payroll projects

• Experience applying AI-assisted tools to automate or verify payroll processes

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Functional ownership: accountability for payroll delivery, system performance, and continuous improvement

• Systems thinking: understands how payroll rules, data, and workflows interact and evaluates the impact of changes

• Accuracy and judgment: reviews information carefully, identifies risks, and resolves issues appropriately

• Analytical problem-solving: investigates discrepancies, identifies root causes, and implements lasting solutions

• Cross-functional partnership: works effectively with HR, Accounting and Finance, business leaders, and external providers

• Employee service: provides timely, clear, and respectful payroll support

• Planning and adaptability: maintains reliable payroll operations while managing system changes and organizational growth

Benefits

KRUSH Tech offers a competitive compensation package. Compensation is determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual offers are determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on interview performance, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, and internal equity.

The salary range provided is a good faith estimate of the applicable range as of the date of posting. The final offer will be determined after considering all relevant factors, including a candidate's qualifications and experience.

In addition to base pay, KRUSH Tech offers a monthly benefits stipend that employees can apply toward the health, dental, vision, or other coverage that best fits their needs, along with 9 paid federal holidays per year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

KRUSH Tech is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act and applicable local ordinances.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

KRUSH Tech is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process and during employment. If you require assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resources.