Lead Payroll Specialist

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACEFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.Position SummaryThe Lead Payroll Specialist is responsible for the end-to-end administration, compliance, reconciliation, governance, and strategic oversight of the companys payroll operations. Reporting directly to the HR Operations Manager, this role serves as the technical lead for payroll processing across a multi-state, multi-entity environment and ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery. This position owns payroll execution and internal controls, serves as the subject matter expert for payroll systems and taxation, leads year-end payroll strategy, and partners cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and external vendors to maintain regulatory compliance and financial integrity. The role requires strong analytical capability, systems fluency, leadership maturity, and disciplined execution.This position will be based out of our corporate office in Cedar Park, TXKey ResponsibilitiesPayroll Administration & ExecutionProcess biweekly, multi-cycle, and off-cycle payrolls across multiple states and entities.Review and validate payroll inputs including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and adjustments.Manage final pay compliance and supplemental wage processing (bonuses, commissions, severance).Own and maintain the payroll calendar and processing governance framework.Compliance & Regulatory OversightEnsure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and wage & hour laws.Lead year-end payroll strategy including W-2 preparation, reconciliation, and reporting.Monitor regulatory changes and partner with HR/Legal to mitigate compliance risk.Support nondiscrimination testing data validation and regulatory reporting as needed.Reconciliation & Financial ControlsPerform payroll general ledger reconciliations and coordinate funding requirements with Finance.Analyze payroll variances and resolve discrepancies with documented root cause analysis.Design, document, and maintain payroll internal controls and audit documentation.Support internal and external audit requests and ensure defensible fiduciary documentation.Payroll Systems & Data GovernanceServe as subject matter expert for payroll system configuration (e.g., ADP Workforce Now, Workday).Lead payroll-related system enhancements, integrations, testing, and vendor coordination.Maintain payroll SOPs, documentation, and data governance standards.Identify and implement automation and process improvement initiatives.Cross-Functional PartnershipPartner with HR to ensure accurate employee data changes impacting payroll.Coordinate with Benefits team to ensure proper deduction setup and reconciliation.Collaborate with Finance on accruals, reporting, and financial planning.Scope BoundariesThis role does not administer benefits enrollment processing or leave case management. However, the role ensures accurate payroll deductions, proper tax treatment of benefits and leave payments, and correct financial reporting related to payroll.Qualifications57+ years of progressive payroll experience in a multi-state environment.Advanced knowledge of payroll tax regulations and compliance standards.Experience with payroll systems (e.g., ADP Workforce Now, Workday).Strong Excel proficiency (pivot tables, reconciliations, advanced formulas).FPC or CPP certification preferred.Core CompetenciesTechnical payroll expertiseAnalytical problem solvingCompliance and risk awarenessSystems thinking and process disciplineLeadership maturity and mentorship capabilityProactive communication and accountabilityFirefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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 statusDepartment: Human Resources Location: Cedar park, TX