Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Payroll Specialist 

Tucson, AZ (On-site) 

Company Overview 

Ondas is building a new kind of intelligence company, one designed for a world where speed, autonomy, and decision advantage matter more than ever. By combining multi-domain platforms, advanced sensing, secure networks, and AI-enabled analytics, Ondas helps defense, government, and critical infrastructure customers transform complex mission data into decision-ready insights when and where they matter most. 

Ondas Sentinel is Ondas’ U.S.based defense division, purpose-built to deliver U.S.made, U.S.delivered capabilities for the Department of Defense and allied ministries of defense. The division brings together advanced autonomous systems, mission technologies, and intelligence solutions that help customers create persistent awareness, operate with confidence, and make faster decisions in complex and contested environments. 

The Stratospheric ISR business unit within Ondas Sentinel is focused on one of the most unique mission areas in aerospace and defense: manufacturing and operating high-altitude stratospheric balloon systems. Few companies in the world can do this work at operational scale. That means our teams are not simply maintaining existing systems; they are building new capabilities, solving first-of-their-kind challenges, and helping define what persistent. 

About the Role 

Ondas Sentinel, is hiring a Payroll Specialist based in Tucson. This role owns end-to-end payroll processing for the Tucson team and provides payroll support and backup coverage across the Ondas Sentinel organization’s other locations.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for the Tucson workforce: data collection, timekeeping review, pre-processing audits, processing, post-processing reconciliation, and funding. 

• Serve as documented backup and surge support for payroll at other Ondas Sentinel locations, per the cross-location support model. 

• Ensure accurate, timely payroll tax deposits and filings (federal, multi-state, and local), W-2s, and year-end processing; resolve agency notices. 

• Administer payroll aspects of benefits, 401(k) contributions and funding, garnishments, PTO accruals, and expense reimbursements processed through payroll. 

• Prepare payroll journal entries and labor distribution files for the general ledger; reconcile payroll accounts with the accounting team in support of the monthly close. 

• Maintain payroll controls consistent with public-company (SOX) requirements, including segregation of duties, approval workflows, and audit-ready documentation; support internal and external audit requests. 

• Maintain written payroll procedures and cross-training documentation to preserve redundancy in both directions with the accounting team. 

• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality. 

Required Qualifications 

• 3+ years of hands-on, end-to-end payroll processing experience, including multi-state payroll. 

• Working knowledge of federal and state payroll tax requirements, wage and hour rules, and year-end reporting. 

• Experience with at least one major payroll/HRIS platform; Paycor or WorkDay experience preferred. 

• Strong Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables) and comfort reconciling payroll data to the general ledger. 

• Demonstrated discretion with confidential compensation data. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• FPC or CPP certification. 

• Experience in a public company or SOX-controlled environment. 

• Exposure to government contractor timekeeping and labor distribution requirements (DCAA-compliant timekeeping a plus). 

• Experience supporting multiple entities or locations from a central payroll function. 

What Success Looks Like 

• First 90 days: full ownership of Tucson payroll following documented parallel runs and cross-training with the current processor. 

• By year-end 2026: procedures documented, cross-location backup model operating, and readiness plan in place for the 1/1/2027 shared-services go-live. 

• Ongoing: zero missed payroll deadlines, clean payroll reconciliations at close, and audit requests supported without escalation. 

What We Offer 

You will work side by side with experts in emerging technology, gaining exposure to cutting edge ideas and projects that are shaping the future. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance because we believe in taking care of the you as a person, not just a team member.  

Our Tucson workplace is designed to support collaboration, focus, and well-being, with an on-site environment that keeps supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, quality, and program teams closely connected to the mission. 

We believe in creating a dynamic and inclusive workplace where creativity thrives, and every voice is heard. Our commitment to all team members is built upon five core cultural pillars: Engage, Lean In, Create, Care, and Own. Together, these pillars form the foundation of our employee experience while adhering to the highest standards of ethical and sustainable practices. 

Some Final Notes 

The description gives you a sense of what the position involves but is not an exhaustive list. We are a growing and evolving team, which means your responsibilities may shift or expand over time as new opportunities arise. Flexibility and curiosity are part of what makes our work exciting!  

At Ondas Sentinel, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate belonging and diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. We welcome applications from every background and life experience because we know our differences make us stronger. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.