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Payroll Manager

Hawthorne, CA
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

The payroll manager 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • 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
  • 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

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree
  • 6+ years of professional experience in payroll

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience working in finance organizations of fast-moving entrepreneurial companies
  • Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, tax requirements, and compliance obligations
  • Hands-on experience with UKG (Ultimate Software) and Workday
  • Familiarity with US GAAP and the accounting treatment of payroll, equity compensation, and related items
  • Experience supporting international payroll operations
  • Demonstrated expertise in SOX compliance and internal control frameworks

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • 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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Payroll Manager: $135,000.00 - $185,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

  • 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. Section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of 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 status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

About SpaceX

SpaceX

SpaceX is one of the most influential aerospace companies in the world, transforming space launch, satellite communications, and deep-space transportation. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX designs and manufactures advanced rockets and spacecraft, including Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship, alongside the Dragon spacecraft and the Starlink satellite internet constellation. The company plays a major role in U.S. space access, national security launch capabilities, and commercial space infrastructure.

For job seekers, SpaceX offers opportunities across some of the most demanding engineering disciplines in the industry, including aerospace engineering, propulsion, software development, avionics, manufacturing, robotics, materials science, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to engineers, technicians, and builders who want to work in a high-intensity environment focused on rapid iteration, vertical integration, and hands-on hardware development at scale.

Unlike traditional aerospace contractors that rely heavily on long development cycles, SpaceX operates with a fast-paced, vertically integrated engineering culture where teams design, build, test, and fly systems in rapid succession. Employees often work directly on flight hardware and production systems, contributing to programs that routinely push the boundaries of reusability, launch frequency, and cost reduction in space access.

As global demand for satellite communications, space infrastructure, and national security launch services continues to grow, SpaceX remains one of the most important employers in aerospace and defense-adjacent technology. For professionals seeking a highly challenging, mission-driven career at the cutting edge of spaceflight and advanced engineering, SpaceX stands out as one of the most ambitious and impactful companies in the world.

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