Payroll Manager

Hermeus is a high-speed aircraft manufacturer focused on the rapid design, build, and test of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft for the national interest. Working directly with the Department of Defense, Hermeus delivers capabilities that will ensure that our nation, and our allies, maintain an asymmetric advantage over any and all potential adversaries.
This role will be responsible for the end-to-end payroll process across multiple states, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and an exceptional employee experience. The Payroll Manager will partner closely with the People, Finance, and Accounting teams to ensure payroll operations run smoothly while supporting a rapidly growing workforce of engineers, technicians, and corporate teams.
The ideal candidate thrives in a high-growth, fast-moving environment, has deep expertise in payroll operations and compliance, and enjoys building scalable processes.
Responsibilities

Payroll Operations
Manage the full-cycle payroll process for all employees, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing
Administer payroll for salaried, hourly, and shift-based employees across multiple states
Review and approve payroll calculations including wages, overtime, bonuses, equity-related compensation, and deductions
Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure integrity of employee payroll data
Compliance & Tax Management
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and wage laws
Oversee payroll tax filings, reconciliations, and reporting requirements
Monitor regulatory changes and implement updates to maintain compliance
Support internal and external audits related to payroll
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including wage and hour laws, tax requirements, and reporting obligations
Ensure compliance with California wage and hour laws, including accurate tracking and administration of meal and rest break requirements
Manage documentation and administration of meal period waivers, ensuring written consent, record retention, and revocation processes comply with California Labor Code
Monitor payroll and timekeeping data to identify missed, late, or short meal periods, and ensure applicable premium pay penalties are processed in accordance with state regulations
Partner with HR and Operations to provide guidance and training on meal and rest break compliance requirements
Systems & Process Improvement
Manage payroll systems and integrations with HRIS and finance platforms
Partner with the People and Finance teams to improve payroll processes, reporting, and operational efficiency
Identify opportunities to automate processes and improve payroll accuracy as the company scales
Employee Support
Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions from employees and leadership
Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries in a timely manner
Ensure confidential handling of employee compensation information
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with the Head of People, Finance, Benefits, and Accounting teams to ensure alignment on compensation, benefits deductions, and payroll reporting
Support workforce planning, compensation initiatives, and payroll forecasting activities

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)
5+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state payroll administration
Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations and wage compliance requirements
Experience with California meal and rest break compliance, including administration of written meal break waivers, monitoring of timekeeping records, and processing of premium pay penalties for non-compliant breaks
Experience with payroll systems such as ADP Workforce Now
High level of accuracy, organization, and attention to detail

Preferred Skills And Experience

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification
Experience supporting payroll in a high-growth technology or aerospace environment
Experience managing payroll for both salaried and hourly technical workforces

Working Conditions

Role is based on-site at the Los Angeles facility to ensure strong collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams.
Primarily office-based, with regular engagement on the production floor to support workforce initiatives and employee relations.
Occasional travel to other Hermeus locations may be required for meetings, training, or company events.
May involve extended hours during peak business cycles or critical program milestones.
Fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative environment aligned with Hermeus’ rapid design, build, and test culture.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Frequent walking through office, manufacturing, and test facility environments.
Occasional standing, bending, or reaching as part of employee engagement or site walkthroughs.
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally (e.g., employee materials, office supplies, or equipment).
Ability to adhere to safety requirements and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering production or test areas.
Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced aerospace environment with exposure to light industrial noise and activity.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R.

120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to 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.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.
The salary information provided is a general guideline only. Hermeus takes various factors into account, including, but not limited to, the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's professional background, education and training, essential skills, and market and business considerations, when presenting a job offer.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Hermeus offers competitive salary and equity, unlimited PTO policy, generous parental leave, potential for year-end bonuses, and more!
100% employer-paid health care
401k & Retirement Plans
Unlimited PTO
Weekly Paid Office Lunches
End of Year Bonuses
Fully stocked breakrooms
Stock Options
Paid Parental Leave