Sr. Payroll, Benefits & Equity Specialist

Astrolab • Hawthorne, CA

5d • $131,000 - $148,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This position plays a critical role in ensuring payroll accuracy, compliance with California wage and hour laws, and a positive employee experience. The ideal candidate thrives in a high-growth environment, maintains exceptional attention to detail, and enjoys improving processes and systems across People Operations.

Requirements

• 4+ years of recent experience in payroll and benefits administration
• Strong knowledge of California wage and hour laws and payroll compliance requirements
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems such as Insperity, ADP, Rippling, Paylocity, or similar platforms
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally across Finance, Legal, Accounting, and People teams
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with shifting priorities

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience administering employee equity compensation programs, including stock options and/or RSUs
• Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, engineering, or high-growth technology companies
• CPP certification or related payroll certification

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end processing of biweekly multi-state payroll through Insperity, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Calculate and coordinate final pay for California terminations in compliance with state wage and hour laws
• Process employee changes including compensation updates, promotions, transfers, leaves of absence, and terminations
• Conduct payroll audits and reconciliations to ensure accurate employee pay data, deductions, and tax reporting
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and partner with employees and managers on payroll-related questions
• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), FSA/HSA, COBRA, and leave-related benefits
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefits support and vendor coordination
• Manage benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and open enrollment activities
• Ensure benefit-related records and documentation remain accurate and compliant
• Own day-to-day administration of the company’s equity compensation program in partnership with the Head of People & Culture
• Manage equity transactions including stock option grants, exercises, vesting schedules, RSU activity, and employee terminations via Carta
• Create, maintain, and audit equity administration records, trackers, and electronic filing systems
• Prepare and route equity documentation and approval workflows in a timely and accurate manner
• Partner closely with Accounting, Finance, Legal, and external equity vendors to ensure compliance and reporting accuracy
• Help ensure equity administration processes comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Maintain data integrity across HRIS for payroll, benefits, and equity administration systems
• Support reporting and audits related to payroll, benefits, and equity administration

Benefits

• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Home office set up reimbursement
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed