Payroll Analyst

About the role

SpaceX is seeking a meticulous and analytical Payroll Analyst to join the dynamic Finance team in Hawthorne, California. In this role, you will own the end-to-end processing of payroll for a diverse population, ensuring compliance and accuracy across all pay cycles. You will manage complex calculations related to deductions, taxes, and benefits while acting as the trusted subject matter expert for your assigned segments of the payroll lifecycle. The ideal candidate will leverage deep expertise in enterprise systems to support global payroll execution and maintain the integrity of employee data. You will serve as the primary liaison between the workforce and finance, responding promptly to inquiries and resolving issues efficiently. This position requires a high level of professionalism, discretion, and a commitment to meeting strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Your work will directly impact employee satisfaction and the operational excellence of the organization.

Key facts

What you'll do

Process bi-weekly and global payroll cycles with a focus on accuracy and timeliness for all employees.

Perform complex calculations related to regular pay, overtime, bonuses, and deductions to ensure compliance with company policies and regulations.

Serve as the primary point of contact for employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, benefits, and payroll procedures.

Maintain and update critical databases, reports, and spreadsheets to ensure data integrity and support audit requirements.

Execute new hire setups, terminations, and changes in coordination with HR and IT to prevent payroll disruptions.

Analyze and resolve payroll variances by investigating discrepancies and coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Support supervisors with daily planning, special projects, and ad hoc analyses related to payroll operations.

Ensure compliance with ITAR regulations by verifying citizenship status and maintaining necessary documentation for all payroll processing.

Utilize advanced Excel skills to manipulate large datasets, create formulas, and generate reports for payroll reconciliation.

Apply knowledge of multi-state taxation and withholding rules to ensure accurate pay delivery across different jurisdictions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of two years of professional payroll experience in a role with significant scope and responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience working with Workday and UKG or similar enterprise Human Capital Management systems.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR requirements for handling restricted data.
• Ability to work onsite in Hawthorne, California, with a fixed schedule that excludes remote or hybrid arrangements.
• Availability to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet critical payroll deadlines and year-end close.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions such as VLOOKUP, INDEX MATCH, and pivot tables.
• Analytical mindset capable of reviewing high-volume data and identifying trends or anomalies.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising discretion when handling sensitive employee information.

Nice to have

• Experience with enterprise-level payroll for large, multi-state, and multi-location organizations.
• Knowledge of multi-state taxation and how it applies to payroll processing.
• Background in processing payroll related to stock transactions, equity plans, and supplemental payments.
• Demonstrated professional growth and increased responsibility in previous roles.
• Bilingual ability in Spanish to support a diverse workforce.

Practical notes

This position operates on a standard full-time schedule with requirements for extended hours during payroll processing weeks and year-end close. The role is located in Hawthorne, California, and requires consistent onsite presence; remote or hybrid work is not permitted. Employment is contingent upon verification of identity and eligibility to work in the United States, as well as the successful completion of any required background checks. The start date will be determined based on business needs and the availability of the selected candidate.