Payroll Specialist

Company Description Air is the leader in Enterprise Readiness. Our mission is to establish readiness as a real-time condition that is continuously achieved. Today, a dangerous Readiness Gap exists between what the front line needs and what is delivered. Our AI-native platform, Air Enterprise Readiness, aligns development, production, delivery, and sustainment into one coordinated execution system for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real constraints, coordinating resources, and executing at the speed of operational demands, the front line gets what it needs to succeed. Job Description Air is seeking a Payroll Specialist who combines strong payroll expertise, accounting discipline, and a commitment to accuracy, compliance, and employee service. You will own key aspects of the payroll process for a growing, multi-state workforce and help ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. This role will partner closely with Finance, People Operations, Benefits, and external providers to maintain compliant payroll operations, strengthen internal controls, and build scalable processes that support Air’s continued growth.

This role is a full-time position located out of our office in Arlington, VA.

This role may require up to 5% travel.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for a multi-state workforce, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.
• Review and validate payroll inputs, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, time and attendance, benefit deductions, garnishments, leaves, retroactive adjustments, and off-cycle payments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, wage and hour regulations, and company policies.
• Manage and reconcile payroll tax activity, including quarterly and annual filings, W-2s, payroll tax notices, and state and local registrations in coordination with payroll providers.
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries, accruals, and other payroll-related accounting entries, and reconcile payroll-related general ledger and balance sheet accounts.
• Perform payroll audits and reconciliations each pay cycle to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
• Partner closely with People Operations, Benefits, Finance, and Accounting to ensure employee data, deductions, compensation changes, and payroll accounting are complete and accurate.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready payroll records and supporting documentation in accordance with company policies, SOX requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll documentation, reconciliations, control evidence, and responses to auditor inquiries.
• Develop, document, and execute payroll policies, procedures, and SOX-compliant internal controls that strengthen accuracy, compliance, and segregation of duties.
• Support payroll system implementations, integrations, testing, and process enhancements, and identify opportunities to automate and improve payroll operations.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities and provide payroll reporting and analysis as needed.
• Be an active participant in establishing systems and processes that position Air for continued growth and public-company readiness.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

Required Skills:

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license/certification is strongly preferred.
• 4+ years of relevant payroll experience, including hands-on ownership of U.S. multi-state payroll processing.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, wage and hour rules, payroll deductions, and payroll compliance.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, including journal entries, accruals, general ledger reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to analyze and reconcile large data sets with a high degree of accuracy.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage recurring deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, protect confidential employee information, and drive departmental improvements.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to explain payroll matters clearly to employees and business partners.
• Passion for mission-driven work and a belief that accurate, compliant payroll operations underpin trust and accountability.

Desired Skills:

• Experience working within a SOX-compliant control environment or supporting a company preparing for public-company requirements.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now, BambooHR, and Employee Navigator.
• NetSuite experience is a plus.
• Experience with payroll tax registrations, state unemployment insurance accounts, and multi-state employee mobility.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations, integrations, automation, or process improvement initiatives.
• Experience with equity compensation, bonus, commission, or other complex payroll transactions is a plus.

We firmly believe that past performance is the best indicator of future performance. If you thrive while building solutions to complex problems, are a self-starter, and are passionate about making an impact in global security, we’re eager to hear from you.

Air is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.