HR Payroll, Benefits, & Systems Manager

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. 

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind. 

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital. 

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL (coming soon).

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

 

 

About This Role

The Payroll, Benefits, and HR Systems Manager oversees the administration of payroll, benefits, and equity programs while leading the strategy, full implementation, optimization, and integration of HR systems. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and benefits processes, including executive payroll and garnishments, while leveraging technology to enhance HR operations. You will lead the HRIS roadmap, manage the migration from the current payroll system, mentor a small team, and deliver data-driven insights to inform business decisions. 

This is both a strategic and hands-on role, requiring deep expertise in payroll, benefits, equity administration, HRIS implementation, and process improvement. 

 

Reports to: Director of People Operations  
Location: El Segundo, CA 

Key Responsibilities 

Payroll Administration 

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for all employees, including executive payroll and multi-state compliance, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. 

• Oversee garnishment processing, payroll tax compliance, reporting, and annual filings. 

• Partner with Finance to reconcile payroll data and address discrepancies. 

• Respond to employee inquiries related to payroll in a timely and professional manner. 

 

Benefits Administration 

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement plans. 

• Lead annual benefits open enrollment and coordinate with vendors on plan renewals. 

• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and other relevant regulations. 

• Provide employee education and resources to maximize benefit utilization. 

 

Equity Administration 

• Support the administration of Varda’s equity programs, including grants, exercises, vesting schedules, and related transactions. 

• Partner with Finance, Legal, and external partners to ensure accurate and compliant equity processing. 

• Maintain equity records in the equity management system and provide reporting for leadership and compliance. 

 

Lead HRIS Strategy, Full Implementation & Execution 

• Support the execution of a strategic roadmap for HRIS initiatives, aligning technology solutions with business objectives. 

• Lead full HRIS implementation, including data extraction and migration from the current HRIS/payroll system. 

• Manage vendor selection, system configuration, test