Payroll Manager

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.

Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization.Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Payroll Manager

As Astranis’s Payroll Manager, you will own and manage all aspects of payroll operations. We are seeking to hire the best — an expert who combines precision, process discipline, and strategic foresight to build and lead a payroll function that scales.

You are an ideal candidate if you thrive at running payroll in a fast-paced environment while also designing systems and processes that will support rapid growth. You should be detail-obsessed, knowledgeable in multi-state payroll regulations, and skilled at managing vendor relationships and compliance requirements. Just as importantly, you should bring a builder’s mindset — continuously improving systems, introducing automation, and driving efficiency while keeping payroll accurate and on time.

Astranis is a rapidly growing company that is putting satellites into space — complexity and intensity are part of the mission. If you thrive under pressure, know how to operate in ambiguity, and want to own a business-critical function at scale, this role is your opportunity.

Role:

• Own the end-to-end bi-monthly payroll process, including preparation, processing, and review for all employees.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and labor laws.
• Manage payroll systems and vendor relationships, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and scalability.
• Partner with PeopleOps, Finance, and Accounting to ensure alignment on headcount, benefits, and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvements in payroll operations, introducing automation and controls that scale with growth.
• Prepare and deliver payroll-related reports to leadership, including labor cost analysis and headcount trends.
• Own payroll audits, tax filings, and compliance reviews, working closely with internal and external partners.
• Provide employees with high-quality support, ensuring clarity and accuracy on payroll matters.
  
  

Requirements:

• 7+ years of payroll experience, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven track record of running payroll in California and in multi-state environments for both exempt and non-exempt employees.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax requirements, and labor compliance.
• Hands-on experience with payroll systems (Paylocity and ADP are a bonus).
• Ability to manage sensitive data with discretion, accuracy, and confidentiality.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, particularly with HR, Finance, and Accounting.
• Detail orientation and process discipline, with the ability to scale systems as the company grows.
  
  

Bonus:

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation.
• Experience integrating payroll with ERP and HRIS systems.
• Startup or high-growth company experience.
• Experience with manufacturing companies.

What we offer:    All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.   Base pay is a single component of Astranis's total rewards package, which may also include equity in the form of incentive stock options, high quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance benefits, flexible PTO, 401(K) retirement, and free on-site catered meals.   Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position. Base Salary$125,000—$150,000 USDU.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required (To comply with U.S. Government spa