Payroll Specialist

Description

You in this Role. You’ve built your career on accuracy, confidentiality, and consistency. What sets you apart isn’t just your ability to run payroll—it’s your commitment to getting every detail right, every time, and ensuring employees are paid correctly and on schedule. You are a trusted partner across the organization. Employees rely on you for clarity and responsiveness when it comes to their pay, and leadership depends on you to maintain compliance and precision. You handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion, building confidence at every level. You combine strong analytical skills with process discipline. You can navigate payroll systems with ease, identify discrepancies quickly, and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and policies. You are organized, proactive, and take ownership of your work, knowing payroll is one of the most critical functions in the business.

A Day in the Life

Every day will look different, but you’ll spend your time:

• Processing payroll accurately and on schedule across multiple employee groups
• Reviewing and validating timesheets, earnings, deductions, and adjustments
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations
• Managing employee payroll records and maintaining data integrity
• Responding to employee payroll-related questions in a timely, professional manner
• Reconciling payroll reports and resolving discrepancies
• Coordinating with HR and Finance teams on employee changes, benefits, and compensation updates
• Managing garnishments, tax withholdings, and other deductions
• Supporting payroll audits and maintaining audit-ready documentation
• Assisting with month-end close activities related to payroll
• Identifying opportunities to improve payroll processes and efficiency

What You’ll Do

• Own the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payroll execution
• Maintain compliance with all payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies
• Process new hires, terminations, and employee changes accurately in payroll systems
• Reconcile payroll data and ensure accuracy across systems and reports
• Manage payroll tax filings, deductions, and reporting requirements
• Partner closely with HR and Finance to ensure alignment on compensation and benefits
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of sensitive employee data
• Support audits and provide documentation as required
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy

Must-Have Skills

• 2–5+ years of payroll processing experience
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Paychex, Workday, or similar)
• Solid understanding of payroll laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage deadlines and process payroll on strict schedules
• Clear and professional communication skills
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including basic formulas and data validation)
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities

Nice to Have

• Multi-state payroll experience, Ripling system experience and payroll systems integration experience.
• Experience in manufacturing, aerospace, or technology environments
• Familiarity with HRIS systems and integrations
• Experience with payroll audits and compliance reviews
• Exposure to process improvement or automation initiatives
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation
• Military experience

Travel & Work Structure

• Minimal travel required
• Orlando, Florida-based role

What You’ll Gain

• Ownership of a critical and highly visible function within the organization
• Direct impact on employee experience and organizational trust
• Opportunity to improve and scale payroll processes in a growing company
• Collaboration with HR, Finance, and leadership teams
• A stable, detail-driven role with meaningful responsibility

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision
• 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO
• Catered lunches for all employees every day of the week
• Employee product discounts

About Us

Unusual Machines is a U.S.-based drone and drone parts company focused on the small and First-Person View (FPV) segments of the drone market. Our brands - Rotor Riot and Fat Shark - are two of the most respected names in FPV and have helped shape the industry through e-commerce, product development, and a deep connection with the pilot community. We’re expanding into enterprise and defense - bringing our obsessive attention to performance, design, and U.S.-based manufacturing into high-stakes environments like search and rescue, STEM education, and military innovation. With several of our products already approved by the Defense Innovation Unit, we’re solving procurement issues for customers who demand speed, agility, and compliance. If you love working at the intersection of community, content, and cutting-edge technology, you’ll feel right at home here.

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. Unusual Machines participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. We unfortunately cannot offer visa sponsorship for this position.