Payroll Manager- East Region

Applied Aerospace & Defense (Applied) is a premier provider of advanced design, engineering, and vertically integrated manufacturing solutions for leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies. Applied builds complex hardware for extreme operating environments and is focused on three core markets:
Space and Launch Systems, Defense Aviation and Airborne Systems, and C5

ISR and Precision Strike Systems. With decades of space and defense manufacturing heritage, Applied combines deep material science and IP-enabled process expertise with the ability to enable rapid prototyping, enhance new product development, and responsively scale production. Across its nationwide infrastructure of advanced manufacturing facilities, Applied continuously supports a balanced mix of next-generation technology and platform development, large scale production programs, and aftermarket sustainment for enduring platforms.

Applied Aerospace and Defense is an equal opportunity employer.

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading payroll operations for Applied Aerospace & Defense's East Region, supporting six operating locations, while also managing Enterprise/Corporate payroll. This role provides end-to-end oversight of payroll processing, controls, compliance, systems, and integrations to ensure team members are paid accurately and timely.

Applied is currently transitioning to a new Enterprise payroll and workforce management environment, making this a highly hands-on, working manager role. The Payroll Manager will be expected to work directly in UKG Pro Payroll and UKG Pro Workforce Management (WFM), actively participating in payroll processing, configuration, testing, troubleshooting, reconciliations, and issue resolution. This is not a role focused primarily on delegation or oversight;

the successful candidate must be comfortable owning and executing the work while also providing leadership and direction.

The Payroll Manager will partner closely with People Services, Finance, Accounting, IT, and site leadership to stabilize, standardize, and continuously improve payroll operations, including integrations between UKG, ERP/timekeeping systems, and other business applications.

Payroll is one of the most important commitments we make to our team members. As Applied continues to grow and standardize how we operate across the Enterprise, this role will help build a scalable, well-controlled payroll operation supporting six East Region locations and Enterprise/Corporate payroll.

This is more than a payroll processing role. The Payroll Manager will connect people, systems, operations, and financial controls to strengthen processes, improve integrations, reduce manual work, and deliver accurate and consistent payroll experiences across a complex, multi-site organization.

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for six East Region locations and Enterprise/Corporate payroll, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
• Oversee regular and off-cycle payrolls, bonuses, incentive and equity-related payments, adjustments, deductions, garnishments, taxes, and year-end activities.
• Review and approve payroll, ensuring appropriate validation, reconciliation, controls, and issue resolution.
• Establish consistent payroll processes and service standards across supported locations and serve as the escalation point for complex payroll matters.

• Serve as the payroll subject matter expert for UKG Pro Payroll and UKG Pro Workforce Management (WFM), including configuration, testing, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Partner with HRIS, IT, Finance, and integration resources to support the flow of payroll and timekeeping data between UKG, ERP/timekeeping applications, and downstream financial systems.
• Understand and support integrations involving APIs, middleware, inbound/outbound files, data mapping, error handling, and reconciliation.
• Identify opportunities to automate processes, strengthen controls, and reduce manual intervention.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll, wage and hour, tax, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Maintain strong payroll controls, approvals, documentation, audit trails, and SOX-compliant processes.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting on payroll reconciliations, general ledger…