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Worker Type

Job Description

Summary
The Payroll Specialist I is responsible for supporting the accurate and timely processing of timekeeping and payroll for all employees while maintaining strict confidentiality and data integrity. This role assists with day‑to‑day payroll activities, collaborates with team members and other departments to ensure smooth payroll operations, and helps resolve employee inquiries related to pay and timekeeping. The Payroll Specialist I will perform routine payroll calculations, verify data, support compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and contribute to maintaining payroll records and documentation. This position also assists with timekeeping system monitoring, basic reporting, and supporting audits as needed.

Position Responsibilities

• Assisting with the end‑to‑end payroll process, including data entry, validation, and preparation of payroll for review.
• Supporting compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including assisting with tax reporting tasks.
• Helping maintain payroll and timekeeping systems, including entering updates, monitoring data accuracy, and reporting issues to senior team members or system administrators.
• Generating routine payroll reports and summaries for internal use and assisting with data reconciliation.
• Following established payroll policies and procedures and helping identify areas where updates may be needed.
• Collaborating with P&C, Finance, and DBT teams to ensure accurate flow of payroll and timekeeping information.
• Assisting with payroll account reconciliations and preparing supporting documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting internal and external audit activities by gathering payroll records and ensuring documentation accuracy.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvements and sharing observations with the payroll team.
• Responding to employee questions related to payroll, timekeeping, and tax forms in a professional and timely manner.
• Reviewing payroll data to identify discrepancies and escalating issues to senior payroll staff.
• Performing other duties as assigned to support the overall success of the payroll function.
• Staying informed of basic payroll and timekeeping regulatory changes and assisting with implementing updates as directed.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Familiarity with payroll or timekeeping systems such as Workday Payroll, ADP, or Kronos Workforce AutoTime (coursework or internship experience acceptable).
• Basic understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and timekeeping regulations.
• 0–2 years of relevant payroll, accounting, or HR operations experience.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience or coursework related to government‑regulated industries is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Solid analytical and critical‑thinking abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams and build professional working relationships.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute to process improvements.
• Demonstrates accountability and ownership of assigned tasks.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Team‑oriented mindset with a focus on supporting shared goals.

Physical Demands
Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, etc. Hand and wrist dexterity to utilize the computer.
May require travel to sites/program and special functions.

Special Requirements
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.

Clearance Level

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR