Senior, Employment Tax & Payroll Analyst

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite , a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California , and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Senior Employment Tax and Payroll Analyst , reporting to the Director, Finance , to support the payroll and employment tax functions required for the continued growth of our organization and the development of the systems needed to build artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. The Senior Employment Tax and Payroll Analyst will be a key member of our growing Finance team, responsible for ensuring accurate and compliant payroll tax operations across federal, state, and local jurisdictions. This role will partner closely with People Operations, Finance, and external tax providers to manage payroll tax compliance, resolve complex issues, improve processes, and ensure accurate and timely payroll operations.

This is a full-time , exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities:

Process semi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll transactions, including salaries, shift differentials, premiums, benefits, garnishments, taxes, deductions, tax position changes, and adjustments

Ensure accurate FICA withholding and compliance for multi-entity payroll arrangements

Adhere to federal, state, and local wage laws, IRS guidelines, and tax regulations across all payroll activities

Manage and maintain multi-state payroll tax requirements, including state registrations, withholding accounts, unemployment taxes, local taxes, and applicable jurisdictional requirements

Offer guidance on compensation-related taxability and IRS rules regarding fringe benefits and assignments

Oversee quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, W-2, W-2C, 940, state unemployment filings, and applicable state and local returns

Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation, tax reconciliation, employee tax inquiries, and coordination with external payroll and tax providers

Perform analysis and reconciliation of payroll data to maintain compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements, including W-2 reconciliations, monthly allowances, imputed income, benefit deductions, and leave of absence compensation

Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll updates, such as new hires, terminations, pay classifications, time zones, and rate changes

Monitor payroll tax notices from federal, state, and local tax agencies and coordinate timely responses, payments, corrections, and resolutions

Prepare and maintain accurate payroll records and reports while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws

Facilitate audits by providing payroll records, tax filings, and other documentation to auditors

Monitor tax law updates, resolve tax filing variances, and correct out-of-balance conditions

Investigate and resolve payroll tax variances, out-of-balance conditions, and filing discrepancies

Utilize payroll, HRIS, tax, and timekeeping systems, as well as Excel, to analyze payroll and employment tax data and identify trends or discrepancies

Support payroll operations as needed to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing

Minimum Qualifications:

5+ years of experience in payroll, employment tax, payroll accounting, or a related function, with significant experience managing payroll tax compliance

Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment tax regulations and payroll compliance requirements

Experience managing payroll tax filings, deposits, reconciliations, notices, and year-end reporting

Experience with multi-state payroll and employment taxation

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reconciliation skills with exceptional attention to detail

Advanced proficiency with Excel and experience analyzing large payroll and tax datasets

Experience working with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and/or payroll tax providers

Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities

Ability to handle confidential payroll, compensation, and employee tax information with integrity and discretion

Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across Finance, People Operations, and other departments

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Experience supporting payroll and employment tax operations within the aerospace, technology, manufacturing, or other high-growth environment

CPP (Certified Payroll Professional), FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification), or other relevant payroll/employment tax certification

Experience with payroll and HRIS systems such as Rippling, ADP, Workday, Paychex, UKG, or similar platforms

Experience managing payroll tax obligations across multiple states and local jurisdictions

Experience working with payroll tax filing providers and resolving federal, state, and local tax agency notices

Experience with payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close

Knowledge of expatriate, nonresident, equity compensation, supplemental wage, or other complex payroll tax considerations

Experience developing payroll controls, audit procedures, dashboards, and process improvements

Strong understanding of payroll data integrations between HRIS, payroll, timekeeping, accounting, and tax systems

Additional Requirements:

Ability to travel up to 10% of the time

Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones

Specific certifications, as appropriate

Pay Range: California

$92,216 — $130,902 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perk