Role Summary

We are seeking a high-caliber, compliance-minded Sr. Payroll Specialist to own the execution, auditing, and optimization of our multi-state US payroll operations. This is a highly visible role that sits at the intersection of Finance, HR, and Technology. You will be responsible for managing complex weekly and bi-weekly payroll cycles, ensuring strict SOX compliance, and serving as a critical partner for system testing and cross-functional data integration. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, love leveraging technology like Workday and ServiceNow to solve complex problems, and pride yourself on 100% accuracy, this role is for you.

The Sr. Payroll Specialist will be expected to report onsite to your assigned office and work in a hybrid capacity. You'll be reporting directly to our Director, Payroll.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely multi-state payrolls for 15,000+ US weekly and bi-weekly employees
• Manage and audit time-tracking data within Workday to ensure accurate hours and reporting
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams to gather, verify, and input manual payroll data
• Ensure all payroll data, transactions, and changes are thoroughly documented and audited for SOX compliance
• Process off-cycle payments, manual checks, and expedited runs as needed
• Perform and balance payroll-related bank reconciliations to support corporate accounting
• Run internal audits regularly to ensure strict alignment with company policies and guidelines
• Serve as Tier 3 support for advanced escalations via ServiceNow, investigating root causes and executing corrections
• Partner with the systems team as the core Point of Contact (POC) for user acceptance testing (UAT) on new configurations, payroll codes, and system updates prior to implementation
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide high-quality customer service
• Troubleshoot problems with paychecks, tax deductions, timecard issues, and other complex payroll-related matters

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or other recognized high school equivalency credential required
• 5+ years of progressive experience in corporate payroll processing multi-state populations
• Advanced hands-on experience with Workday Payroll, Workday Time Tracking, and loading EIBs
• Strong foundational understanding of SOX compliance controls and internal auditing procedures
• Experience managing and resolving advanced case escalations within an enterprise ticketing system (e.g., ServiceNow)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Suite for data analysis, reporting, and collaboration
• Prior exposure to or familiarity with Canadian payroll laws and/or equity/stock payroll processing is a plus
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $79,700 to $99,600 for Atlanta, GA, Normal, IL, and Plymouth, MI based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than July 10, 2026.