Payroll Specialist

ARES is an award-winning space and defense company, providing innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions on-time and within budget to high value-programs.

Our clients include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Missile Defense Agency, Space Force, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

ARES is an 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

This path allows us to continue to be an independently-managed company, focused on long-term success with an employee-centered culture.

As owners, our employees are deeply invested in the success of our client’s mission, creating a collaborative, productive work environment where everyone strives toward a common goal.

We are looking for a detail-oriented and reliable Payroll Specialist to support payroll operations for a growing government contracting organization.

This individual is responsible for processing payroll for more than 500 employees across multiple entities. under a holding company structure.

Our workforce spans over 25 states, requiring strong knowledge of multi-state payroll compliance.

The ideal candidate has prior technical payroll expertise, experience working in a multi-state environment, and familiarity with government contracting requirements.

This position will be a hybrid position based out of our McLean, VA headquarters and will require in-office work two to three days per week.

• Process our semi-monthly payroll for 550–600 employees across multiple companies/entities
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including wages, bonuses, deductions, and taxes across multiple states
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including multi-state and union-specific requirements
• Reconcile payroll reports, general ledger entries, and benefit deductions
• Coordinate with HR on employee data changes (new hires, terminations, promotions, multi-state transfers, etc.)
• Coordinate with management team to ensure timely and accurate completion of timecards for payroll processing