Payroll and Total Rewards Specialist

Payroll & Total Rewards Specialist  

Systems Engineering 

Portland, ME 

At Systems Engineering, our mission is to enable the exceptional with our clients, employees, and the community. Our Office of People & Culture is seeking a part-time (25 hours per week) Payroll & Total Rewards Specialist to join our team of employee-owners. This position plays a key role in ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and effectiveness of payroll processing and total rewards administration.  

• Accurately process all aspects of bi-weekly, multi-state, ensuring compliance with wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and internal policies while maintaining confidentiality and precision in payroll data management.  
• Reconcile bi-weekly benefit deductions payroll and monthly benefit invoices.  
• Generate payroll and benefits reports, assist with audits, and ensure all payroll and benefits-related documentation meets compliance standards. 
• Lead payroll-related communications, provide updates to employee-owners when needed & support to employees and managers in various payroll-related topics. 
• Work collaboratively with People Operations & Compliance Specialist on storage and security of payroll documents and reports within internal and personnel files.  
• Collaborate with internal team members to provide benefits education to employee-owners throughout the year through a variety of methods including new hire benefit orientations, ongoing education for 401k & ESOP benefits, open enrollment town halls, and well-being topics.  
• Ensure timely and accurate benefit invoice reconciliation by collaborating with the finance team to maintain accuracy. 
• Support the execution of annual Total Rewards Statement delivery, in collaboration with HRIS & ESOP/401k TPA.  

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in payroll, HRIS, and benefit administration.  
• Prior experience in an individual contributor or specialist role within an HR department, handling multiple compliance-related responsibilities. 
• Experience with HRIS systems, payroll, and benefits administration, Paylocity experience strongly preferred. 
• Broad knowledge of, and experience in, managing employee-owner benefits programs in a self-insured environment, including 401(k) retirement & ESOP programs. This includes experience working with various brokers and third-party administrators. 
• A people-centric & team-oriented, results-driven individual, passionate about creating an exceptional employee-owner experience with ability to work cross functionally. 
• Strong organizational skills with above average attention to detail and an innovative mindset.  

• Systems Engineering has three office locations: Portland, Maine, Nashua, NH, and Pineland Farms, New Gloucester ME.   Being 100% employee-owned, the employee-owners of Systems Engineering are its most valuable resources who have collectively made Systems Engineering a Best Places to Work Company in Maine for over a decade. We pride ourselves on delivering great outcomes for our Culture, Clients, and our Community by cultivating a culture focused on continuous learning, community impact, and Employee-Ownership. 

• In addition to a competitive hourly wage, starting at $25 per hour, our part-time benefits include: 
• Community Engagement benefits including (8) hours of paid community volunteer time & employer-charitable match. 
• Engaging wellness programs including onsite health coaching & onsite fitness facilities. 
• Dynamic, fun, and active community culture. 
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays 
• Discretionary Profit Sharing 
• Ongoing learning, training, and development opportunities 
• 401k eligible with employer match after a year of employment 
• Business casual work attire. 
• Employer-provided parking at our office locations. 

Work Schedule & Environment: Hybrid with Flexibility This is a hybrid role, with two in-office days per week to foster in-person collaboration, connection, and team alignment. Outside of that, we support flexible work arrangements that allow you to do your best work—whether that’s from home, the office, or a bit of both. 

The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, with core hours from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This allows for flexibility in how you structure the rest of your day while ensuring availability for team collaboration and meetings.

KMA Human Resources Consulting has been engaged to manage this search. NO PHONE CALLS OR RECRUITERS PLEASE 

Due to the nature of our business and the requirements of ITAR regulations, this role may require access to controlled information and technology. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and be willing to undergo a thorough background check as part of the employment process. 

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, familial status, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.