Benefits Manager

Karman Space & Defense; Mukilteo (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) match

PTO

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Life & AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense seeks a Benefits Manager to oversee end-to-end benefits administration and ensure accurate, compliant benefits processing. You will coordinate with brokers during a shift to self-funded models and manage Open Enrollment, plan design evaluations, and vendor relationships across the organization.

Ideal candidates have 5–8 years of experience in benefits administration, ADP WF N expertise, and strong negotiation skills to support mergers, acquisitions, and integration

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of hands-on, full-cycle benefits administration experience.
• Experience supporting a transition from fully insured to self-funded health plans.
• Direct experience managing benefits administration and Open Enrollment setup within ADP Workforce Now (WFN).
• Demonstrated negotiation skills supporting broker and carrier relationships, RFP processes, and contract structures.
• Knowledge of mental health and digital wellness programs.
• Strong understanding of ERISA, IRS, DOL, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, stop‑loss insurance, claim analytics, and plan accounting.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, integrations, and benefits-related organizational changes.

Responsibilities

• Leads full-cycle benefits administration, including daily operations, eligibility management, qualified life events, billing, and compliance processes.
• Partners with the external insurance broker to support the transition from a fully insured to a self-funded benefits model and evaluates plan design and third-party administrator (TPA) and PBM structures.
• Monitors self-funded plan performance by reviewing utilization data, auditing billings, and assessing stop-loss claims with broker and finance partners.
• Drives operational work for GTM benefits strategies, collaborating on vendor evaluations, RFPs, and SLA adherence.
• Supports M&A due diligence and post-merger integrations by reviewing existing benefit plans, coordinating transitions, and onboarding newly acquired employees.
• Serves as the primary administrator for the ADP Workforce Now (WFN) benefits module and maintains plan setup, eligibility rules, reporting, and carrier feeds.
• Oversees annual Open Enrollment, including system configuration, employee communications, vendor coordination, and post-enrollment audits.
• Manages wellness, employee assistance program (EAP), and mental health vendor operations and tracks participation and program effectiveness.
• Coordinates employee benefits communications and partners with HR leadership to align strategies and recommendations.

Skills

Benefits administration

Negotiation

RFP processes

Contract structures

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, or related field

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next‑generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

The Benefits Manager supports corporate operations by leading full‑cycle benefits administration, managing key vendor relationships, and ensuring employees receive clear, consistent benefits guidance.

This role drives meaningful impact by overseeing day‑to‑day benefits operations, supporting mergers and acquisitions (M\\&A), and coordinating company‑wide initiatives such as Open Enrollment. It plays a central function in strengthening Karman’s total rewards programs by evaluating plan performance, partnering with brokers, and supporting benefits transitions including the shift from fully insured to self‑funded models. Candidates who are energized by operational ownership, detailed benefits administration work, and collaborative vendor management are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Leads full‑cycle benefits administration, including daily operations, eligibility management, qualified life events, billing, and compliance processes.


• Partners with the external insurance broker to support the transition from a fully insured to a self‑funded benefits model and evaluates plan design and third‑party administrator (TPA) and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) structures.


• Monitors self‑funded plan performance by reviewing utilization data, auditing billings, and assessing stop‑loss claims with broker and finance partners.


• Drives operational work for Go‑To‑Market (GTM) benefits strategies, collaborating on vendor evaluations, requests for proposals (RFPs), and service‑level agreement (SLA) adherence.


• Supports M\\&A due diligence and post‑merger integrations by reviewing existing benefit plans, coordinating transitions, and onboarding newly acquired employees.


• Serves as the primary administrator for the ADP Workforce Now (WFN) benefits module and maintains plan setup, eligibility rules, reporting, and carrier feeds.


• Oversees annual Open Enrollment, including system configuration, employee communications, vendor coordination, and post‑enrollment audits.


• Manages wellness, employee assistance program (EAP), and mental health vendor operations and tracks participation and program effectiveness.


• Coordinates employee benefits communications and partners with HR leadership to align strategies and recommendations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field.


• 5–8 years of hands‑on, full‑cycle benefits administration experience with progressive responsibility in plan management.


• Prior experience supporting a transition from fully insured to self‑funded health plans.


• Direct experience managing benefits administration and Open Enrollment setup within ADP Workforce Now (WFN).


• Demonstrated negotiation skills supporting broker and carrier relationships, RFP processes, and contract structures.


• Knowledge of mental health and digital wellness programs.


• Strong understanding of Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), stop‑loss insurance, claim analytics, and plan accounting.


• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, integrations, and benefits‑related organizational changes.


• This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)/Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM‑SCP) certification.

Special Mentions

• Some travel may be required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• 401(k) with company match


• Paid time off


• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution


• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)


• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance


• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage


• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.