Senior Program Manager (People Operations)

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries in the United States is seeking a Sr. Program Manager, People Operations to lead an enterprise HCM implementation (Workday/ADP) and build ITGC controls for HR systems. You’ll bridge IT, Finance, Legal, Security, and People teams to ensure compliance and data protection throughout the transformation.

You will own requirements, design controls, coordinate audits, and drive change management for payroll, compensation modules, and access controls in a multi-state environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with internal controls, ITGC, and compliance in HR/payroll environments.
• Enterprise HCM implementations (Workday/ADP) payroll & compensation modules experience bridging tech and business.
• Experience liaisoning between IT and business stakeholders, translating compliance into technical specs.
• Experience as primary point of contact during audit cycles, including control evidence gathering.
• Strong ITGC and security control design, testing, documentation, and audit support.
• Knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, tax compliance, wage laws, and compensation rules.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end HCM implementation for payroll/compensation modules with compliance ownership.
• Collaborate with technical leads on configurations, security settings, data migration, and audit readiness.
• Translate complex technical concepts for business stakeholders and articulate compliance requirements to tech teams.
• Define business requirements, compliance specs, and control objectives guiding implementation decisions.
• Drive change management for system upgrades, processes, and new controls.

Skills

HCM implementations

Compliance frameworks

Audit readiness

Stakeholder bridging

Security controls

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, IS, or related field

Tools

Workday

ADP

SOC 2

ISO 27001

Job description

About Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI‑powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting‑edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

About the Team

We are building a team of passionate individuals who will help us redesign soldiers’ relationships with the battlefield and with one another.

About the Job

As our Sr. Program Manager, People Operations, you will lead program management for a critical HCM implementation while establishing enterprise‑grade internal controls and ITGC frameworks for our People systems. This is a strategic program management and compliance role requiring deep expertise in HCM implementations (Workday/ADP), internal controls design, and audit readiness. You will serve as the bridge between technical and business stakeholders, translating compliance requirements into actionable system requirements and ensuring seamless collaboration between IT, Finance, Legal, Security, and People teams during an HCM transformation. Your work will establish the control environment that protects our most critical people data and ensures regulatory compliance as Anduril scales.

What You’ll Do

HCM Implementation & Systems Leadership

• Lead program management for end‑to‑end HCM implementation for payroll and compensation modules (Workday, ADP, or similar platforms), serving as the compliance owner and primary liaison between technical teams and business stakeholders throughout the implementation lifecycle
• Partner with technical leads on system configurations, security settings, integrations, and data migration to ensure compliance requirements are translated into technical specifications and audit readiness is achieved from day one
• Serve as the conduit between technical IT teams and non‑technical business users, translating complex technical concepts for business stakeholders and articulating business/compliance requirements to technical teams
• Define business requirements, compliance specifications, and control objectives that guide technical implementation decisions
• Drive change management initiatives related to system upgrades, process changes, and new control implementations

Internal Controls & ITGC

• Design, implement, and maintain internal controls and ITGC frameworks for HR and payroll systems, including control documentation, testing protocols, and audit remediation strategies
• Own and maintain internal compliance controls related to People processes, including documentation, testing, remediation, and continuous monitoring of key controls
• Partner with cross‑functional stakeholders across Finance, IT, and compliance functions to prepare for control testing and evidence gathering
• Act as subject matter expert and liaison to Finance, Legal, Security, and external auditors on compliance matters

Security & Access Controls

• Design and implement security controls for sensitive people data, including access management, segregation of duties, data privacy protocols, and system security configurations
• Develop and maintain comprehensive process documentation, standard operating procedures, and control matrices for all compliance activities

Payroll & Compensation Operations

• Oversee end‑to‑end payroll processing and compensation administration as part of the HCM implementation, including base salary changes, equity grants, bonus calculations, and commission processing, ensuring data integrity, audit readiness, and compliance across multi‑state and multi‑entity payroll operations

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of proven experience with internal controls, ITGC, and compliance frameworks in HR/payroll systems environments, including control design, testing, documentation, and audit support
• Demonstrated track record in program management roles during enterprise HCM implementations (Workday, ADP, or similar platforms), specifically in payroll and compensation modules, with proven ability to bridge technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Experience serving as the liaison between IT/technical teams and business stakeholders, translating compliance and business requirements into technical specifications
• Experience serving as primary point of contact during audit cycles, including control evidence gathering, testing coordination, and remediation management
• Strong hands‑on experience with internal compliance, including ITGCs, control design, testing, documentation, and audit support
• Demonstrated experience implementing and maintaining security controls in HR/payroll systems, including access management, segregation of duties, and data privacy protocols
• Strong program management capabilities with ability to coordinate across technical and non‑technical teams and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
• Deep understanding of IT security frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001) as applied to HRIS/payroll systems, with ability to communicate technical concepts to business audiences
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to translate technical compliance requirements for diverse audiences and facilitate collaboration between technical and business teams
• Deep knowledge of multi‑state payroll processing, tax compliance, wage and hour laws, and compensation regulations
• Exceptional analytical skills with keen attention to detail and ability to identify control weaknesses and remediation opportunities
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export‑controlled information or facilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Big 4 consulting, internal audit, or IT audit background
• Professional certifications such as CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), CPP (Certified Payroll Professional), or audit‑related credentials
• Familiarity with equity compensation administration (RSUs, stock options, ESPP)
• Experience in high‑growth technology or defense industry environments
• Familiarity with federal contractor compliance requirements (OFCCP, E‑Verify, etc.)
• Background implementing controls during M&A or rapid growth scenarios

US Salary Range

US Salary Range: $129,000 - $171,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full‑time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third‑party service provider to conduct pre‑employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third‑party service provider provides risk‑intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public‑record information, and other lawful open‑source or commercial data sources. This third‑party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.