Workday Payroll Configuration Analyst

KBR, Inc; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR, Inc. is seeking a Workday Payroll Configuration Analyst to join the HRIS leadership team.

The role focuses on configuring, supporting, and optimizing Workday Payroll across multiple functional areas, while collaborating with HCM, Recruiting, and Absence modules. The position emphasizes payroll operations, data integrity, and regulatory compliance, with opportunities to contribute to system enhancements, testing, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science, data analytics, business administration, or related field required.
• 8+ years of experience in Compensation, HRIS, IT, or HR technology environments supporting enterprise systems.
• Hands-on experience required in Workday Compensation module.
• Proficient in compensation cycles (e.g., ASR, bonus planning) within Workday or similar systems.
• Hands-on expertise configuring Workday Compensation, Advanced Compensation and HCM Modules with deep knowledge of business process frameworks, security model, and reporting.
• Proven track record of delivering scalable Workday solutions and optimizing system functionality across modules.
• Strong understanding of compensation processes (merit increases, promotions, bonuses, salary structures).

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain payroll configurations in Workday with focus on payroll calculations, earnings, deductions and pay groups.
• Support payroll processing activities to ensure system readiness, accuracy, and timely issue resolution.
• Design and optimize payroll/business processes and system functionality across Workday to meet operations and compliance needs.
• Assist with Workday releases, testing (UAT) and deployment of new functionality.
• Develop and maintain payroll reports, audit controls, and data extracts for compliance and reporting.
• Support payroll-related integrations and data integrity audits across modules.
• Collaborate with Payroll and business teams to gather requirements and deliver effective Workday solutions.
• Manage Help/Support queue as Tier 2 and maintain knowledge base documentation and training materials.
• Ensure compliance with payroll regulations, tax requirements and security protocols.
• Plan and coordinate high-volume data loads using EIBs across multiple functional areas.

Skills

Workday Payroll

Workday HCM

Payroll configuration

Data integrity

Regulatory compliance

Reporting

System testing

Cross-functional teaming

UAT

Education

Bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science, data analytics, business administration, or related field

Tools

Workday

EIBs

Job description

Workday Payroll Configuration Analyst KBR is looking for a Workday Payroll Configuration Analyst to report to the HRIS leadership team this position will play a key role in configuring, supporting, and optimizing the Workday platform across multiple functional areas. This role's emphasis will be on the payroll module to support critical payroll operations and compliance requirements, and it will operate as a cross-functional Workday partner, contributing to the ongoing configuration, enhancement, and support of other modules as needed (e.g., HCM, Recruiting, Absence). The Workday Payroll Configuration Analyst will translate payroll and business requirements into scalable Workday solutions, blending technical configuration with functional expertise to ensure accurate payroll execution, maintain data integrity, and drive continuous platform improvement throughout the year.

**Preferably this position will be located on site at our Houston Office, but we will consider remote work for the right candidate**

Key Responsibilities

• Workday Configuration (Payroll) - Serve as a hands-on configuration expert across Workday, with a strong focus on Payroll - designing, building, and maintaining earnings, deductions, payroll calculations, and pay groups in alignment with business and regulatory requirements - while also supporting configuration across Core HCM, Recruiting, Absence, and related modules to ensure cohesive, compliant, and scalable system design aligned with business needs
• Payroll Cycle Support - Partner with Payroll teams to support payroll processing activities, ensuring system readiness, accuracy, and timely issue resolution
• Payroll Process / Business Process Optimization - Partner with Payroll and People teams to design and enhance business processes and system functionality across Workday, ensuring alignment with operational and compliance needs
• System Enhancements & Releases - Support Workday releases, including impact analysis, payroll-specific testing, and deployment of new functionality
• Reporting & Compliance - Develop and maintain payroll reports, audit controls, and data extracts to support compliance, reconciliations, and reporting requirements
• Integrations - Support Assist with monitoring and troubleshooting payroll-related integrations (e.g., tax agencies, custom integrations for benefit vendors)
• Data Integrity & Audits - Ensure accuracy and consistency of set-up data through audits, reconciliations, and adherence to governance standards
• Stakeholder Collaboration - Partner with Payroll and business teams to gather requirements, troubleshoot issues, and deliver effective Workday solutions
• User Support & Documentation - Manage the Workday Help support queue as Tier 2 support across all functional areas; triage, investigate, and resolve issues with appropriate urgency while providing clear communication to end users; Develop and maintain knowledge base documentation and training materials
• Compliance & Controls - Support adherence to payroll regulations, tax requirements, audit standards, and Workday security protocols
• Mass Data Loads - Plan, coordinate and execute high-volume data loads using EIBs across multiple functional areas

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science, data analytics, business administration, or a related field required
• 8 + years of experience in Compensation, HRIS, IT, or HR technology environments supporting enterprise systems
• Hands-on experience required in Workday Compensation module
• Proficient in compensation cycles (e.g., ASR, bonus planning) within Workday or similar systems
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise configuring Workday Compensation, Advanced Compensation and HCM Modules with deep knowledge of business process frameworks, security model, and reporting; able to independently design, build, and deploy complex configurations
• Proven track record of delivering scalable Workday solutions, with extensive experience actively configuring and optimizing system functionality across modules
• Strong understanding of compensation processes (e.g., merit increases, promotions, bonuses, salary structures)
• Workday reporting tools (e.g., Advanced, Matrix, Composite reports) and data analysis experience
• Expertise supporting Workday releases, testing cycles (UAT), and defect resolution
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on data accuracy, system reliability, and process improvement
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical configurations and system solutions
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across functional teams
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a growing ability to see interdependencies across modules
• Troubleshoot complex system and data issues and the ability to communicate technical concepts in a business-friendly way
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current on Workday functionality and best practices
• Preferred: Workday Pro Certification(s) in Payroll with a focus in US, UK, and/or AU specific payroll knowledge
• KBR, Inc. will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1) or employment-based permanent residence (green card) for this position. Candidates must have unrestricted work authorization that does not now, or in the future, require sponsorship.

About KBR

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together. KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. KBR - Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People - We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential. We Deliver - We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology-led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity - We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what's right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business. We Empower - We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision-makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed. We Are a Team of Teams - We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company. We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals. Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.