Program Manager, HR & Payroll Systems

About the role

Program Manager, HR & Payroll Systems | Tesla (Energy - Solar & Storage)

Location: Fremont, California | Req ID: 281984 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla's Commercial Service Operations team operates & maintains deployed assets including PV, behind-the-meter & front-of-meter storage, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure globally.

As a Program Manager within the Business Process and Software team, you will own payroll software and related pay processes — designing and delivering business process and system solutions that convert payroll strategy into reliable operational execution. You will work closely with cross-functional partners including Payroll Operations, HR, Finance, Tax, Timekeeping, IT, and product/system owners to ensure payroll requirements are clear, integrated, and production-ready.

You will work toward the team's goal of payroll processes that are accurate, efficient, scalable, and systemized. You will take a holistic view of pay and related workflows to ensure root problems are identified and requirements are unambiguous. This role may require some travel. A high degree of ownership, creativity, and self-motivation is expected.

What You'll Do

• Program Management: Lead end-to-end planning, development, execution, and maintenance of payroll systems and programs (core payroll platform, configurations, releases, and related integrations) that support organizational pay goals
• Requirements gathering: Conduct interviews, workshops, and analysis with Payroll, HR, Finance, and IT stakeholders to gather, document, and prioritize payroll and integration requirements
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain documentation of payroll system configurations, process flows, calculation/interface rules, user stories, requirements, and training materials
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve payroll systems and processes — reducing pay defects, manual interventions, and cycle risk while improving efficiency, scalability, and repeatability
• Communication: Maintain clear communication with stakeholders; prepare and present program updates, payroll go-live readiness, performance metrics, and system outcomes to leadership
• System Testing & Validation: Lead UAT for payroll functionality, including pay cycles, off-cycle processing, deductions, taxes, retroactive adjustments, and related integrations, ensuring alignment with business needs
• Compliance: Ensure payroll systems and processes meet applicable wage, tax, labor, security, audit, and other regulatory/compliance requirements

What You'll Bring

• Minimum of 5–7 years of program management experience involving business systems, preferably payroll or HRIS/payroll platforms
• Strong understanding of payroll processes (pay cycles, deductions, taxes, garnishments, retro, year-end) and system/integration patterns (e.g., HRIS ↔ time ↔ payroll ↔ finance/GL)
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience leading cross-functional programs with operational and technical partners
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with great attention to detail
• Ability to understand complex information and communicate it to audiences with diverse professional backgrounds

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)

Expected Compensation$88,000 - $162,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefitsPay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.