Benefits Administrator

About Powerus

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems company, combining advanced engineering, cutting-edge technology, and high-performance manufacturing to deliver mission-critical capabilities at scale.

Operating at the intersection of autonomy, aerospace, and advanced defense technology, we are rapidly expanding our operations and workforce to support ambitious growth across defense, government, and commercial markets.

We operate with the pace, ambition, and urgency of a technology startup, backed by the resources and commitment to build a globally significant business.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional, highly experienced Talent & Benefits Administrator to take ownership of employee benefits, retirement plans, and our employee equity incentive program.

This is a critical position within our growing Talent function, requiring an individual with extensive practical experience, exceptional attention to detail, and the confidence to independently manage complex employee benefit and equity administration processes.

As a rapidly scaling business, we require someone who is proactive rather than reactive, anticipates requirements before they become problems, and takes complete responsibility for accuracy, compliance, and execution.

The successful candidate will work closely with Talent, Finance, Legal, Payroll, and external providers to ensure our employees receive exceptional support and our benefit and equity programs are administered accurately and efficiently.

We are particularly interested in candidates with direct experience administering equity incentive programs within publicly traded companies, including restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, vesting schedules, and associated employee communications.

This is a hands-on role for someone who takes genuine pride in operational excellence, understands the importance of getting every detail right, and thrives in a fast-moving, high-accountability environment.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Benefits Administration

• Take ownership of the day-to-day administration of employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and other applicable programs.
• Manage employee eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, coverage changes, terminations, and benefits-related records.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment, including employee communications, provider coordination, enrollment accuracy, and resolution of outstanding issues.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries, ensuring timely, accurate, and professional responses.
• Maintain accurate employee benefits records across HRIS, payroll, and external provider platforms.
• Reconcile benefit deductions, provider invoices, enrollment records, and associated payroll information.
• Identify and resolve administrative discrepancies, coverage issues, and process inefficiencies.

401(k) & Retirement Plan Administration

• Manage the operational administration of the company's 401(k) retirement plan.
• Coordinate employee enrollment, contribution elections, employer contributions, eligibility, and participant changes.
• Reconcile payroll deductions and contributions against retirement plan recordkeeper data.
• Monitor contribution processing and identify discrepancies requiring immediate resolution.
• Coordinate with recordkeepers, third-party administrators, auditors, and external advisers.
• Support annual compliance testing, reporting, audit requirements, and applicable regulatory filings.
• Maintain accurate retirement plan records and ensure administrative processes align with applicable plan documents and regulatory requirements.
• Assist employees with retirement plan inquiries, distributions, rollovers, and other administrative matters.

Employee Equity Incentive Program

• Take hands-on responsibility for the administration of the company's employee equity incentive program.
• Maintain accurate records of equity awards, including restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, and other applicable equity-based compensation.
• Track grant approvals, award agreements, vesting schedules, participant eligibility, and changes in employment status.
• Coordinate equity award administration with Finance, Legal, Payroll, and the designated equity administration platform.
• Ensure equity grants, vesting events, cancellations, and other transactions are recorded accurately and processed in accordance with approved award terms.
• Support the administration of equity-related payroll reporting and withholding processes in coordination with Finance, Payroll, and external tax advisers.
• Respond to employee inquiries concerning equity awards, vesting schedules, platform access, and administrative procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation and support internal reporting, audits, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between approved equity awards, employee records, and equity administration systems.
• Help establish and continuously improve processes and controls appropriate for a publicly traded organization.

Administration, Compliance & Process Improvement

• Maintain comprehensive, accurate, and confidential employee records.
• Develop and maintain administrative calendars covering benefit deadlines, retirement plan requirements, equity events, reporting obligations, and employee communications.
• Support compliance with applicable employment, benefits, retirement plan, and data protection requirements.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and external providers to ensure effective coordination and timely resolution of issues.
• Develop and improve standard operating procedures, reporting processes, reconciliations, and administrative controls.
• Leverage technology, automation, and modern HR systems to improve efficiency and reduce administrative risk.
• Proactively identify gaps, inconsistencies, or potential compliance issues and take ownership of resolving them.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive hands-on experience in U.S. employee benefits administration, retirement plans, and employee equity incentive programs.
• Direct experience administering RSUs, stock options, and equity vesting schedules is essential.
• Strong experience managing 401(k) administration, including employee contributions, employer contributions, reconciliations, and recordkeeper coordination.
• Comprehensive understanding of employee benefits eligibility, enrollment, deductions, and associated administrative processes.
• Working knowledge of ERISA, applicable retirement plan requirements, and employee benefits compliance.
• Experience working with equity administration platforms, benefits providers, payroll systems, and HR information systems.
• Exceptional proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data reconciliation, validation, and reporting.
• Outstanding attention to detail, with a demonstrable record of maintaining accurate records and identifying discrepancies.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High levels of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, anticipate requirements, and take responsibility for resolving complex administrative issues.

Highly Desirable Experience

• Previous experience administering employee equity incentive programs within a publicly traded company.
• Familiarity with Fidelity Stock Plan Services, Shareworks, or comparable equity administration platforms.
• Experience supporting equity administration in a newly listed or rapidly growing organization.
• Understanding of equity award tax withholding, sell-to-cover processes, and related payroll coordination.
• Experience supporting annual 401(k) compliance testing, Form 5500 preparation, and benefits audits.
• Familiarity with COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and applicable employee benefits requirements.
• Experience working across multiple legal entities or supporting business integration following acquisitions.
• Relevant professional qualifications in benefits, retirement plan administration, or human resources.
• Experience improving HR administration through automation, technology, and process optimization.

The Person We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines exceptional administrative capability with initiative, accountability, and an uncompromising commitment to accuracy.

Attention to detail is absolutely critical. Whether reconciling employee contributions, managing equity vesting schedules, or processing benefits changes, you understand that small errors can have significant consequences.

You do not wait for problems to be brought to your attention. You identify inconsistencies, anticipate deadlines, follow up relentlessly, and ensure every matter is resolved.

You are methodical, highly organized, and comfortable working with complex data, but equally capable of communicating clearly and professionally with employees and senior leadership.

You thrive in a fast-paced environment, take ownership of your responsibilities, and understand that maintaining exceptional administrative standards is essential as the organization grows.

We are not looking for someone who simply processes transactions or follows established routines. We want someone who will actively strengthen our systems, improve our processes, and help establish a best-in-class Talent and Benefits function.

Why Powerus?

Powerus offers the opportunity to join an ambitious, rapidly expanding American technology company at a defining stage of its development.

You will play a central role in supporting our workforce as we scale, helping establish the systems, processes, and administrative infrastructure required for a sophisticated, publicly traded organization.

You will work closely with senior leadership and have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the development of our employee benefits, retirement, and equity incentive programs.

We offer an environment where initiative is valued, accountability matters, and talented individuals are trusted to take ownership and deliver results.

For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to build something significant and develop professionally alongside a company with substantial long-term ambitions.

Powerus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law. Certain positions may be subject to U.S. export-control requirements, and employment eligibility will be assessed accordingly.