Payroll Specialist, North America

Wärtsilä is an innovative technology company known for being a forerunner in the Marine and Energy markets. Every day, we – Wärtsilians - put our hearts and minds into turning Wärtsilä's purpose of enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services into reality. Our ultimate aim is to provide increased value to both our customers and society. New, game-changing ideas and continuous improvement have been part of our DNA since 1834. Together, we can create new business opportunities and more sustainable future that we can all be proud of.

We want to transition the world towards a decarbonised and sustainable future. By pushing the boundaries of engineering and technology, we can make it work. We are always on the lookout for future-oriented talent – want to join the ride?

As a Payroll Specialist, reporting to North America Payroll Manager, you will focus on these responsibilities across Canada and United States, included but not limited to.

Job Summary

As a Payroll Specialist, reporting to the North America Payroll Manager, you will focus on responsibilities across Canada and the United States, including but not limited to:

Main Responsibilities

• Run payroll for employees in Canada and support the payroll manager in payroll tasks across the United States.

• Review new hire setup, employee changes, and voluntary deductions prior to payroll processing.

• Prepare and process hourly and salaried bi-weekly payrolls.

• Set up state withholding and unemployment tax accounts.

• Review and set up new garnishments.

• Ensure compliance with federal and provincial laws and regulations (CRA, CPP, EI, etc.).

• Calculate and administer employee deductions, vacation, and statutory holiday pay.

• Prepare and file T4, ROE, and other payroll-related tax forms.

• In collaboration with Finance, prepare and submit WCB and EHT.

• Respond to unemployment claims.

• Calculate new hire pay, termination pay, and any required adjustments to normal pay.

• Process stop payments or payroll adjustments.

• Calculate bonuses as requested.

• Ensure that computing, withholding, and deductions are completed accurately.

• Perform month-end reporting and GL account allocations.

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

About You

If you have experience and are passionate about operational excellence, and you foster a culture of people-centricity, then you will fit right in!

The following will enable you to be successful in this role:

• Must have worked with a payroll size greater than 300 employees, including multi-state payrolls.

• 3–5 years' payroll experience.

• Advanced Excel skills are essential, including the ability to work with complex formulas and reports.

• Ideally has hands-on experience with U.S. payroll processes, regulations, and multi-state tax requirements.

• Tech-savvy, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new payroll systems, HRIS tools, and reporting technologies.

• Strong knowledge of Canadian payroll processing.

• Ability to work independently in a time-sensitive environment.

• Proficient in UKG Payroll Software preferred.

• FPC or CPP preferred.

Work arrangement:

For candidates who reside within a 60 km radius of one of our office locations — Surrey, BC; Scarborough, ON; or Halifax, NS — this role follows a hybrid model, requiring two in-office days per week. We are also open to remote candidates who live outside of this 60 km radius.

Last application date: 31/03/2026

Successful applicants must be authorized to work in Canada without sponsorship.

For applicants that reside in BC, the annual salary wage range is $ 75,000 CAD - $ 82,000 CAD.

The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education, individual skill set, level of experience applicable to the role they are being offered and consideration of internal equity.

Wartsila Canada offer a generous benefit package, including but not limited to; extended medical & dental coverage, RRSP matching (employer contribution up to 7% of salary), 4 weeks of vacation (increases based on years of service with Wartsila) and 5 paid personal days per year.

Wartsila is committ ed to Employment Equity, supports diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities.

If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will work with you to support your request.

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities.

As part of the recruitment process, certain roles will be subject to pre-employment conditions, which can include — but are not limited to — reference checks, background screening (criminal record, education, and employment verification), fit-to-work medical assessments, and confirmation of eligibility to work in Canada