Benefits Specialist
Shield AI
Accounting & Finance
San Diego, CA, USA · San Diego, CA, USA · Oregon, USA
Posted on Apr 5, 2025
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our growing People Experience team. The HR Benefits Specialist is part of our Total Rewards team and will play a key role in supporting our domestic, global, and leave benefit programs. You will serve as an internal resource for our employees, as well as liaise with our external benefits consultants. The position is full-time on-site in any of our three locations: Arlington, VA, Frisco, TX, or San Diego, CA.
What you'll do:
- Administer U.S. and international benefit programs including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, disability, life, flexible spending, wellness and perks
- Work with benefits brokers to manage vendor relationships including troubleshooting weekly vendor file feeds/integrations
- Partner with third party administrators to investigate discrepancies, claim issues, and provide information in non-routine situations
- Partner with the payroll team to ensure proper benefits deductions or payments are made on a timely basis Administer U.S. and international retirement benefits
- Assist with annual renewal and open enrollment activities including reviewing communications and enrollment system testing
- Support leave of absence administration cases, including general administration, and compliance with applicable regulations (e.g., FMLA, CFRA, PDL, PFL, ADA, Parental leave)
- Respond to benefit related questions
- Review and approve benefit elections in the enrollment system (UKG)
- Promote Wellness events and initiatives, such as coordinating: health fairs, flu shots and biometrics, etc.
- Manage benefits compliance audits and reporting
- Related duties as assigned
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of experience in employee benefit plan administration
- Working knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, IRS Codes (as they apply to health and welfare plans), and other statutes governing employer sponsored benefit plans
- Working knowledge of Federal, State and local regulations related to leaves including FMLA, state specific entitlements, ADA, company specific leave programs and all associated wage replacement options
Preferred qualifications:
- Obsessively detailed-oriented and meticulous
- Self-directed, motivated, comfortable operating in ambiguity
- Strong trouble-shooting/ problem-solving skills to provide a positive employee experience
- Ability to develop strong and trusting relationships to foster long-term client relationships resulting in effective client management
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage conflicting priorities
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Flexible and available to interact with employees at all levels
- Take initiative to identify and anticipate client needs and make recommendations for implementation
- Strong computer skills such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.