Senior Cost Accountant

Senior Cost Accountant

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity's presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team. Astrolab is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Senior Cost Accountant to manage and execute our day-to-day costing operations as we transition from design to the manufacturing and testing of our first-of-a-kind lunar service robotics. You will be the financial eyes and ears on the floor—tracking engineering design changes, equipment procurement, third-party contractors, test-product quality, spares, and scrap. Crucially, you will ensure our costing structures maintain strict compliance with both US GAAP and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

What You'll Do:

NetSuite Implementation & Daily Execution

• Implement, maintain, and customize NetSuite's costing modules to align with company accounting policies and reporting needs.
• Execute day-to-day cost accounting entries, labor distributions, and inventory reconciliations.
• Establish and maintain work centers, routing steps, and Bill of Materials (BOM) cost structures within NetSuite.

Cost Tracking & Analysis

• Track and analyze expenditures across multiple dimensions: by account, department, work station, and product segment.
• Monitor and report on variances (material, labor, and overhead) between budgeted estimates and actual build costs.
• Partner with Engineering and Supply Chain to accurately track and account for high-value scrap, rework, and spare parts inventory.

Technical & Regulatory Compliance

• Apply US GAAP principles to accurately distinguish between R&D expenses (pre-technical feasibility) and Capitalized Assets (flight hardware/PP&E).
• Ensure all cost accounting practices, labor logs, and overhead pools comply with FAR and government contracting requirements.
• Assist the Controller in preparing for external financial audits and government compliance reviews.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance teams to ensure accurate tracking of test-product costs and qualification units.
• Translate complex operational activities on the manufacturing floor into accurate financial data.

What You'll Bring:

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 3–5 years of progressive cost accounting experience, including job-order or project-based costing
• 2+ years of experience using NetSuite, including manufacturing, inventory, or project costing modules
• Experience working in a FAR-compliant environment, including aerospace, defense, or government contracting
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) related to cost accounting
• Experience developing, maintaining, or improving accounting processes and internal controls
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, or manufacturing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying ASC 730 (Research and Development) and ASC 360 (Property, Plant, and Equipment) accounting guidance
• Experience supporting a NetSuite implementation, upgrade, or system customization
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations with low-volume, high-complexity products
• Experience with government contract accounting and compliance requirements
• Experience preparing financial analyses related to inventory, project costs, or capital expenditures
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation
• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Experience in the aerospace or advanced manufacturing industry

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Home office set up reimbursement
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks

About Astrolab

Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…

Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.

Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.

Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.

Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.

Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.

Our Hiring Process

Stage 1: Application Review

Stage 2: Recruiter Phone Interview

Stage 3: Video Interviews

Stage 4: On-site Interview

Stage 5: Offer

Stage 6: Hired