Sign up to access all features of our service.
  • Job search
  • Favorites
  • Create a CV
    New
  • Salaries
  • Subscriptions

Senior Manager, Strategic Finance

$160k - $240k

Shield AI

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.


Job Description:

We build advanced autonomous systems for defense markets-complex hardware and software products that demand world-class financial modeling, rigorous strategic analysis, and the ability to turn complexity into clarity.

We seek a Senior Strategic Finance Lead with deep Aerospace & Defense (A&D) experience, a strong strategic or corporate finance background in a publicly traded company, and a proven track record architecting and owning long-range financial models. You will serve as the analytical engine of Corporate Finance: designing the company's fully integrated long-range three-statement and unit economics model, driving enterprise-level financial strategy, and producing investor-grade outputs that shape decisions at the C-suite, Board, and ultimately public investors.

Candidates must bring elite modeling expertise (IB/PE/HF/Equity Research), mastery of complex HW/SW unit economics, and comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

What you'll do:

Own and Build the Strategic Financial Model
  • Architect and maintain a fully integrated, scalable, three-statement model grounded in unit economics, operational drivers, and industry benchmarks.
  • Lead the Long Range Plan (LRP), including scenario modeling, sensitivities, and valuation frameworks.
  • Translate production ramps, R&D investments, contract timing, government milestones, and GTM strategy directly into financial outcomes.
  • Deliver investor-grade outputs including valuations, strategic insights, and Board-ready narratives.
  • Maintain a forward-looking view of risks, opportunities, capital needs, and strategic inflection points.
Digitize & Scale Modeling Infrastructure
  • Partner with data engineering/systems teams to evolve modeling from Excel into modern cloud-based planning tools.
  • Design modular, scalable model architectures; use Excel only where it provides meaningful analytical leverage.
  • Integrate automation and analytics to improve clarity, reduce manual work, and increase decision velocity.
Analyze the Business Like an Investor
  • Benchmark peers across defense, autonomy, robotics, aerospace, and industrial tech.
  • Build competitor profiles, KPI benchmarks, and market analyses that inform strategy.
  • Develop a point of view on unit economics, efficiency, scale, profitability, and capital allocation.
  • Support M&A modeling, valuation, synergy analysis, and diligence.
  • Provide strategic insights that go beyond the numbers.
Lead Cash Flow & Liquidity Modeling
  • Build rolling cash flow forecasts across working capital, inventory, milestone payments, production cycles, and CapEx.
  • Model government contract payment timing, production curves, and program cash profiles.
  • Identify liquidity risks early and support capital allocation and financing strategies.
Partner Across the Company
  • Work closely with the VP FP&A, CFO, CEO, and senior leaders on forward-looking financial strategy.
  • Translate engineering, program, and operations plans into financial impacts.
  • Connect short-term forecasting with the long-range plan.
  • Present insights that accelerate execution and elevate decision quality.
  • Take full accountability for forecast accuracy, improving results with each actualized quarter.
Required qualifications:
  • 8-10 years of experience, including significant time in investment banking, PE, hedge funds, or equity research.
  • Direct strategic finance leadership experience in a publicly traded company.
  • Deep A&D industry exposure (defense, aerospace, autonomy, robotics, industrial tech, or complex HW/SW).
  • Proven ownership of scalable three-statement models, LRP development, valuations, sensitivities, and unit economics.
  • Exceptional Excel modeling capability; fluent in multi-scenario three-statement modeling, beat-and-raise frameworks, and driver-based forecasting.
  • Strong GAAP proficiency and command of financial statement mechanics.
  • Demonstrated ability to distill complex financial and technical information into clear insights for executives, Board, and investors.
  • Thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments with high accuracy and strong judgment.
  • Systems-oriented mindset; comfortable partnering with data and systems teams.
Preferred qualifications:
  • Familiarity with government contract economics, milestone-based revenue, and program accounting.
  • M&A experience including modeling, valuation, and diligence.
  • Exposure to manufacturing scale, supply chain dynamics, and hardware production cycles.
Who you are:
  • An analytical athlete with exceptional modeling intuition and attention to detail.
  • A structured, clear thinker who simplifies complexity without losing nuance.
  • Fast, accurate, and calm under pressure.
  • Curious, forward-looking, and driven to understand what truly moves the business.
  • A strong communicator who elevates decision quality across the company.
  • Mission-driven and energized by solving complex, high-impact problems.

Why this role matters:

You will build the strategic financial model that defines how the business is understood-internally, at the Board level, and eventually by public investors. Your work will guide product strategy, capital allocation, investments, and long-range ambitions. This is Strategic Finance at its highest level: high complexity, high visibility, high impact.

$160,000 - $240,000 a year

#LI-TF1

#LE

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.

###

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.


We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Vacancy posted 3 days ago
Similar jobs that could be interesting for youBased on the Senior Manager, Strategic Finance in San Mateo, CA vacancy
  •  ...Senior Manager – IT Finance At Gilead, we're creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we've tackled diseases such...  ...platforms supporting Finance. This leader will oversee strategic initiatives, system lifecycle management, vendor coordination... 
    Senior
    Contract work
    Remote work

    GILEAD

    San Mateo, CA
    22 hours ago
  • $170k - $250k

     ...turn complexity into clarity. We seek a Senior Corporate FP&A Lead with deep 3...  ...This role has a natural path to FP&A and finance leadership as the company scales. What...  ...risks, opportunities, capital needs, and strategic inflection points. Lead the Annual Operating... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Contract work
    Temporary work
    Part time
    Worldwide

    Shield AI

    San Mateo, CA
    2 days ago
  • $157k - $205k

     ...to make a real difference, every day. Position Title: Senior Manager, FP&A Department: Finance Reports To: Director, FP&A Location: South San Francisco...  ...management activities. This position serves as a strategic business partner to cross‑functional leaders, providing... 
    Senior

    Kardigan

    South San Francisco, CA
    22 hours ago
  • $157k - $205k

     ...to make a real difference, every day. Position Title: Senior Manager, FP&A Department: Finance Reports To: Director, FP&A Location: South San Francisco...  ...management activities. This position serves as a strategic business partner to cross‑functional leaders, providing... 
    Senior
    Contract work
    For contractors
    For subcontractor
    Work at office

    Kardigan, Inc.

    South San Francisco, CA
    4 days ago
  • $150k - $200k

     ...Reporting to the VP Finance, the Senior Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis will be a critical leader within our finance team and a key...  ...programs, this role is a key contributor to achieving our strategic objectives and ensuring we are resourced to meet our operational... 
    Senior
    Contract work

    Jasper Therapeutics Defunct

    Redwood City, CA
    2 days ago
  • $117k - $234k

     ...: $117000 - $234000/yearType: Full time / Regular/PermanentCompany: WalmartBusiness Segment: Home OfficeRole summary: The Senior Manager, Strategic Account Management leads the execution of comprehensive business plans by identifying customer and operational needs, driving... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Temporary work
    Part time

    Walmart

    San Bruno, CA
    5 days ago
  •  ...Job Description Job Description The Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager will lead commercial strategy, advisory, and execution for all Zoox manufacturing...  ...(incl. engineering, operations, manufacturing, strategy, finance, and design) to derive and execute the short- and medium-... 
    Senior
    Contract work
    Temporary work
    Relocation package

    Zoox

    Foster, CA
    18 days ago
  • $210k - $260k

     ...Description Freshworks is looking for a Senior Manager to join our global Corporate Strategy...  ..., GTM growth, market expansion, and strategic investments. One project might involve...  ...recommendation. We partner across Product, Sales, Finance, and Operations to help turn strategy... 
    Senior
    Work at office
    Flexible hours
    3 days per week

    Freshworks

    San Mateo, CA
    2 days ago
  • $160k - $200k

     ...and beyond. About the Role: We're looking for a Senior Revenue Operations Manager to lead high-impact cross-functional initiatives and scale...  ...will partner across Sales, Marketing, Customer Success, Finance, and Business Systems to improve process execution, drive... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Work at office
    Local area
    Relocation package

    Skydio

    San Mateo, CA
    22 hours ago
  • $10 per hour

     ...leader will partner closely with Finance, Strategy, Product, Marketing...  ...market research to support strategic decision‑making. Build...  ...decisions and business issues with senior leadership. Lead cross‑...  .... ~5+ years of people management experience, including coaching... 
    Senior
    Temporary work
    Relocation package

    Zoox

    Foster, CA
    2 days ago
  •  ...conflicts; proactively communicate solution options to client and team Manage staff on engagement deliverables (such as financial statements, tax returns, workpapers, etc.); complete technical and strategic reviews as a member of the final engagement review team to ensure... 
    Senior

    CBIZ

    San Mateo, CA
    1 day ago
  • $168.9k - $206k

     ...your skills come in. We're currently looking for a Senior Manager, GTM FP&A to support GTM finance planning, forecasting, and analysis activities. This...  ...reviews and leadership decision-making. Perform strategic and ad hoc financial modeling to support business... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Local area
    Flexible hours

    RingCentral

    Belmont, CA
    3 days ago
  •  ...growth. As a key member of the Finance Team, you will play a central...  ...business — reporting to our Senior Director of FP&A. You'll love...  ...produce a bottoms-up plan Manage department-level operational...  ...financial performance, trends, and strategic implications with clarity and... 
    Senior
    Live in
    Work at office
    Work from home
    Flexible hours
    Day shift

    Overjet

    San Mateo, CA
    2 days ago
  • $244k - $305k

     ...portfolio planning and decision making.Provide finance support and develop financial models to...  ...for revenue projections and program management for probability of technical and...  ...modelling experience.Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.Excellent written and verbal... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Local area
    Worldwide

    Revolution Medicines

    Redwood City, CA
    a month ago
  •  ...accounting team plays a pivotal role in ensuring Zoox operates efficiently and sustainably by providing accurate financial management, compliance, and strategic insights. We are looking for an Accounting Manager to play a crucial role in managing accounting processes and... 
    Senior
    Work experience placement

    Socket

    Foster, CA
    22 hours ago
  • $153.7k - $246.2k

     ...a visionary, execution-oriented leader to join the Finance AI Acceleration Office as a Senior Manager. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future...  ..., this Individual Contributor role will serve as a strategic partner to Finance, Technology, Data, and Transformation... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Work experience placement
    Work at office
    Local area

    VISA

    Foster, CA
    13 days ago
  • $145k - $174k

     ...accounting team plays a pivotal role in ensuring Zoox operates efficiently and sustainably by providing accurate financial management, compliance, and strategic insights. We are looking for an Accounting Manager to play a crucial role in managing accounting processes... 
    Senior
    Temporary work
    Work experience placement
    Relocation package

    Zoox

    Foster, CA
    1 day ago
  •  ...worldwide. For more information, visit  Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.  Job Description: The Senior Project Manager, Finance & ERP Transformation is a senior project delivery leader within the PMO responsible for managing complex Oracle Fusion... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Temporary work
    Part time
    Work at office
    Local area
    Worldwide
    Relocation

    Shield AI

    San Mateo, CA
    6 days ago
  •  ...with a high-growth, preIPO company seeking an experienced Senior Manager, FP&A to join its Finance organization. This is a highly visible, hands-on role for a finance leader who enjoys operating at both the strategic and tactical level. The Senior Manager will lead key... 
    Senior

    Silicon Valley Search Group

    Redwood City, CA
    3 days ago
  • $129.2k - $206.7k

     ...seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Manager, Finance Systems Strategy to lead enterprise-wide...  ...Leadership Lead and execute strategic initiatives across Record-to-Report, Collections...  ..., and steering discussions with senior stakeholders. Oversee program deliverables... 
    Full time
    Work experience placement
    Work at office
    Local area

    VISA

    Foster, CA
    22 hours ago
  •  ...Job Summary The Senior Technical Program Manager will lead firmware development programs for existing and next-generation robotaxi platforms, spanning...  ...cross-functional decisions involving engineering, finance, and strategy. • Drive release management and defect triage... 
    Senior
    Contract work
    Flexible hours

    Compunnel

    Foster, CA
    22 hours ago
  •  ...Generative AI, a suite of domain-specific generative AI offerings for the enterprise. Learn more at: C3 AIC3 AI is seeking a Manager / Senior Manager, Strategic Alliances to help build and grow C3 AI's management-consulting alliance and global system integrators partnerships.... 
    Senior

    C3 IoT

    Redwood City, CA
    2 days ago
  • $112k - $138k

     ...Senior is the awkward grade. You've outgrown prep, nobody's handed you an engagement yet, and at a bigger firm you can sit there for 3 years waiting for a manager to leave. A small East Bay tax practice has built the grade differently. $112,000 to $138,000, and the job... 
    Senior
    Work at office
    Local area

    Distinct | North America

    San Mateo, CA
    4 days ago
  • $244k - $305k

     ...Revolution Medicines is seeking a Senior Director of FP&A to join our growing Finance team. The Senior Director of FP&A...  ..., and G&A functions, providing strategic and operational finance support as...  ...continue to grow. The leader will manage and coach a team of FP&A business... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Local area
    Worldwide

    REVOLUTION Medicines

    Redwood City, CA
    22 hours ago
  •  ...Job Description Job Description As Strategic Sourcing Manager of Direct Procurement, you will be responsible for Zoox’s strategic sourcing...  ...(incl. engineering, operations, manufacturing, strategy, finance, and design) to derive and execute the medium-term (3-5 years... 
    Senior
    Contract work
    Temporary work
    Relocation package

    Zoox

    Foster, CA
    a month ago
  • $100k - $185k

     ...Due to continuing growth, our team is seeking a Senior Tax Manager who has an entrepreneurial spirit and knows how to get things done. In addition to the traditional roll-up your sleeves tax review and client advisory, the role requires a strong sense of entrepreneurship... 
    Senior
    Work experience placement
    Work at office
    Local area
    Flexible hours

    Platform Accounting

    South San Francisco, CA
    10 hours ago
  • $149.8k - $240.1k

     ...your community, and to the world. Progress starts with you. Job Description Visa is looking for a strategic and results-oriented Senior Finance Manager to join our Technology Finance team supporting the Infrastructure and Operations organization. This role provides... 
    Senior
    Full time
    Work experience placement
    Work at office
    Local area

    VISA

    Foster, CA
    22 hours ago
  • $186k - $233k

     ...top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team. As the Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM) for Vehicle Attributes, you will be the operational engine and technical coordinator behind vehicle attribute... 
    Senior
    Temporary work
    Local area
    Immediate start
    Relocation package
    Shift work

    Zoox

    Foster, CA
    2 days ago
  • $280k - $315k

     ...Corporate Development and Strategy, the Senior Director, New Product Planning will help...  ...Business Development, Corporate Strategy, and Finance to integrate scientific, clinical,...  ...depth with strong commercial judgment and strategic and financial acumen. A core aspect of... 
    Senior
    Local area

    Mirum Pharmaceuticals

    Foster, CA
    2 days ago
  • $90k - $120k

     ...Senior Staff Accountant - Exempt - Full time Salary range: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 Junipero...  ...supports the work of the V.P of Finance of Junípero Serra High School to advance...  ...community, and leadership. This role involves managing confidential and time-sensitive matters,... 
    Senior
    Full time

    Junipero Serra High School

    San Mateo, CA
    3 days ago

Do you want to receive more vacancies?

Subscribe and receive similar vacancies to Senior Manager, Strategic Finance. Be the first to apply!