Controller

About Us: Our client is a fast-growing, engineering-driven company in the aerospace and defense space, known for solving complex technical challenges that others can't. They partner with leading programs across commercial and military platforms, delivering solutions where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. This is a confidential search — company details will be shared directly with qualified candidates as the process moves forward. The work is complex, meaningful, and expanding, and they're building a team that wants to grow with it. The Opportunity To conform to U.S. export control regulations, requirements of this position include being eligible to work with export-controlled products and related data without restriction. We're not hiring a traditional Controller. We're hiring an experienced finance leader who can own the close, tighten the cost structure, and stand up to an audit. This is a high-visibility role working directly with site and executive leadership, where you'll be the final word on the numbers — full ownership of month, quarter, and year-end close, cost accounting in a complex manufacturing environment, and audit readiness that holds up to outside scrutiny. Prior exposure to M&A activity (due diligence, purchase accounting, or integration) is a strong plus, even if it wasn't the core of a past role. We're building a team that is intellectually curious, driven, self-motivated, and strong communicators. If you're looking for a role where you can stay in your lane and just execute tasks, this isn't it. What You'll Do Own Full-Cycle Close — Full ownership of the month, quarter, and year-end close, including consolidations and management reporting on a tight, defensible timeline Drive Cost Accounting — Standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and margin analysis in a manufacturing/aerospace environment — this isn't optional depth, it's core to the role Own the Audit Relationship — Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors; maintain internal controls and documentation that hold up under audit without last-minute scrambling Turn Data into Insight — Translate financial results into insight leadership can act on — where the business is winning, where it's exposed, and where to focus next Build What's Missing — Identify gaps in process, systems, and reporting and close them without being asked twice Partner Across the Business — Work closely with operations and executive leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making Lead and Develop — Manage and develop accounting staff, building a culture of accountability and technical rigor What Makes You a Fit Intellectually Curious — You ask why, dig deeper, and don't settle for surface-level answers Driven — You take ownership of your work and follow through without being managed closely Self-Motivated — You see what needs to be done and take action without waiting for direction Strong Communicator — You can clearly explain financial concepts to non-finance partners and build trust quickly Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA strongly preferred, MBA a plus 8-10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including time in public accounting or an external audit function Demonstrated cost accounting experience — standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation — ideally in a manufacturing, aerospace, or defense environment Exposure to M&A activity — financial due diligence, purchase accounting, and/or post-acquisition integration — preferred but not required Proven ownership of full-cycle month, quarter, and year-end close, not just participation in it Experience managing the external audit relationship and maintaining audit-ready internal controls ERP experience (Plex, Epicor, Primavera or similar), including system implementation or optimization Supervisory or team leadership experience required Strong foundation in U.S. GAAP and financial reporting Why Join Us Be part of a growing company in a high-impact aerospace/defense industry Work directly with leadership and influence how the business operates Bring your full skill set to the table — cost accounting, audit, and M&A knowledge all have a place here Join a team that values ownership, accountability, and getting things done If you're looking for a role where you own the numbers, influence the business, and grow alongside a scaling company, we'd like to talk. Equal Opportunity & Accommodations We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to assist you with any part of the application or hiring process, please let us know by contacting our HR department, and we will work with you to meet your needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr