Controller & Finance Lead (Greater Tampa Bay Area)

Role Summary:

Seagate Space is a rapidly growing venture delivering next-generation maritime infrastructure for the space industry. Our Gateway series is the first-ever ABS approved (AIP) offshore platform designed to deliver the precision stability and motion control required for dynamic launch operations at sea. Based at spARK Labs in St. Petersburg (Florida), joining Seagate Space will put you at the center of two sectors: the dynamic expanse of space and the reemergence of maritime innovation.

We are hiring our first dedicated finance leader: a Controller & Finance Lead who will own our accounting, cash planning, and build the finance function from the ground up as we scale. This is a foundational hire with a clear path to advancement as the company grows and evolves.

Key Responsibilities:

Finance Function Leadership & Strategy

· Own the company's financial roadmap: design and build out the finance function over time, including systems (accounting/ERP), policies, controls, and reporting cadence as the company scales.

· Serve as the CEO & co-founder's primary finance partner, providing the analysis, models, and reporting needed for board updates, fundraising, and strategic decisions.

· Build the operating cash flow model and financial forecasts, and evolve them as the business grows in complexity.

· Assess and stand up the systems, processes, and team needed to scale the finance function.

Accounting, Controllership & Cash Management

· Manage the relationship with our third-party accountants, reviewing and owning the accuracy of monthly financials.

· Own near-term cash planning: maintain a rolling cash forecast, monitor burn, and flag risks or funding needs early.

· Ensure timely, accurate month-end close and clean, audit-ready books.

· Establish and maintain internal controls appropriate for an early-stage company, scaling them as the company grows.

· Support banking, insurance, and other administrative finance relationships as needed.

Procurement & AP/AR (Interim)

· Serve as an interim contract manager for procurement and accounts payable/receivable on Seagate Space's first offshore launch vessel build and operation.

· Track vendor purchase orders, invoices, and payment schedules against budget and milestones, in close coordination with the engineering and operations teams.

· Reconcile actual vessel-related spend against forecasted costs and flag variances to the CEO.

· Identify and hire a dedicated team member to takeover this position as duties evolve and the team expands.

Qualifications:

Required

· 5-10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including direct exposure to month-end close, cash forecasting, and financial reporting.

· Comfort managing outsourced or third-party accounting relationships.

· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage procurement and AP/AR workflows for a capital project.

· Excellent communication skills and comfort operating with significant autonomy in an ambiguous, fast-moving startup environment.

· Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.

Preferred

· Demonstrated experience helping build or meaningfully scale a finance function at an early-stage or high-growth company (systems, controls, processes).

· Public accounting/audit background (e.g., Big 4 or a strong regional firm) or CPA.

· Experience with capital-intensive or project-based industries (maritime, aerospace, defense, offshore energy, construction).

· Prior exposure to fundraising processes, board reporting, or investor relations.

· Experience with modern accounting/ERP systems and finance tooling suited to a scaling startup.

Compensation:

This role offers a balanced compensation package that includes both a competitive salary and meaningful stock-based equity. While salaries reflect the dynamics of an early-stage startup, our equity grants provide significant long-term upside and align your success with the company’s growth. We aim to ensure that total compensation is competitive in aggregate, rewarding both immediate contributions and long-term impact. 

Our Principles:

To fulfill our mission, Seagate Space must develop a DNA that is distinct from incumbents in the maritime industry – one that focuses on agility, innovation, and collaboration. These 5 Principles guide our ways of working from day one and onwards as we evolve.

1. Aim Beyond the Offing – Our competitive advantage comes from our willingness to invest boldly in new (and often uncertain) opportunities. We will devote our energy and focus to unlock the future.
2. Tear Up Old Charts – Real change won’t come from established playbooks. We will constantly challenge the status quo as well as our own thinking to redefine what’s possible.
3. Never Leave Port Alone – Truly game-changing solutions will take more than just our resources. We will pursue win-win collaborations as a default way of working and a core aspect of realizing our growth ambitions.
4. Ride the Tides – The space industry is a dynamic, changing landscape. We will match the fluidity of our customers as they evolve to go where the mission demands.
5. Signal Clear, Hear the Call – Dialog and discourse are essential, not optional. We will communicate openly and welcome feedback to build trust and comradery.