Controller

Description

Aitech Defense Systems is renowned for its innovation in rugged embedded systems, designed to operate reliably in the challenging environments of military, defense, aerospace, and space applications. Founded in 1983, Aitech has a rich history of pioneering advancements such as the world's first conduction-cooled MIL-SPEC VMEbus board and has continually evolved its product line to include state-of-the-art SBCs, GPGPU-based AI applications, and advanced cybersecurity for mission-critical systems.

Joining us means you'll be working at the forefront of technology with projects that span across land, sea, air, and space, supporting some of the top prime contractors in the industry. This opportunity will allow you to contribute to groundbreaking projects and push the boundaries of embedded computing technology.

The Comptroller is a senior financial executive responsible for overseeing the full financial operations of Aitech's defense and aerospace manufacturing facilities in USA. This role ensures the integrity of financial reporting, compliance with government contracting regulations, and the implementation of strong internal controls. The Comptroller serves as the primary financial business partner to the U.S Leadership Team, providing financial counsel, strategic insight, and operational support across short- and long-term goals.

This position leads all accounting and financial functions - including cost accounting, forecasting, budgeting, and cash flow management - while also providing oversight for legal activities and shared service IT functions. The Comptroller plays a key role in integrating acquired contract portfolios, driving continuous operational improvement, and developing organizational talent in a high-performance, ITAR-regulated manufacturing environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
• Serve as the primary financial business partner to the Business Unit Leadership Team, combining strategic business support and financial counsel on short- and long-term operational goals, budgets, and forecasts.
• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations including supervision of accounts receivable and accounts payable functions.
• Oversee all financial reporting functions including accounting close, internal controls, and compliance with GAAP and corporate policy.
• Lead the monthly financial close process with a target of a 10-day close, including preparation of financial statements and management reporting packages.
• Prepare and deliver financial reporting packages for executive leadership highlighting operational performance, financial trends, and key metrics.
• Conduct variance analysis comparing actual results to budget and forecast, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain and manage the general ledger, cost centers, and departmental profit and loss statements.
• Perform ad hoc financial analysis to identify opportunities for profitability improvement across customer, sales, marketing, pricing/mix, new product development, operations, and supply chain.
• Build and maintain strong customer relations to provide a high level of financial support and transparency.

Cost Accounting & Operations Finance
• Manage and oversee cost accounting processes related to operations - both recurring and non-recurring costs - including cost units, labor allocation, overhead absorption, and production costs.
• Ensure adherence to government contracting requirements and contract vehicle types including FFP, T&M, CPIF, and IDIQ.
• Maintain current and accurate cost data to support rapid turnaround of RFQs and RFPs in alignment with customer needs and program demands.
• Maintain accurate job costing and program cost tracking to support manufacturing and government contract reporting requirements.
• Oversee inventory accounting and controls, including valuation, reconciliation, cycle counts, and analysis of inventory levels and reserves.
• Prepare and analyze gross profit reports, work-in-process (WIP) reports, and estimate-to-complete calculations for active programs and projects.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and program management teams to ensure accurate cost tracking and financial visibility into manufacturing performance.
• Lead and drive the components of cash flow including CAPEX, inventory, and accounts receivable.

Forecasting, Budgeting & Financial Planning
• Analyze operational and financial data to support quarterly forecasts and annual financial planning processes.
• Prepare forecasts and financial projections based on production schedules, program performance, and market conditions.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations that support leadership decision-making and improved operational performance.
• Identify opportunities for improving financial operations and work with cross-functional teams to implement changes, with a focus on continuous improvement on a global scale.

Contract Portfolio Integration & Compliance
• Align acquired contract portfolios with corporate program finance processes and compliance frameworks.
• Develop integration plans that mitigate disruption to contract execution and cash flow during transition periods.
• Ensure financial processes and reporting comply with applicable government contracting requirements, including cost accounting and documentation standards.
• Support the financial review and validation of data used in government proposals, bids, and contract pricing submissions.
• Maintain financial documentation and internal controls necessary to support compliance with federal contracting requirements.
• Support compliance with export control regulations, including applicable requirements under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
• Maintain financial practices aligned with government contracting regulations including FAR and DFARS as applicable to contract operations.

Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit
• Maintain strong internal financial controls and support compliance with corporate governance and financial policies consistent with Sarbanes-Oxley Act principles and best practices.
• Coordinate and support annual financial statement audits and tax reporting with external auditors.
• Participate in and support internal, external, and government audits, ensuring accurate documentation and timely responses to audit requests.
• Prepare and submit required compliance reports for applicable federal, state, and local jurisdictions including Delaware, California, and Los Angeles.

Legal & IT Oversight
• Provide legal oversight and support through use of internal and third-party legal resources for commercial activities, purchasing contracts, and all other legal activities within the business.
• Provide oversight for shared service IT functions to ensure division security, teammate support, and technology advancement aligned with division strategies.

Leadership, Culture & Organizational Development
• Foster an environment that promotes Aitech's goals and philosophies and encourages continuous improvement across all functions.
• Develop key leaders and build organizational capability through successful hiring, talent development, and succession planning throughout the finance function and across all regions.
• Collaborate closely with operations, purchasing, engineering, and program management teams to support financial decision-making and operational performance.
• Provide financial guidance related to procurement decisions, cost management, and operational planning.
• Identify and sponsor process improvement projects and strategic initiatives at both the division and global level.
• Support special projects and additional responsibilities as directed by senior leadership.

AiTech offers a competitive total rewards package aligned with the individual's skills, knowledge, and experience, and in line with both internal standards and external market practices. The expected annual salary range for this role is $170,000 - $210,000 a year.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including senior leadership responsibilities.
• Experience in defense, aerospace, manufacturing, or government contracting environments required.
• Previous Controller, Comptroller, or equivalent senior financial leadership experience required.
• Familiarity with government contract vehicle types including FFP, T&M, CPIF, and IDIQ.
• Strong experience with ERP systems; experience with QAD is highly desirable.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, pivot tables, and complex data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, financial compliance, and audit preparation.
• Experience managing legal relationships, reviewing commercial contracts, and overseeing IT shared services.
• Track record of leading organizational change, integrating acquired businesses, and building high-performing teams.
• This position requires access to information and hardware subject to ITAR. All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR - U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with cost accounting, job costing, and manufacturing financial analysis.
• Strong experience with enterprise resource planning systems; experience with QAD is highly desirable.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, pivot tables, and complex data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, financial compliance, and audit preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial data and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work cross-functionally with operations, engineering, and executive leadership.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Position Criteria:

• Ability to work in a regulated defense manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial and proprietary company information.