Description
Shield AI is seeking a Senior Manager of Program Finance to lead financial execution, forecasting, and business partnership across key programs.
This role will serve as a strategic finance partner to Program Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business Development, and Executive Leadership.
The ideal candidate has deep experience in defense program finance, thrives in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment, and can balance financial rigor with the speed required in a high-growth company.
Responsibilities include:
- Improving visibility into program performance
- Strengthening forecasting discipline
- Driving EAC and risk/opportunity processes
- Helping program teams make better business decisions
- Building processes where they do not exist
- Improving existing reporting and financial cadences
- Developing a team capable of supporting Shield AI’s continued growth
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or a related field
- 8+ years of relevant experience in program finance, finance leadership, FP&A, pricing, or related aerospace/defense finance roles
- Experience supporting defense, aerospace, government contracting, or complex engineering/manufacturing programs
- Strong understanding of program financial management, including EACs, forecasting, variance analysis, risk/opportunity tracking, and program performance reporting
- Experience partnering directly with Program Managers and cross-functional teams to drive financial outcomes
- Strong understanding of contract types, especially fixed-price programs, and how contract structure impacts financial strategy, risk, and execution
- Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills
- Ability to translate operational, technical, and program inputs into clear financial insights and recommendations
- Experience presenting financial performance, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership
- Proven ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and drive results in ambiguous or fast-changing environments
- Experience leading, mentoring, or developing finance team members
Preferred qualifications:
- MBA, CPA, or advanced degree in a related field
- 10+ years of experience in defense, aerospace, or government contracting finance
- Prior experience managing a program finance team or leading finance support across a portfolio of programs
- Experience with pricing, proposals, BOEs, and new business capture support
- Experience with manufacturing, supply chain, production finance, or hardware-based programs
- Experience building or improving finance processes in a high-growth or less mature environment
- Familiarity with ERP, planning, and reporting tools such as Costpoint, SAP, Oracle, Power BI, or similar systems
- Experience supporting fixed-price production programs with material, labor, margin, and cash flow complexity
- Familiarity with government contracting requirements, including FAR/DFARS, earned value concepts, and cost accounting principles
- Active or prior security clearance
Benefits:
- Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Note: 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.