Shield AI

Senior Manager, FP&A -Strategic Finance

Shield AI
onsite senior full-time $140,000 - $210,000 a year San Francisco
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First indexed 17 Apr 2026

Description

We're building advanced autonomous systems for defence and commercial markets. Scaling a business like this requires world-class financial modelling, a deep understanding of how complex hardware + software companies create value, and the ability to turn complexity into clarity.

We're hiring a Senior Manager, Strategic Finance to be the VP of FP&A's analytical right-hand and the architect of our long-range financial model. You excel at building dynamic, accurate, scalable 3-statement models grounded in unit economics and operational drivers. You've lived in Excel,investment banking, PE, hedge funds, equity research,and you bring a forward-looking mindset around leveraging cloud tools, automation, and analytics to elevate what modelling can do.

This is the analytical engine of Strategic Finance, with a natural path to Investor Relations as the company scales.

Responsibilities:

  • Build the Company's Strategic Financial Model
  • Own and build the fully integrated 3-statement model based on unit economics, KPIs, and industry benchmarks
  • Lead the long-range plan (LRP) and multi-scenario modelling
  • Tie operational drivers,production ramps, R&D, contract timing, GTM,to financial outcomes
  • Build valuation frameworks, sensitivities, and investor-grade outputs
  • Maintain a forward-looking view on risks, opportunities, and strategic drivers
  • Digitise & Scale the Modelling Infrastructure:
  • Partner with data engineering and systems teams to evolve models from Excel to modern cloud-based planning tools
  • Build modular, scalable structures where Excel is used only for high-value analysis
  • Use analytics and automation to reduce manual modelling and increase clarity
  • Analyse the Business Like an Investor:
  • Benchmark peers in defence, autonomy, robotics, aerospace, and industrial tech
  • Build competitor profiles, KPI benchmarks, and market analyses
  • Develop a POV on unit economics, efficiency, scale, and profitability
  • Support M&A modelling, valuation, and diligence
  • Provide clear, strategic insights,not just numbers
  • Lead Cash Flow & Liquidity Modelling (with Corporate Finance):
  • Build rolling cash forecasts across working capital, inventory, milestone payments, and CapEx
  • Model hardware cycles, government payment timing, and program cash curves
  • Identify liquidity risks early and shape capital allocation decisions
  • Partner Across the Company:
  • Work directly with the VP FP&A, CFO, and CEO on forward-looking financial questions
  • Translate engineering, program, and operations plans into financial impacts
  • Connect short-term forecasting to the LRP
  • Present insights that drive decisions and accelerate execution

Requirements:

  • Analytical athlete with elite attention to detail
  • Clear, structured thinker with strong modelling intuition
  • Fast, accurate, and comfortable under pressure
  • Curious and forward-looking,always asking “why?”
  • Strong communicator who elevates decision quality
  • Mission-driven and energised by complex, meaningful problems

Qualifications:

  • 8+ years in investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, equity research, or elite financial services
  • Best-in-class Excel modeller: integrated 3-statement models, valuations, sensitivities, unit economics, scenario analysis
  • Experience analysing defence, aerospace, autonomy, robotics, industrial tech, or HW/SW companies
  • Strong command of unit economics and driver-based forecasting
  • Experience building LRPs and enterprise valuation frameworks
  • Deep cash flow and liquidity modelling expertise
  • High proficiency with financial statements and GAAP mechanics
  • Systems mindset,comfortable partnering with data/systems teams
  • Thrives in fast-moving, high-growth environments

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with government contract economics and milestone-based revenue
  • M&A experience: modelling, valuation, diligence
  • Exposure to manufacturing scale, supply chain, and hardware production cycles
  • Data fluency: dashboards, financial databases, or BI tools
This listing is enriched and indexed by YubHub. To apply, use the employer's original posting: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/1c9d70da-5916-401e-8b04-d1281325cd7f