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Posted 3 days ago

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Senior Manager, Program Finance (R5319)

DallasOn-site

AI Summary

Senior Manager, Program Finance leading financial execution, forecasting, and business partnership for defense aerospace programs; building process and improving reporting and risk/opportunity discipline.

About this role

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job 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. This individual will be responsible for improving visibility into program performance, strengthening forecasting discipline, driving EAC and risk/opportunity processes, and helping program teams make better business decisions.

This is a hands-on leadership role. The Senior Manager will be expected to both lead and execute: building processes where they do not exist, improving existing reporting and financial cadences, and 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
  • Skills

    BOECostpointEACEarned Value ManagementERPExcelFinanceFinancial ModelingFixed PriceFP&AGovernment ContractingOraclePower BIPricingSAP

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