# Senior Lead, FP&A

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** Finance & Accounting
**Salary:** $160k – $240k/yr
**Experience:** 8+ years
**Skills:** Financial Modeling, FP&A, three-statement modeling, Excel, long-range planning, Unit Economics, valuation, US GAAP, cash flow forecasting, m&a modeling, scenario analysis, financial forecasting, cloud planning tools, Data Analytics, program accounting
**Posted:** 2026-08-12

> Leads strategic finance for complex aerospace and defense hardware/software products, owning integrated long-range models, valuations, cash flow forecasts, and investor-grade analysis. Requires 8–10 years of experience, public-company strategic finance leadership, deep A&D exposure, and elite financial modeling skills.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities

### Own and Build the Strategic Financial Model
- Architect and maintain a fully integrated, scalable three-statement model grounded in unit economics, operational drivers, and industry benchmarks.
- Lead the Long Range Plan (LRP), including scenario modeling, sensitivities, and valuation frameworks.
- Translate production ramps, R&D investments, contract timing, government milestones, and go-to-market strategy into financial outcomes.
- Deliver investor-grade valuations, strategic insights, and Board-ready narratives.
- Maintain a forward-looking view of risks, opportunities, capital needs, and strategic inflection points.

### Digitize and Scale Modeling Infrastructure
- Partner with data engineering and systems teams to evolve modeling from Excel into modern cloud-based planning tools.
- Design modular, scalable model architectures and use Excel where it provides meaningful analytical leverage.
- Integrate automation and analytics to improve clarity, reduce manual work, and increase decision velocity.

### Analyze the Business Like an Investor
- Benchmark peers across defense, autonomy, robotics, aerospace, and industrial technology.
- Build competitor profiles, KPI benchmarks, and market analyses that inform strategy.
- Develop perspectives on unit economics, efficiency, scale, profitability, and capital allocation.
- Support M&A modeling, valuation, synergy analysis, and diligence.
- Provide strategic insights beyond the numbers.

### Lead Cash Flow and Liquidity Modeling
- Build rolling cash flow forecasts across working capital, inventory, milestone payments, production cycles, and capital expenditures.
- Model government contract payment timing, production curves, and program cash profiles.
- Identify liquidity risks early and support capital allocation and financing strategies.

### Partner Across the Company
- Work with the VP of FP&A, CFO, CEO, and senior leaders on forward-looking financial strategy.
- Translate engineering, program, and operations plans into financial impacts.
- Connect short-term forecasting with the long-range plan.
- Present insights that accelerate execution and improve decision quality.
- Own forecast accuracy and improve results with each actualized quarter.

## Requirements
- 8–10 years of experience, including significant experience in investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, or equity research.
- Direct strategic finance leadership experience in a publicly traded company.
- Deep aerospace and defense industry exposure, including defense, aerospace, autonomy, robotics, industrial technology, or complex hardware/software.
- Experience owning scalable three-statement models, long-range planning, valuations, sensitivities, and unit economics.
- Exceptional Excel modeling capability, including multi-scenario three-statement modeling, beat-and-raise frameworks, and driver-based forecasting.
- Strong GAAP proficiency and command of financial statement mechanics.
- Ability to distill complex financial and technical information into clear insights for executives, Boards, and investors.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments with high accuracy and sound judgment.
- Systems-oriented mindset and comfort partnering with data and systems teams.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Familiarity with government contract economics, milestone-based revenue, and program accounting.
- M&A experience, including modeling, valuation, and diligence.
- Exposure to manufacturing scale, supply chain dynamics, and hardware production cycles.

## Compensation
- Salary range: $160,000–$240,000.

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