Controller

Controller

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site)

Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance

About NODA

NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

Our finance and accounting function is the backbone that makes NODA fundable, auditable, and operable as a federal contractor. The Controller owns the books, the close, and the compliance posture that allow the rest of the company to move fast on the technical mission.

Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration.

The Role

We are seeking a Controller to build and lead NODA’s accounting and financial operations function from the ground up. This is a 0-to-1 role: you will own the general ledger, the close, the audit, the indirect rate structure, and the systems that make a defense technology company financially scalable from Series A through Series B and beyond.

You will work directly with the founding team and finance leadership to stand up the infrastructure required to operate as a federal contractor — DCAA-compliant accounting, FAR-aligned indirect rate pools, audit-ready records, and the billing and reporting rhythm that government contracts demand. This role is for someone who has done the work inside a Big 4 audit practice, knows what “good” looks like in defense accounting, and is ready to build it from scratch in a venture-backed environment.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations

Own day-to-day accounting operations including general ledger, AP, AR, payroll integration, and month-end close

Build and maintain the chart of accounts, indirect cost pools, and cost structure required for government contracting

Establish close calendars, reconciliation procedures, and accounting policies that scale with the business

Manage external relationships with auditors, tax preparers, banking partners, and outsourced accounting providers as the function transitions in-house

Government Contract Compliance

Stand up and maintain a DCAA-compliant accounting system, including timekeeping, labor distribution, and indirect cost allocation

Develop and submit provisional billing rates, incurred cost submissions (ICE), and forward pricing rate proposals as required

Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and CAS as applicable to NODA’s contract portfolio

Support pre-award accounting system reviews, DCAA audits, and contract-specific compliance requirements

Partner with contracts and program teams on contract setup, billing, and revenue recognition across cost-reimbursable, fixed-price, OTA, and SBIR vehicles

Financial Reporting and Audit Readiness

Produce timely, accurate monthly and quarterly financial statements for management and board reporting

Lead preparation for the company’s first external audit and own audit readiness as the company scales toward Series B

Establish revenue recognition policies aligned with ASC 606 across prototype, production, and government contract revenue

Implement internal controls appropriate to company stage, with a clear roadmap toward public-company readiness

Systems and Infrastructure

Select, implement, and administer the accounting, billing, expense, and payroll systems that will carry NODA from early stage through scale

Build the integrations and reporting layer that connect financial systems to project accounting, contracts, and operations

Establish documentation, SOPs, and training for finance processes as the team grows

Reports to: VP of Operations

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Active CPA license

7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including a foundation in Big 4 audit

Direct experience with government contract accounting, including DCAA-compliant systems, indirect rate development, and incurred cost submissions

Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and CAS

Experience owning month-end close and producing GAAP financial statements

Proficiency with modern accounting and ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, Unanet, Deltek Costpoint, or comparable)

Strong Excel modeling and analytical skills

Due to the nature of the position, U.S. citizenship is required due to ITAR regulations, along with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Big 4 audit experience with a defense, aerospace, or government contracting client portfolio

Prior Controller or Assistant Controller experience at a venture-backed defense technology company

Hands-on experience standing up a DCAA-compliant accounting system from scratch

Experience supporting a Series B or later equity financing, including audit readiness and investor diligence

Familiarity with OTA, SBIR, IDIQ, and hybrid prototype-to-production contract structures

Experience with revenue recognition under ASC 606 in a mixed commercial and government environment

Prior military, government, or defense industry experience

Existing security clearance

Skills & Attributes

Builder’s mindset with the discipline to operate inside the rules that govern federal contracting

Strong technical accounting foundation paired with the judgment to make practical calls in a fast-moving environment

Comfortable owning ambiguity: writing the policy, selecting the system, and standing up the process where none exists

High attention to detail without losing sight of strategic priorities

Clear communicator who can translate accounting and compliance constraints into language that engineers, operators, and executives can act on

Mission-driven and motivated by the work NODA is doing for national security customers

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals + Company match

Equity grants for new hires

Unlimited PTO

11 Paid holidays

Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.

Generous Parental Leave

Military Leave for annual training or service requirements

FSA

DCFSA

HSA

Professional Development Opportunities

Access to One Medical

Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Growth Path at NODA

As NODA scales, the Controller has a direct path into senior finance leadership — VP of Finance or CFO succession — or the opportunity to build and lead a broader accounting and FP&A organization as the company grows from Series A through production-scale defense programs.

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or