Controller

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.

The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.

The Opportunity

Swarm Aero builds autonomous aircraft and the software that commands them. We're on funded programs, we're standing up manufacturing across Oxnard and Northwest Arkansas, and we're hiring our first Controller to build the accounting function underneath all of it.

This is not a caretaker role. You will build the function from the ground up: the close process, the controls, the systems, and the playbook that everything after you gets built on. You will own the numbers for a hardware company, which means real cost accounting, real inventory, and real government contract compliance from day one.

You will report to our VP of Operations and work directly with Finance, Supply Chain, and Program teams. You will build the team behind you, and early on you will be hands on in the work. That is the job, and it is also the reason it is worth doing. The infrastructure you put in place will determine how fast we can move as manufacturing scales and programs get larger.

Your First Year

Own the monthly close end to end and drive it faster and cleaner every quarter

Own GAAP financials, the general ledger, and account reconciliations

Stand up government contract accounting: CLIN tracking, cost segregation, and compliance with FAR and DFARS expectations

Own NetSuite. It is implemented, and configuring it for manufacturing cost accounting and government contract requirements is yours to lead, with outside implementation support

Own AP, expense administration, and payroll operations

As We Scale

Build and run cost accounting for hardware manufacturing, including inventory, WIP, standard costs, and variance analysis across Oxnard and Arkansas

Build toward DCAA audit readiness, including timekeeping, indirect rate structures, and an approved accounting system

Design internal controls that scale with headcount and contract volume

Prepare for and manage the company's first financial audits

Support FP&A and leadership with accurate, timely actuals

Hire and lead the accounting team behind you

What We Are Looking For

8+ years of progressive accounting experience with at least 2 years as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or accounting leader

CPA strongly preferred

Hardware, manufacturing, or aerospace and defense industry experience, with real inventory and cost accounting exposure

Experience at a smaller or earlier-stage operation where you had to understand the reasoning behind practices, not just execute an established process

ERP ownership experience. NetSuite implementation or administration is a strong plus

Government contract accounting exposure is strongly preferred: CLINs, cost-type and fixed-price contracts, FAR/DFARS, DCAA

A builder's mindset. You have written the playbook before, or you are ready to write your first one

Nice to Have

Experience taking a company through its first audit

Experience standing up an approved accounting system for government contracting

Startup experience through a Series B or C scale-up

ITAR requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant 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 eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Swarm Aero is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences and make employment decisions without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability.

What We Offer

Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

Medical, dental, vision, and 401k

PTO and paid sick leave

Monthly wellness stipend

Daily catered lunch (office)

Paid parental leave

Direct impact on a critical national security mission

A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems