Vannevar is a defense technology company building AI to deter our adversaries. In the 21st century, conflict moves at algorithmic speed and foresight equals firepower. Our agentic AI is purpose-built to compete with China—from cross-Strait conflict to gray zone coercion. Trained on the most mission-relevant datasets in defense, our technology models adversary behavior, simulates campaigns, and recommends the best course of action to decision makers. Our AI systems are some of the most trusted in the industry and actively used on the front lines of the Indo-Pacific to keep the peace and save lives.
Exceptional technology starts with exceptional people. Vannevar is a small agile team combining world-class engineers with veteran strategists who bring deep expertise in defense and tradecraft. We’re building a company defined by mission impact, user empathy, and disciplined growth. In just three years, we grew from $3M to $80M in ARR, achieved early profitability, and reached unicorn status—proving that disruption doesn’t require an ego, and staying power doesn’t mean standing still.
We're looking for our first controller to help us bring order to chaos. You are ambitious and thrive in a fast-paced and quickly evolving environment, but are also detailed, process oriented, and organized. You are strategic. You’re focused on where we’re going and build the plans and processes to support our goals. You are analytically rigorous. You have a deep bias towards using data and analyses to drive decisions. Your second language is performance metrics and you have a deep understanding of how to continue improving those metrics. You’re excited to iterate. At this point we’re still learning. You’re energized by the prospect of creating new tools and processes to make the company operate more effectively, and not afraid to make changes when the first, or second, attempt can be improved.
Modernize the finance stack
- Lead the migration from QuickBooks to a modern AI-first ERP (DualEntry, Rillet, Campfire, or similar) and — when required, likely in 2027 — add an inventory management system
- Build automations and AI-native workflows into close, AP, AR, expense, and reporting — replacing manual process wherever possible and enabling more granular and accurate financial data for business decisions
- Be opinionated about which workflows belong in finance vs. the broader business, particularly in a fast-growing start-up context
Own the books, close, and controls
- Lead month-end close, financial reporting, audit, tax, and compliance
- Own AP, AR, payroll, GL, T&E with one direct report (initially)
- Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and audit-readiness across all accounting functions
Partner on the decisions, not just the reports
- Partner with the Head of Finance on the design of product- and customer-level cost accounting; own the implementation. Bring creative thinking to a hard problem — getting accurate product / customer economics without imposing on daily operations of the rest of the company. This reporting informs product investment decisions, pricing strategy, and sales / engineering strategy.
- Be a thought partner on reporting that reflects what the business is actually doing and that informs upcoming strategic and operational decisions
- Assist with investor communications and in translating finance for non-finance leaders
What we’re looking for
- CPA + bachelor's or higher in Accounting or Finance
- 8+ years of accounting experience, with some as a Controller
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting; Big 4 company audit experience
- Unwavering detail orientation. This role gets the books right first. Big-picture business sense is a real plus — and we hope you bring it — but it doesn't substitute for accuracy and rigor.
- Comfort building automations, ideally that incorporate AI — you don't wait for IT or vendors to ship the tools you need
- Demonstrated ability to master a new business-critical domain. This role spans specialized areas — modern ERPs, AI-first tooling, cost accounting, government compliance and, in the future, manufacturing — and no single candidate will have direct experience in all of them. We're looking for evidence you've learned a hard new domain quickly in service of a business objective.
- Startup pragmatism: gets the details right without imposing process on the rest of the business
- US Person; clearance eligible
Big plus (
- Led the migration of a foundational system (ERP, inventory management, billing, or similar) in a startup culture — migrating to a modern AI-first ERP is an additional plus
- Hands-on operator in a modern ERP (e.g., NetSuite, Sage Intacct, DualEntry, Rillet, Campfire) — experience in an AI-first system is a plus, but we really want to see that you know how to maximize the business value of the tools that you’re using
- Manufacturing / inventory accounting (we anticipate entering manufacturing in 2027)
- Cost accounting depth that enables you to creatively problem solve novel allocation questions (cost allocation, customer profitability, R&D economics)
- Government cost accounting familiarity, including an awareness of how to work with CAS / DCAA requirements
- Institutional investor relations / due diligence support
- Strong communication with non-finance partners (product, engineering, GTM)
Nice to have
- SaaS / software accounting experience
- GovTech / defense industry experience specifically
- Pre-IPO scale-up experience
Note to candidates: you'll either lead our QuickBooks → modern ERP migration, or land in a freshly-implemented new system — comfort building in a new ERP is essential either way.
What we offer
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Remote friendly with WeWork access
- Unlimited PTO, shared downtime during the federal holiday calendar, and company-wide off time at the end of each year
- 401(k) match
- Lifestyle & wellbeing stipends
- Salary top-up during military reserve duty
- Fully paid parental leave
- Child and pet care reimbursement during travel
We are committed to protecting the privacy of all applicants. Official emails from the company will come from an @vannevarlabs.com domain. Under no circumstances will a legitimate representative from our company contact you to request passwords, financial information, or other sensitive personal data. Please be vigilant of potential scams.
Skills Required
- CPA + bachelor's or higher in Accounting or Finance
- 8+ years of accounting experience, with some as a Controller
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting; Big 4 company audit experience
- Comfort building automations, ideally incorporating AI
- Demonstrated ability to master a new business-critical domain
- US Person; clearance eligible
What the Team is Saying
.jpg)
.jpg)
Vannevar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Healthcare Strength — Employer-verified health, dental, vision, and mental-health coverage are consistently listed, indicating comprehensive medical support. Additional wellness resources and stipends reinforce access to preventive and mental healthcare.
-
Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is highlighted alongside long-term ownership programs such as equity and an ESPP, signaling strong retirement and savings support. Public profiles characterize the match as generous, complementing core benefits.
-
Parental & Family Support — Fully paid parental leave, fertility and family-planning assistance, childcare benefits, and caregiving stipends during work travel indicate strong support for families. These offerings appear repeatedly across recent postings and benefit summaries.
Vannevar Insights
What We Do
Vannevar combines Silicon Valley innovation with former special operators to build AI for real-world national security outcomes. Since our founding in 2019, Vannevar has deployed its technology across 125 missions, safeguarding our service members and improving our country's deterrence. We believe our military service members and intelligence officers deserve access to the best technology American innovation can offer, and we are mobilizing frontier technology for this mission. Our founders have 30 years of combined experience across AI labs, national security strategy, intelligence agencies and special operations. We're supported by a number of leading VCs, including Felicis, DFJ Growth, Point72, Costanoa, and General Catalyst. Vannevar is one of the most capital efficient defense tech companies, reaching early profitability and becoming a defense tech unicorn in 2024.
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on being a team of passionate, low-ego professionals who share a commitment to engineering excellence and a genuine concern for the people and AI agents we deliver. Vannevar is a company that truly cares about its people and one of our core principles is "put your wellbeing first".
Gallery
Vannevar Offices
Remote Workspace
Employees work remotely.
We are distributed across the map, but united by the mission. We go where the mission takes us and deliver where others can’t. Honolulu, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C., New York. You decide what's next.
