Finance Lead

Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and 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

There's a version of a finance career where the systems are already built, the playbook is written, and your job is to execute. It's stable. It's predictable. And for the right person at the right time, it's exactly what they need.

This isn't that role.

We're looking for someone ready to trade the comfort of the established for the ownership of the unknown. You'll be the person who builds the infrastructure, writes the playbook, and grows with the company they helped shape. As our first dedicated finance hire, you'll wear multiple hats and set the foundation for everything that comes after.

You'll also get a front-row seat to the strategic side of the business, including supporting fundraising activities. If you've built a strong technical foundation in accounting and are ready to expand your perspective beyond the close, this is a rare chance to do exactly that.

What You’ll Do

• Own the full accounting cycle: month-end/year-end close, AP/AR, cash management, and financial reporting
• Lead the selection, implementation, and configuration of our ERP (NetSuite preferred) to support current operations and future manufacturing needs
• Build and maintain accounting policies, internal controls, and scalable processes from the ground up
• Prepare financial statements, variance analyses, management reports, budgets, and forecasts for leadership and board reporting
• Design and implement cost accounting systems for hardware manufacturing—including inventory, WIP, and COGS tracking
• Partner with operations, engineering, and supply chain as a trusted financial advisor on key business decisions
• Support fundraising efforts, manage audit relationships, and ensure GAAP and regulatory compliance

What We’re Looking For

Required

• 5+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Direct experience in hardware manufacturing, R&D, or inventory-intensive businesses
• Proven track record managing full-cycle accounting independently
• ERP implementation or configuration experience (NetSuite strongly preferred)
• Strong GAAP knowledge and understanding of internal controls
• Startup mentality: resourceful, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity

Strongly Preferred

• CPA certification (or actively pursuing)
• Aerospace, automotive, or defense industry experience
• Exposure to Series A/B stage startups or high-growth environments
• Cost accounting, inventory management, and bill-of-materials experience
• Familiarity with government contracting or project/job-cost accounting

Nice to Have

• Experience supporting audits or implementing SOX controls
• Knowledge of revenue recognition standards (ASC 606)
• SQL or data analytics skills
• Prior experience building a finance function from scratch

Who You Are

• A Builder — You’re energized by creating systems and processes where none exist
• Detail-Obsessed — Numbers need to tie out, reconciliations need to balance, and you won’t sleep until they do
• Business-Minded — You understand that accounting serves the business, not the other way around
• Pragmatic — You know when “good enough for now” beats “perfect in six months”
• Communicative — You can translate financial concepts for non-finance teammates
• Self-Directed — You don’t wait to be told what needs doing; you identify gaps and fill them

What we Offer: 

• Meaningful equity stake in a high-growth defense technology company 
• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience 
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401k
• PTO and Paid Sick Time
• Monthly Wellness Stipend
• Daily catered lunch to office
• Paid Parental leave
• Direct impact opportunity - be a key leader in building a critical technology for national security
• World-class team - work alongside exceptional engineers and operators solving hard problems
• Relocation benefit; bonus and pay bump

Compensation Range:

• $130,000- $210,000 + Equity 
• We offer a flexible hybrid arrangement during your first year, with the expectation of relocating to within commuting distance of our Oxnard, CA office by months 10-12, with expenses covered and a pay bump. Travel to the office will be required as needed, with frequency increasing as projects move into testing and production.