TRL11 is seeking a hands-on Head of Finance to lead and build our finance function through the company’s next stage of growth.
TRL11 has established core financial operations, including bookkeeping support, financial reporting, and a long-range financial model. This person will become our first dedicated internal finance leader, taking ownership of day-to-day execution while building the systems, controls, and processes needed to support a scaling aerospace technology company.
The role spans the full finance lifecycle—from invoice processing, cash management, and financial close to budgeting, ERP implementation, government accounting readiness, and fundraising support. The Head of Finance will initially operate as a highly capable individual contributor and will develop the organization, systems, and team as the company grows.
Key Responsibilities- Own financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, cash management, expense administration, and close activities.
- Manage external bookkeeping, tax, audit, banking, insurance, and accounting resources.
- Deliver accurate financial reporting, forecasts, cash planning, and decision support to leadership and the Board.
- Design and implement company-wide budgeting, budget-to-actual reporting, and variance analysis.
- Maintain and improve the company’s financial model, including revenue, hiring, operating expense, capital, and runway forecasts.
- Establish practical internal controls, approval workflows, reconciliations, and documented finance procedures.
- Serve as the finance lead for ERP implementation, including inventory, manufacturing, procurement, project accounting, billing, and reporting requirements.
- Develop a roadmap for government accounting readiness, including timekeeping, cost allocation, indirect rates, project costing, contract billing, and audit support.
- Support fundraising, lender and investor diligence, data-room preparation, financial presentations, and strategic analysis.
- Provide financial input on pricing, customer contracts, payment terms, capital investments, and major vendor commitments.
- Build a scalable finance organization using the appropriate combination of internal hires, systems, and external specialists.
Requirements
Basic
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field.
- At least 7 years of progressive finance, accounting, or FP&A experience.
- Experience owning a broad finance scope in a startup, growth-stage company, small business, or similarly hands-on environment.
- Strong knowledge of financial statements, accrual accounting, cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
- Demonstrated experience building or improving financial processes and reporting systems.
- Experience managing external accounting and financial service providers.
- Experience supporting an ERP or accounting-system implementation.
- Strong financial modeling, spreadsheet, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to move comfortably between strategic analysis and detailed execution.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and careful handling of confidential information.
Preferred
- CPA, CMA, MBA, or another relevant advanced qualification.
- Experience as an early or first finance hire at a rapidly growing company.
- Aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, hardware, or government contracting experience.
- Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, DCAA expectations, indirect rates, timekeeping, cost allocation, and contract billing.
- Experience with inventory, manufacturing, project, or contract accounting.
- Experience supporting institutional fundraising, Board reporting, audits, or lender diligence.
- Experience building and scaling a finance team.
Benefits
- Fast paced, energetic startup culture, where you'll learn a lot, have great impact, and have fun doing it
- 401k, Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (with prior approval), for Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays
- Possible Stock Option Plan participation, based on performance and tenure
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field.
- At least 7 years of progressive finance, accounting, or FP&A experience.
- Experience owning a broad finance scope in a startup, growth-stage company, small business, or similarly hands-on environment.
- Strong knowledge of financial statements, accrual accounting, cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
- Demonstrated experience building or improving financial processes and reporting systems.
- Experience managing external accounting and financial service providers.
- Experience supporting an ERP or accounting-system implementation.
- Strong financial modeling, spreadsheet, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to move comfortably between strategic analysis and detailed execution.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and careful handling of confidential information.
- CPA, CMA, MBA, or another relevant advanced qualification.
- Experience as an early or first finance hire at a rapidly growing company.
- Aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, hardware, or government contracting experience.
- Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, DCAA expectations, indirect rates, timekeeping, cost allocation, and contract billing.
- Experience with inventory, manufacturing, project, or contract accounting.
- Experience supporting institutional fundraising, Board reporting, audits, or lender diligence.
- Experience building and scaling a finance team.
What We Do
TRL11 is a venture-backed aerospace and defense technology company based in Irvine, California. They specialize in developing advanced, space-rated imaging and full-motion video solutions, including cameras and edge processing hardware. Their mission is to bring cutting-edge video technology from the media and entertainment industry into the space economy to support applications such as mission assurance, space domain awareness, and proximity operations for satellites and space stations.
