Controller

JetZero is seeking a Controller to join the team and own the accounting function end-to-end. This role will focus on building the team, streamlining the close process, and preparing the company for the rigor of public-company reporting. This role will report to the CFO and serve as the technical accounting backbone of a hardware-intensive, dual use aerospace company scaling toward full-scope airplane OEM with the path towards public offering. If you want to build something from the ground up in a category-defining company, this is the role.

What You’ll Do:

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Own and manage GAAP-compliant month-end close, driving cycle time toward a 15-day target within the first year.
• Ensure complex accounting issues are identified and addressed on a monthly basis
• Translate technical accounting findings into clear, actionable language for executive leadership.

Audit & Compliance

• Lead the relationship with external auditors and manage completion of the annual financial audit.
• Present audit findings and remediation plans to internal executive leadership.
• Build and maintain documentation, internal controls, and reporting frameworks consistent with public-company requirements.

Operations & Process Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvements across the accounting function — there is significant greenfield opportunity here.
• Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable to ensure timely incoming and outgoing payments.
• ·Oversee cost accounting for physical product manufacturing, including defense contract compliance.
• Manage multi-currency consolidation across international entities.
• Partner with executive leadership on tax incentive management and related reporting.

Team Building

• Hire, develop, and lead an accounting team able to support public company-level requirements into the future.
• Establish scalable workflows and clear ownership as the function grows in complexity and headcount.

 Who You Are:

• A technically deep, hands-on accounting leader who thrives in ambiguity and is energized by building a function
• Comfortable operating without a playbook. Able to drive opportunities for improvement into action plans and implement them.
• Comfortable within a dynamic start-up environment where priorities are dynamically and constantly adjusted, while being able to maintain rigor required of the accounting and controlling function.
• A clear communicator who can translate complex accounting into language that lands with operators and executives alike.
• Naturally curious and detail-oriented, with a sharp eye for inconsistencies and a process-minded approach to solving them.
• Excited by the intersection of hard tech, aerospace, and defense — and motivated by the mission, not just the role.

What You Bring:

• CPA (active)
• 8+ yearsof progressive accounting leadership experience, including time in a startup, manufacturing or hardware environment
• Public accounting background, big 4 firm a significant plus
• Demonstrated experience building and leading an accounting team
• Cost accounting expertise for manufactured products
• Defense contracting accounting knowledge (FAR/DFARS compliance)
• IPO readiness experience — preparation of SEC-required documentation and public-company reporting
• Multi-currency consolidation across international subsidiaries
• Hands-on experience managing external audit

Preferred Skills

• Experience scaling a company from growth stage through IPO
• Familiarity with government tax incentive programs (R&D credits, CHIPS Act, etc.)
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving, resource-constrained startup environment
• Leading edge knowledge of AI integration into accounting / finance functions – a significant plus

Compensation:

Our compensation package is a blend of base salary and equity options for eligible employees. The base salary is one part of a broader compensation package and is determined within a set range. These ranges are based on market benchmarks for each role, level, and location.

The expected salary range for this position is between $220,000 and $250,000.

 Benefits:

• Unlimited PTO 
• 10 paid holidays 
• 401(k) 
• Medical, Dental, Life insurance 
• Disability Insurance 
• Life Insurance 
• Equity tax advisory services 
• Supportive work culture