Finance Director

Qolab is a superconducting quantum hardware company building the manufacturing and systems foundation to scale quantum computing from laboratory devices to utility-scale systems. Founded in 2022, the company is focused on reproducible qubit fabrication and hardware integration at semiconductor manufacturing standards. In 2025, Qolab launched Qolab Start, its first deployable superconducting QPU platform.

Qolab's technology centers on two core innovations: a semiconductor-compatible window-junction fabrication process designed for 300 mm semiconductor tools, and a wafer-scale integration architecture that bonds qubit and wiring wafers into modular tiles with integrated cryogenic interconnects, filters, and amplifiers.

Qolab partners with leading semiconductor companies, government programs, and research institutions, including Applied Materials, DARPA, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Quantum Machines, Riverlane, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Western Digital, Synopsys, and KLA.

Qolab is led by researchers and engineers who have defined the trajectory of superconducting quantum computing over the last four decades. Our leadership is hands-on, working directly on the technology alongside our engineering team.

• Alan Ho (CEO | Co-founder): Former Head of Product at Google Quantum AI, where he led product efforts behind the quantum supremacy experiment.

• John Martinis (CTO | Co-founder): Distinguished physicist and 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics, recognized for pioneering superconducting qubits and advancing scalable quantum systems.

• Robert McDermott (Head of Hardware | Co-founder): UW–Madison professor and leading physicist advancing superconducting qubits, quantum measurement, and scalable quantum computing systems.

• Britton Plourde (Quantum Hardware Engineer): Renowned physicist recognized for pioneering qubit readout and control techniques and designing efficient quantum circuits.

As Qolab’s first internal finance hire, the Finance Director will own, build, and scale our finance and accounting operations as we enter a rapid growth phase. Reporting directly to the Head of Operations, you will transition Qolab from an outsourced accounting infrastructure into an agile, highly capable internal model.

This is a high-impact, hands-on operational leadership role. You will oversee FP&A, month-end, quarter-end, and annual financial reporting, government cost accounting (FAR/CAS compliance) supporting federal research initiatives, procurement policies, internal control frameworks, and financial contract negotiations. Additionally, you will drive the uplift of Qolab’s accounting infrastructure toward public company readiness (SOX baseline, ASC 606/ASC 842 compliance, and technical disclosures) as we achieve critical commercial and institutional milestones.

1. Financial Strategy, FP&A & Executive Reporting

• Develop and maintain our client’s multi-year integrated financial model, dynamic cash flow forecasts, and runway projections.

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual budgeting processes, establishing clear KPIs and variance analyses for executive leadership and department heads.

• Conduct scenario modeling for capital expenditures, fab/metrology tool acquisition, head-count scaling, and R&D program investments.

2. Accounting Operations & Public Readiness Uplift

• Manage the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes in partnership with SVFG.

• Prepare complete financial statement packages (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flows) under US GAAP.

• Lead the uplift of accounting policies, revenue recognition frameworks (ASC 606), lease accounting (ASC 842), and technical documentation to align with public company standards.

• Serve as primary point of contact for external audit firms, managing annual financial audits from preparation to final release.

3. Government Cost Accounting & Procurement

• Design, implement, and maintain government cost accounting mechanisms compliant with FAR/CAS requirements for federal grants, research contracts, and subcontracts.

• Manage indirect rate calculations, forward pricing rate proposals, cost-reimbursement tracking, and incurred cost claims.

• Establish scalable vendor approval matrices, procurement procedures, and purchase order systems tailored for high-cap-ex semiconductor fab operations.

• Review vendor, vendor-lease, and commercial contracts from a financial risk and cash-flow optimization perspective.

4. Internal Controls & Financial Governance

• Design and enforce robust internal control frameworks across accounts payable, payroll, expense management, fixed asset tracking, and cash disbursements.

• Ensure regulatory compliance, state and federal tax filings, R&D tax credit studies, and property tax compliance.

• Oversee equity administration (Carta) in coordination with legal counsel and executive leadership.

5. System Integration & Vendor Management

• Direct and optimize the day-to-day engagement with Silicon Valley Finance Group (SVFG), retaining ownership over controls while delegating routine bookkeeping tasks.

• Evaluate, upgrade, and implement modern corporate finance technology stacks (e.g., NetSuite, Ramp, Carta, QuickBooks) as the company scales.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of progressive finance and accounting leadership experience, preferably combining public accounting (Big 4 / regional) with high-growth hardware, semiconductor, deep-tech, or aerospace environments.

• Active CPA (Certified Public Accountant) required.

• BS in Finance or Accounting required; MBA or MS in Finance preferred.

• Proven track record as a first internal finance hire or builder, scaling accounting operations and migrating outsourced services to internal ownership.

• Direct experience leading annual financial audits and implementing SOX-compliant baseline controls.

• Demonstrated familiarity with government cost accounting standards (FAR/CAS), federal grant tracking, or defense/energy contract administration.

• Strong command of modern ERP systems (NetSuite or Sage Intacct), automated spend management tools (Ramp, Brex, Coupa), and equity administration platforms (Carta).

• Base Salary Range:

  • United States: $150,000 – $200,000 USD

  • Canada: $110,000 – $170,000 CAD

• Equity: Meaningful incentive stock option grants.

• Bonus: Discretionary annual performance bonus potential tied to company milestones and individual impact.

• Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance packages.

• Flexibility: Flexible hybrid work model.