Accountant, Launch

About the Role

SpaceX seeks a skilled Accountant for our Launch team in Hawthorne, CA, to manage financial operations supporting revolutionary space missions. This position demands precision in financial management to support the high-stakes world of rocket launches, ensuring every dollar propels us closer to Mars. You'll be at the heart of operations where financial integrity directly impacts launch schedules, cost efficiencies, and mission success, collaborating with engineering and operations teams to drive innovation without compromise.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and analyze budgets for rocket development and launches, tracking variances and forecasting expenditures.
• Reconcile accounts payable and receivable weekly, process invoices from vendors supplying critical components, and generate reports on cost per launch metrics.
• Perform monthly closes involving journal entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring compliance with GAAP and internal controls.
• Collaborate with launch operations, procurement, and engineering teams to review expense allocations, audit travel and expense reports from field teams, and support ad-hoc analyses for launch anomaly investigations.
• Assist in preparing financial models for new launch vehicle proposals and monitor cash flow for payload integrations.
• Contribute to quarterly financial reviews with leadership and manage deliverables like KPI dashboards on launch cost savings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CPA certification or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience, ideally in aerospace, manufacturing, or high-tech industries with complex project costing.
• Proficiency in ERP systems like SAP or Oracle and advanced Excel for financial modeling.
• Familiarity with cost accounting principles, government contract accounting, FAR regulations, and aerospace financial reporting.
• Strong analytical skills to handle large datasets from launch telemetry-integrated financials.

Skills

• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong communication skills to articulate financial insights to non-finance stakeholders.
• Problem-solving under pressure and adaptability to shifting launch priorities.
• Team collaboration and integrity in handling sensitive data.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is revolutionizing space technology with a mission to make humanity multi-planetary. Headquartered in Hawthorne, CA, our teams embody a culture of bold innovation, relentless execution, and first-principles thinking. We foster a flat structure where ideas from any level can launch rockets, with long hours balanced by profound purpose and camaraderie among top talent worldwide.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) matching and stock options in SpaceX equity.
• Generous PTO and flexible hours supporting mission needs.
• Onsite fitness centers and subsidized meals.
• Tuition reimbursement and unique opportunities like launch viewing.

Career Growth

Growth at SpaceX means rapid advancement through proven impact, from senior accountant to finance leadership roles overseeing billion-dollar programs. We invest in certifications, training, and cross-functional projects.

Geographic Reference: Hawthorne, CA