Controller

About the role

Star Catcher is powering the future of space by building the world’s first orbital energy grid: the Star Catcher Network. Spacecraft connect into the Star Catcher Network and receive conditioned energy via their existing solar arrays, requiring no retrofit to utilize the first true space-based infrastructure. The role bridges technical operations and corporate finance, transforming complex manufacturing, procurement, and capital expenditure activities into structured financial records and insights.

Working closely with executive leadership, you will oversee general ledger management, cost accounting, tax compliance, and external audits. You will establish the internal controls, reporting routines, and ERP infrastructure that ensure financial transparency, capital efficiency, and regulatory compliance across all departments.

Responsibilities

• Financial Operations, Closing & Systems
  • Core Accounting Ownership: Lead and manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close processes, ensuring general ledger integrity, revenue recognition, and GAAP compliance.
  • Cost Accounting & Hardware Tracking: Implement and refine robust job-costing and inventory accounting models capable of tracking complex R&D, payload assembly, solar-array manufacturing, supply chain, and launch service commitments.
  • ERP Implementation & Optimization: Oversee the migration, scaling, and daily operations of modern ERP and financial systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, or similar) integrated with inventory, procurement, and HRIS platforms.
  • Treasury & Cash Management: Manage daily cash flow, working capital, vendor payments, and banking relationships to optimize liquidity and capital efficiency across long lead-time aerospace hardware cycles.
• Audit, Tax & Government Contracting Compliance
  • Government Compliance (FAR/DFARS): Establish and maintain accounting policies that comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements for federal contracts and grants.
  • Audit Readiness: Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, managing annual financial statement audits, DCAA/DCMA government audits, and tax filings with zero material weaknesses.
  • Export & Security Oversight: Partner with Legal and Compliance to enforce strict controls surrounding ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and EAR (Export Administration Regulations) within financial transactions and vendor networks.
  • Tax & Statutory Reporting: Oversee local, state, federal, and international tax compliance, including R&D tax credit studies to maximize cash recovery on engineering innovations.
• Financial Leadership & Team Development
  • Internal Controls & Risk Management: Design, implement, and maintain rigorous internal financial controls, approval matrices, and fraud-prevention frameworks across all departments.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a trusted financial advisor to VP of Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams—demystifying budget metrics and driving a culture of fiscal responsibility among technical teams.
  • Team Scaling: Hire, mentor, and build an exceptional accounting team (Senior Accountants, AP/AR, Payroll, and Cost Accounting specialists) as Star Catcher scales towards full operational deployment.

Requirements

• Experience: 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3+ years as an Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or Controller within the aerospace, defense, deep-tech, hardware manufacturing, or complex technology sectors.
• Technical Credentials: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is required. Active proficiency in US GAAP, inventory accounting, and specialized hardware/R&D cost accounting.
• Regulatory Expertise: Working knowledge of US government contracting accounting standards (FAR/DFARS), government billing, and audit prep (DCAA).
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business discipline.
• Systems Proficiency: Hands-on experience implementing or managing enterprise-grade ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, ERPAG) tailored for manufacturing/inventory tracking.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience navigating the financial and inventory complexities of the commercial space sector, defense contracting, or high-capital hardware manufacturing.
• Public accounting background (Big 4 or regional equivalent) combined with hands-on startup / high-growth corporate experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build financial operations from scratch in a fast-paced environment where hardware timelines and engineering requirements evolve rapidly.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Additional benefits

Star Catcher is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All offers of employment are contingent upon results of a thorough background check and proof of eligibility to work in the US. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.