Financial Controller

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions · Auburn Hills, MI · 1 wk ago

On-siteAccountingFull-time

General Job Summary

The Financial Controller serves as the senior financial authority and control owner for Technical Directions Inc., responsible for full-spectrum financial governance across Programs, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing. This role owns financial integrity, compliance, reporting accuracy, internal controls, margin protection, cash discipline, and enterprise financial risk management. The Financial Controller ensures that all financial activity within TDI is accurate, compliant, controlled, and strategically aligned to revenue, EBIT, and long-term growth objectives. Reporting directly to the GM / SVP, the Financial Controller provides independent financial leadership and enterprise-level governance, while maintaining a strong dotted-line integration with the Lead PMO to ensure disciplined program cost control and execution visibility.

Essential Job Functions

Enterprise Financial Governance & Control

Serve as the financial authority for TDIOwn internal controls, financial governance, and policy enforcement
Establish financial standards across all functional areas
Protect margin, cash flow, and capital efficiency
Identify enterprise-level financial risk and mitigation strategies

Financial Reporting & Close Management

Own monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting
Oversee revenue recognition and cost allocation accuracy
Validate labor rates, overhead rates, burden application, and cost pools
Ensure financial statements are audit-ready and GAAP compliant
Lead financial close cadence and reporting discipline

Program & Operational Financial Control

Govern Estimate-at-Completion (EAC) and margin tracking
Aprove program cost baselines and financial assumptions
Validate financial impact of ECR/ECO and scope changes
Partner with Operations on throughput, scrap, OEE, labor efficiency
Validate cost rollups, BOM cost accuracy, and routing cost integrity

Budgeting, Forecasting & Capital Governance

Own Annual Operating Plan (AOP) financial structure
Lead rolling forecast discipline and variance governance
Approve capital expenditure requests and ROI analysis
Monitor working capital, cash flow, and inventory exposure
ERP & Financial Systems Ownership

Own financial integrity within Costpoint (ERP)
Ensure system controls prevent unauthorized or misaligned financial entries
Validate integration across ERP, PLM, MES, QMS, and dashboards
Maintain segregation of duties and compliance discipline

Audit, Compliance & Regulatory Controls

Lead internal and external financial audits
Ensure compliance with GAAP, corporate finance policy, ITAR, DFARS, and contract clauses
Oversee financial data governance and access controls
Serve as audit liaison for corporate and government stakeholders

Executive Advisory & Strategic Finance

Provide financial insight to GM / SVP on strategic decisions
Support pricing, make-buy analysis, supplier financial risk review
Provide margin improvement recommendations
Support enterprise growth and investment decisions

Supervisory Responsibility

May supervise financial support staff (future state)Owns financial authority across TDIExercises approval authority over financial controls, structures, and reporting

Experience and Skills

Strong expertise in cost accounting, financial control, and governance
Deep understanding of manufacturing and engineering cost structures
ERP expertise (Costpoint strongly preferred)
GAAP and internal controls knowledge
Ability to operate independently as enterprise financial authority
Strong executive communication capability
Demonstrated ability to learn new regulatory frameworks through self-directed research (regulations, agency guidance, peer benchmarking) with limited formal mentorship

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Preferred EVMS familiarity
CPA or CMA preferred

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related discipline
8+ years of progressive financial responsibility
Demonstrated experience leading financial control in a manufacturing environment
Experience with long-cycle program-based EAC/ETC forecasting
Experience preparing or directly supporting an Incurred Cost Submission
Familiarity with CAS Disclosure Statement requirements and indirect rate structures

Preferred Experience

Experience in high-mix, low-volume production environments
Experience supporting DCMA audits and government programs
Aerospace / Defense experience
Experience operating as a divisional/subsidiary controller reporting financials to a publicly traded parent, including SOX-aligned controls and consolidated close requirements

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Office-based with extensive cross-functional engagement across operations
Frequent interaction with Program, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods
Occasional presence on production floor to validate financial alignment with operations

Travel Requirements

Minimal to moderate (0–20%) depending on program reviews, audits, or corporate engagement

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED. A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES. EEO/M/F/D/V Job Benefits Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance CoverageLife/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance401(k) Savings PlanEmployee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)Paid Time-Off (PTO)HolidaysEducation Reimbursement Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. EEO Is The Law Disability Accessibility Accommodation If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded. Pay Transparency The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Job Applicant Privacy Notice For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.