Business Unit Controller, PDT

Ametek, Inc. • Goleta, CA

9d

About The Position

The Business Unit Controller serves as the senior financial leader for Pacific Design Technologies (PDT) and a key strategic business partner to the Business Manager and leadership team. The role oversees all site financial management activities in support of complex Aerospace and Defense programs, operating in a decentralized, highly autonomous environment.

This executive finance position requires expertise in standard costing, program profitability, operational finance, and disciplined execution. The Controller provides actionable financial insights to support strategic decisions, operational improvements, profitability growth, and cash flow optimization. The role is high visibility, succession oriented, and includes frequent exposure to Division and Corporate leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• At least 7 years of progressive financial leadership within manufacturing, with strong exposure to standard costing and operational finance.
• Prior experience as a Business Controller, Plant Controller, or senior FP&A leader.
• Demonstrated success operating in a decentralized, high-accountability business model.
• Strong understanding of inventory, absorption, cost accounting, and working capital management.
• Advanced financial modeling and analytical capability.
• Ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-making, work quality, and cost reduction; identify appropriate use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs.
• Legal right to work in the United States and legal authorization to access export-controlled information and source code.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Aerospace & Defense, including understanding of DoD cost structures and compliance requirements.
• Multi-site manufacturing experience within a public company environment.
• Exposure to M&A, integration, or divestiture activities.
• CPA or Master’s degree.
• Expertise with Oracle ERP, Hyperion/HFM, and data visualization tools such as Power BI.
• Strong executive communication skills and comfort presenting to Division and Corporate leadership.
• Experience supporting DoD-related cost-plus, T&M, and fixed-price defense programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to the Business Manager and leadership team.
• Shape strategic decisions with financial insight into pricing, margin structure, product mix, capacity, Make/Buy decisions, and capital deployment.
• Support new program development and long-cycle Defense initiatives through ROI modeling, risk analysis, and scenario planning.
• Lead the annual operating plan, monthly forecasts, strategic planning, and long-range financial planning.
• Conduct monthly operating reviews covering sales, margins, overhead performance, absorption, and cash generation.
• Identify risks, opportunities, and performance gaps and drive corrective action with cross-functional teams.
• Own standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and cost accounting.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to improve productivity, yield, throughput, and material efficiency.
• Lead working capital performance, including inventory optimization, cycle-time improvement, and program costing accuracy.
• Support DoD-related contract structures, including cost-plus, T&M, and fixed-price defense programs.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial close, internal reporting, balance sheet integrity, and revenue recognition.
• Maintain compliance with US GAAP, SOX 404, AMETEK financial policies, and Defense-related financial standards.
• Lead audit preparation, remediation, and continuous improvement of financial processes.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance organization.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, operational engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a senior member of the leadership team, influencing strategy and organizational development.

Benefits

• Growth role within AMETEK’s largest A&D business, with visibility and influence.
• Empowerment to run the business within AMETEK’s decentralized, entrepreneurial culture.
• Opportunity to work with complex, engineered-to-order products.
• Close partnership with Operations, Engineering, and Business Development on mission-critical programs.
• Career growth potential into broader Division or Corporate finance leadership roles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior