Controller - Defense

Ascent Aerospace•Santa Ana, CA

5d•$130,000 - $170,000

About The Position

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base. SUMMARY OF POSITION The Defense Controller is responsible for leading the financial, compliance, and program control activities for the company’s defense portfolio. This role serves as the internal expert on FAR/DFARS, defense rates and allocations, disclosure statements, and related financial compliance requirements, while also acting as the primary finance partner for defense program execution, quoting, and business growth. The ideal candidate will oversee defense project setup and compliance within the ERP system, support pricing and proposal activity, and provide end-to-end financial control of defense programs including invoicing, forecasting, cost control, variance analysis, revenue recognition, and profitability tracking. This position requires a strong, independent leader who can work cross-functionally, improve processes, and provide disciplined financial oversight in a regulated aerospace and defense environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
5–10+ years of experience in project controlling, program finance, project accounting, FP&A, operational finance, or contract/project controls in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or other complex project-based environments.
Demonstrated experience supporting large, complex projects or portfolios with responsibility for forecasting, margin analysis, revenue recognition, cash flow, and financial controls.
Strong understanding of project financial management, including cost-to-complete, estimate-at-completion, variance analysis, and profitability tracking.
Support compliance with applicable FAR/DFARS requirements across defense programs, including subcontract flowdowns, supplier terms alignment, and coordination of documentation tied to customer, and controlled-information obligations.
Experience with US GAAP revenue and cost recognition principles.
Working knowledge of Earned Value Management and project performance measurement.
Strong ERP and systems experience, preferably SAP, along with advanced Excel and financial reporting skills.
Ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and drive results with minimal day-to-day direction.
Strong communication, leadership, and cross-functional influencing skills.
Must possess Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance and Program Clearance and maintain clearance(s) for the duration of employment
This position must meet Export Control Compliance requirements, therefore a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22.C.F.R. is required. For further details as to how a “U.S. Person” is determined, please see SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS below!

Nice To Haves

CPA, CMA, MBA, or equivalent professional credentials are a plus.
Experience with Percentage of Completion (POC) or Contract Accounting.
Experience in an aerospace tooling, defense manufacturing, engineered-to-order, or capital equipment environment.
Familiarity with defense contracting milestone billing, claims/variation management, and complex customer contract structures.
Experience partnering closely with Project Management, Procurement, Engineering, and Operations teams.
Knowledge of internal control frameworks and audit-ready documentation practices.
None, supervisory experience is a plus for future segment growth

Responsibilities

Serve as the company’s internal FAR/DFARS subject matter expert for the defense business, providing guidance on compliance requirements, contract applicability, and financial implications.
Lead the development, maintenance, and oversight of defense rates, indirect allocations, disclosure statements, and allocation policies to support compliant and effective government contracting practices.
Act as the internal expert on FAR/DFARS compliance, ensuring financial, ERP and operational processes align with applicable requirements and internal control standards.
Support Sales and the VP of Defense Business Development with proposal pricing, quoting, rate reviews, financial modeling, and ad hoc analysis for new and existing defense opportunities.
Serve as the program / project controller for defense programs, including invoicing, cost control, forecasting, variance analysis, revenue tracking, and overall financial performance monitoring.
Manage the setup of new defense projects in the ERP system, ensuring project structures, billing terms, cost tracking, and reporting elements are established accurately and in compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
Lead financial oversight of the company’s defense book of business, including profitability, cash flow, backlog, project performance, and financial reporting.
Recommend and implement process improvements that strengthen defense program controls, compliance, and overall financial performance.
Any additional duties as reasonably assigned by management.