Controller

NODA AI•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors. Our finance and accounting function is the backbone that makes NODA fundable, auditable, and operable as a federal contractor. The Controller owns the books, the close, and the compliance posture that allow the rest of the company to move fast on the technical mission. Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration. We are seeking a Controller to build and lead NODA’s accounting and financial operations function from the ground up. This is a 0-to-1 role: you will own the general ledger, the close, the audit, the indirect rate structure, and the systems that make a defense technology company financially scalable from Series A through Series B and beyond. You will work directly with the founding team and finance leadership to stand up the infrastructure required to operate as a federal contractor — DCAA-compliant accounting, FAR-aligned indirect rate pools, audit-ready records, and the billing and reporting rhythm that government contracts demand. This role is for someone who has done the work inside a Big 4 audit practice, knows what “good” looks like in defense accounting, and is ready to build it from scratch in a venture-backed environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
Active CPA license
7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including a foundation in Big 4 audit
Direct experience with government contract accounting, including DCAA-compliant systems, indirect rate development, and incurred cost submissions
Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and CAS
Experience owning month-end close and producing GAAP financial statements
Proficiency with modern accounting and ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, Unanet, Deltek Costpoint, or comparable)
Strong Excel modeling and analytical skills
U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

Big 4 audit experience with a defense, aerospace, or government contracting client portfolio
Prior Controller or Assistant Controller experience at a venture-backed defense technology company
Hands-on experience standing up a DCAA-compliant accounting system from scratch
Experience supporting a Series B or later equity financing, including audit readiness and investor diligence
Familiarity with OTA, SBIR, IDIQ, and hybrid prototype-to-production contract structures
Experience with revenue recognition under ASC 606 in a mixed commercial and government environment
Prior military, government, or defense industry experience
Existing security clearance

Responsibilities

Own day-to-day accounting operations including general ledger, AP, AR, payroll integration, and month-end close
Build and maintain the chart of accounts, indirect cost pools, and cost structure required for government contracting
Establish close calendars, reconciliation procedures, and accounting policies that scale with the business
Manage external relationships with auditors, tax preparers, banking partners, and outsourced accounting providers as the function transitions in-house
Stand up and maintain a DCAA-compliant accounting system, including timekeeping, labor distribution, and indirect cost allocation
Develop and submit provisional billing rates, incurred cost submissions (ICE), and forward pricing rate proposals as required
Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and CAS as applicable to NODA’s contract portfolio
Support pre-award accounting system reviews, DCAA audits, and contract-specific compliance requirements
Partner with contracts and program teams on contract setup, billing, and revenue recognition across cost-reimbursable, fixed-price, OTA, and SBIR vehicles
Produce timely, accurate monthly and quarterly financial statements for management and board reporting
Lead preparation for the company’s first external audit and own audit readiness as the company scales toward Series B
Establish revenue recognition policies aligned with ASC 606 across prototype, production, and government contract revenue
Implement internal controls appropriate to company stage, with a clear roadmap toward public-company readiness
Select, implement, and administer the accounting, billing, expense, and payroll systems that will carry NODA from early stage through scale
Build the integrations and reporting layer that connect financial systems to project accounting, contracts, and operations
Establish documentation, SOPs, and training for finance processes as the team grows