Program Finance Manager (Hardware Programs)

AeroVironment•Princeton, CA

About The Position

The Program Finance Manager (Hardware Programs) provides strategic and operational financial support for program planning and financial operations, with an emphasis on sound financial plans, compliance, and controls. The role partners with Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, and Finance leadership to evaluate product profitability, manage budgets, analyze costs, and inform decisions throughout the product lifecycle. It provides financial guidance aligned with organizational goals and company policy, applying knowledge of hardware products, manufacturing economics, inventory, and cross-functional operations. The position supports a hardware product line through forecasting, variance reporting, budget and schedule preparation, cost control, proposal work, and financial analysis. It assesses the effects of product cost variances, supplier changes, and supply chain constraints on business plans, forecasts, margins, and program performance. The role also supports audits and compliance with internal procedures and government procurement regulations, including applicable financial policies and cost/schedule control requirements. It works on diverse issues requiring evaluation of multiple factors and advises subordinates in meeting schedules or resolving technical problems. The position requires a bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience; at least 10 years of relevant experience; and at least two years in a leadership role. U.S. citizenship is required, and the employee must hold or be capable of obtaining a U.S. Security Clearance. Occasional travel within the Continental U.S. may be required. The position requires access to information subject to ITAR and/or EAR requirements, and applicants will be asked to provide documentation verifying U.S. person status.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
At least 10 years of experience in relevant disciplines and at least two years in a leadership role.
Experience and knowledge in costing and pricing complex manufactured products and development contracts.
Experience with government cost accounting principles and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
Experience and knowledge of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Current expertise in MS Office Suite, especially MS Excel, including VLOOKUPs, conditional formatting, and pivot tables; Hyperion; an ERP system such as Oracle EBS; and ProPricer.
Demonstrated awareness of and interest in business operations, including the ability to help create business strategies and objectives.
Strong analytical, presentation, business writing, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with customers, program management teams, and senior management.
Ability to manage multiple critical projects simultaneously and work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Ability to think beyond the immediate situation, explore potential paths, and adapt decision-making to circumstances.
Ability to inspire, motivate, and empower people to deliver organizational goals while providing value to employees.
Ability to bring organizational values to life, create a shared vision, and champion change and adaptation while helping others manage its effects.
Ability to develop and maintain trusting, professional internal and external relationships.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Must presently hold or be capable of obtaining a U.S. Security Clearance.
Must provide documentation to verify U.S. person status for compliance with ITAR and/or EAR requirements.
Ability to work in an office environment.
Ability to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting a hardware, aerospace, defense, industrial, electronics, or manufacturing product line.
An advanced degree.
Knowledge of MS Project or Fast Track.

Responsibilities

Provide monthly forecasts and variance reports, and prepare monthly financial information for Senior Management reviews of the hardware product line.
Ensure compliance with internal procedures and government procurement regulations.
Monitor and ensure implementation of financial policies, including policies for revenue recognition, timekeeping, cost, inventory, and estimating-system compliance.
Provide day-to-day financial direction to product line management.
Support internal and external audits.
Review and challenge program Estimates at Complete (EACs) to ensure appropriate profit margins are recognized.
Identify, analyze, and monitor issues affecting profitability, growth, and productivity.
Oversee program cost-control activities, including participation in controlling costs and schedules on contracts requiring a validated cost/schedule control system.
Oversee preparation of program budgets and schedules and financial analyses, including funding profiles, sales outlooks, and variance analyses.
Support indirect department budgeting for assigned departments, including utilization reviews and detailed variance analysis.
Support proposal activity for new captures, including negotiations, and work with the home office proposal/costing team to develop compliant price and cost volumes.
Assist in developing detailed integrated master program schedules for on-contract work, internal research and development, and new captures.
Advise subordinates to help meet schedules and resolve technical problems.
Work with Cost Accounting to develop and maintain knowledge of Bills of Material (BOMs), product configuration, material content, quantities, and associated costs for financial analysis and product cost assessments.
Partner with subcontractors and Supply Chain to assess cost variances for key components and services, identify underlying drivers, and evaluate implications for product cost and profitability.
Translate product cost variances, supplier changes, and supply chain constraints into financial and business impacts, including implications for plans, forecasts, margins, and program performance.
Make business-impact assessments and recommendations when complete or reliable information is unavailable, using financial judgment, available data, and operational and commercial considerations.
Perform other duties as assigned.