Project Controller – R&D Projects

ON.energy•Tysons, VA

About The Position

The Project Controller – R&D Projects is responsible for financial oversight of ON.energy’s research and development, product development, and pilot/prototype projects, from budgeting and forecasting through cost control, capitalization and expense treatment, and compliance. The role is a key liaison between Engineering/R&D, Project Management, Accounting, Tax and other departments, ensuring innovation spend is accurately tracked, reported and governed across the project lifecycle and leadership has clear visibility into the cost, status and return of the R&D portfolio.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a related field.
5–7 years of project-controls, cost-control or financial analysis experience supporting R&D, product development, engineering or technology projects.
Working knowledge of GAAP, including R&D cost treatment and capitalization.
Strong proficiency with NetSuite and advanced Excel.
Ability to work with engineers and technical teams, translate technical scope into financial plans, and communicate complex ideas simply.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects, drive proactive process improvements, and operate comfortably with ambiguity and changing scope.
Takes initiative and contributes actively to a fast-growing, results-driven team.

Nice To Haves

Experience in energy, BESS, manufacturing or EPC environments.
Familiarity with R&D tax credit documentation.
Procore and Power BI experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain budgets and forecasts for R&D projects and the overall R&D portfolio, covering labor, materials, prototypes, testing, certification and third-party engineering costs; manage cash flow projections.
Support stage-gate reviews with cost-to-complete, budget-versus-actual and business-case inputs; flag overruns and scope changes early and support decisions to continue, re-scope or stop projects.
Track project costs, analyze variances against budget, and support corrective action plans with project leads and engineering managers.
Ensure engineering and staff time is accurately charged to R&D projects, and reconcile time data in NetSuite and HiBob to support allocations and audit-ready documentation.
Partner with Accounting to determine proper treatment of R&D costs (expensed versus capitalized), including prototype, test equipment and pilot assets, in line with GAAP (ASC 730).
Maintain project-level cost documentation that supports R&D tax credit studies.
Review and approve purchase orders, invoices, and development, testing and supplier agreements for alignment with budget, milestones and proper cost allocation; track commitments and open POs.
Maintain R&D portfolio dashboards and prepare periodic financial reports for engineering, executive and finance leadership.
Assess financial impacts of technical changes, delays and scope changes, and integrate approved adjustments into forecasts.
Prepare project accruals and cost allocations, review R&D cost reports, and ensure accurate and timely month-end close inputs.
Ensure adherence to corporate, audit and accounting standards (SOX, GAAP) and maintain clear documentation of R&D project costs.
Build repeatable processes, templates and controls for R&D project cost tracking and reporting.

Benefits

Competitive salary and annual performance-based bonus eligibility (US-based roles).
Medical, dental and vision insurance (US-based roles).
401(k) with company match (US-based roles).
Paid time off and company holidays (US-based roles).
Competitive salary and annual performance bonus eligibility (Mexico-based roles).
Christmas Bonus (Aguinaldo): 30 days (Mexico-based roles).
Major medical expenses and life insurance (Mexico-based roles).
Paid time off and holidays per local policy (Mexico-based roles).
Professional development and growth opportunities (all roles).
Opportunity to grow with a mission-driven team shaping the future of clean energy (all roles).