Lead Program Finance Analyst

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:

We’re looking for a highly motivated Lead Program Financial Analyst to join our growing Hivemind Program Finance organization. This is a high-impact leadership role supporting one of the company's largest and most strategic programs, where you'll influence financial strategy, enable informed decision-making, and help define the future of Program Finance.

As the lead finance partner for a strategic program, you'll partner across cross-functional teams and executive leadership to drive financial performance, improve program execution, and deliver actionable business insights. Beyond supporting program financial performance, you'll help mature the Program Finance organization by developing scalable processes, building reporting tools and dashboards, mentoring team members, and championing industry best practices.

The ideal candidate is an analytical problem solver with strong business acumen who enjoys building processes from the ground up, improving how teams operate, and mentoring others in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

What you'll do:

• Serve as the lead finance partner supporting a strategic program throughout its lifecycle.

• Partner cross-functionally with Program Management, Engineering, Contracts, and other stakeholders to support financial execution and business decision-making.

• Lead program forecasting, Estimate at Completion (EAC), financial planning, and variance analysis while identifying risks and opportunities.

• Develop financial models, dashboards, and reporting tools that improve visibility into program performance and support data-driven decisions.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the Hivemind Program Finance organization by standardizing processes, improving reporting, and implementing scalable financial tools.

• Introduce and implement industry best practices to improve program financial management and organizational effectiveness.

• Mentor junior Program Finance team members by providing technical guidance, coaching, and support for their professional development.

• Partner with finance leadership on strategic initiatives, process transformations, and special projects that strengthen the Program Finance function.

• Prepare executive-level reporting and communicate financial performance, risks, and recommendations to program and business leadership.

• Support program startup activities, contract execution, and financial planning for new program efforts as needed.

Required qualifications:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance. (Note: eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.)

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or a related field.

• 7+ years of progressive finance experience at a U.S. government contractor in Program Finance, Project Finance, FP&A, or a related financial role.

• Experience supporting complex government contracts and understanding contract structures such as FFP, CPFF, T&M, and Cost Reimbursable.

• Demonstrated experience leading Estimate at Completion (EAC) processes, forecasting, and financial planning.

• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience developing financial reporting solutions.

• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and communicate effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.

• Proven ability to improve financial processes and drive operational excellence in a dynamic environment.

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, or other complex technology development programs.

• Experience designing financial reporting solutions, dashboards, or process automation.

• Knowledge of FAR, CAS, and revenue recognition principles.

Preferred qualifications:

• MBA or Master’s degree in a related discipline

• Candidates with an active Secret or Top Secret clearance (or eligible for reinstatement) are preferred.

• Exposure to Microsoft Fabric, Power Query, DAX, or other data transformation and modeling tools

• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Costpoint) and planning tools (e.g., Vena, Anaplan)

• Experience mentoring or developing junior finance professionals.

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Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.