Assistant Controller

Karman Space & Defense; Wilsonville (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) match

Paid time off

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking an experienced accounting leader to oversee daily operations, ensure GAAP compliance, and drive accurate financial reporting in a fast-paced environment.

Based in Oregon, you will partner with executives to optimize cost tracking, budgeting, and tax strategies while mentoring the accounting team and supporting contract administration from proposal through CDLR submissions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience in a corporate environment.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders and support business value in a fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily accounting operations and ensures adherence to company policies and U.S. GAAP.
• Leads the month‑end close process and supports accurate revenue recognition.
• Improves accounting efficiency by streamlining processes, enhancing internal controls, and optimizing system usage.
• Supports financial and tax strategies and prepares monthly use tax filings.
• Manages cost accounting activities, including program cost tracking, budget analysis, profitability reporting, and review of high‑value purchase orders.
• Prepares and analyzes budgets, financial reports, and trends to support executive leadership and Board reporting.
• Oversees material and vendor selection and supports capital equipment purchasing.
• Supports the negotiation and administration of customer contracts from proposal development through CDLR submissions.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to accounting team members to support skill development and growth.

Skills

Stakeholder communication

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or related field

Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Space and Launch business, which has contributed to the nation’s space programs for decades by delivering complete solutions from concept to flight. We enable successful space operations with mission-critical technology supporting every step from first launch to final landing, including launch vehicle subsystems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic and interstage systems, and payload protection and deployment. Our high-performance solutions are engineered to operate in the most extreme environments and meet precise mission requirements.

In this role, you will lead core accounting operations that strengthen financial accuracy and support informed decision-making across the company. You will oversee daily accounting activities, cost accounting, tax filings, reporting, and process improvements that enhance operational efficiency. Partnering with executives and functional leaders, you will provide critical financial insights, ensure compliance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and guide team development within the accounting function.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily accounting operations and ensures adherence to company policies and U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Leads the month‑end close process and supports accurate revenue recognition.
• Improves accounting efficiency by streamlining processes, enhancing internal controls, and optimizing system usage.
• Supports financial and tax strategies and prepares monthly use tax filings.
• Manages cost accounting activities, including program cost tracking, budget analysis, profitability reporting, and review of high‑value purchase orders.
• Prepares and analyzes budgets, financial reports, and trends to support executive leadership and Board of Directors reporting.
• Oversees material and vendor selection and supports capital equipment purchasing.
• Supports the negotiation and administration of customer contracts from proposal development through Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) submissions.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to accounting team members to support skill development and growth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience in a corporate environment.
• Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders and support business value in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD\&D insurance
• Short‑and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.