Controller

ETI Tech, LLC; Kettering (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ETI Tech, LLC, based in Kettering, Ohio, seeks a hands-on Controller to lead transactional accounting and strategic financial support for a growth‑oriented aerospace manufacturing business.

You will own the close cycle, maintain internal controls, and partner with operations to optimize margins and performance while helping scale processes for rapid growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting is required.
• CPA or MBA preferred but not required.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of cost accounting, standard costing, inventory valuation, and WIP accounting.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Prepare and review P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Analyze financial performance and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Maintain GAAP compliance and internal controls.
• Liaise with external audit, tax, and banking relationships.
• Manage general ledger, AP, AR, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Ensure strong internal controls and process discipline.
• Oversee reconciliations and balance sheet integrity.
• Maintain inventory and cost accounting practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes and systems.
• Partner with plant leadership to drive operational and financial performance.
• Support standard costing, cycle counts, and physical inventories.
• Assist with cost reduction and productivity opportunities.
• Foster collaboration between finance and operations.

Skills

Hands-on financial management

Process improvement

Communication

Collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Job description

• Do you thrive in a hands‑on accounting and finance role where you can balance day‑to‑day accounting with strategic business priorities?
• Are you energized by partnering with operations to improve manufacturing performance, margins, and profitability?
• Do you enjoy building scalable processes and controls that can support an entrepreneurial company through rapid growth?

ABOUT THE COMPANY

ETI Tech (ETI), part of Simon Group Holdings (SGH), is a leading aerospace and defense solutions provider headquartered in Kettering, Ohio. With decades of experience supporting U.S. military programs, ETI designs, manufactures, and maintains critical flight hardware and ground support equipment for defense aircraft and systems. The company provides precision machining, fabrication, composites, electro‑mechanical assembly, and ground support equipment, supporting customers from prototype through full‑rate production.

As part of SGH, a private investment and holding company known for strategic growth across several industry sectors, ETI benefits from robust financial backing, operational resources, and access to an experienced network of industry leaders. This relationship allows ETI to innovate, expand capabilities, and deliver mission‑critical solutions to government and prime defense contractors, all while maintaining a strong culture of craftsmanship, quality, and continuous improvement.

Trusted by leading defense primes and the U.S. Department of Defense, ETI is known for its AS9100‑certified quality systems, disciplined manufacturing processes, and deep experience operating in regulated, compliance‑driven environments. The company combines a legacy of reliability with a forward‑looking focus on scalable growth, operational excellence, and long‑term partnership.

This position is at the corporate office in Kettering, Ohio and onsite. They work 80 hours over nine days and receive every 10th workday off, providing a day off every other week.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Controller will serve as the second‑in‑command within the finance function and play a key role in both transactional accounting and strategic financial support. This hands‑on leader will ensure the integrity of financial reporting, maintain strong internal controls, support manufacturing operations, and help build scalable processes as the business grows. The Controller will be responsible for the following:

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process
• Prepare and review accurate and timely profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and management reporting packages
• Analyze financial performance and provide actionable insights to leadership
• Maintain compliance with GAAP and company accounting policies
• Liaise with external audit, tax, and banking relationships

Accounting & Controls

• Manage general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and fixed assets
• Ensure strong internal controls and process discipline
• Oversee account reconciliations and balance sheet integrity
• Maintain accurate inventory and cost accounting practices
• Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes and systems

Operational Finance & Manufacturing Support

• Partner with plant leadership to drive operational and financial performance
• Monitor manufacturing KPIs, including labor efficiency, material utilization, inventory turns, scrap and rework costs, and absorption and overhead performance
• Support standard costing, inventory valuation, cycle counts, and physical inventories
• Assist plant management in identifying cost reduction and productivity opportunities
• Foster collaboration between finance, operations, supply chain, and leadership teams

Strategic Finance & Growth Initiatives

• Support the Director of Finance with M&A due diligence, acquisition integration planning, financial modeling, capital investment analysis, and vertical integration initiatives
• Assist with long‑range planning and growth strategies
• Prepare financial analyses and presentations for executive leadership and ownership

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required. CPA or MBA preferred but not required.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Excel skills. ERP optimization or implementation experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of cost accounting principles, including standard costing, inventory valuation, bills of materials, labor and overhead absorption, variance analysis, and work‑in‑process (WIP) accounting.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations through financial analysis and performance reporting.

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Hands‑on and versatile: Comfortable moving between transactional accounting details and higher‑level financial analysis.
• Continuous improvement mindset: Curious and looks for practical ways to strengthen processes, systems, controls, and operational performance.
• Collaborative: Builds effective relationships across finance, operations, engineering, supply chain, and leadership.
• Adaptable: Prioritizes competing demands and performs effectively in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial, changing environment.
• Strong communicator: Translates financial information into clear operational insights and actions.

THE PAYOFF

• Make an impact: Play a meaningful role in shaping financial discipline and operational performance in a rapidly growing aerospace manufacturing business.
• Broaden your scope: Work across financial reporting, manufacturing finance, strategic analysis, and growth initiatives.
• Build for growth: Help create scalable processes and systems that support acquisitions, integration, and continued expansion.
• Partner with the business: Work closely with operations and executive leadership to improve decision‑making, profitability, and performance.
• Enjoy a flexible schedule: Work 80 hours over nine days and receive every 10th workday off, providing a day off every other week.
• Rewarding package: Enjoy a competitive total compensation and benefits package.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CANDIDATES

Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating talent in our communities—and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration. You do not have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply.