Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst

Ignite Human Capital; Downey (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ignite Human Capital is hiring an FP&A Analyst for an onsite role in California. The position focuses on financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and business analysis across the organization. You will develop models, analyze performance, and deliver insights to support informed decisions.

The role reports to the VP Finance and collaborates with Finance and cross-functional partners to support budgeting and forecasting, evaluate variances, and improve financial information quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related field.
• 1–5 years FP&A experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing.
• Strong modeling, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis & financial statement analysis.
• Advanced Excel; proficient in PowerPoint, ERP, and FP&A tools.
• Strong problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration.
• Organized, detail-oriented and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain financial models for forecasting, budgeting, and planning.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting with schedules and inputs.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly budget-to-actual analyses and variance insights.
• Create financial and operational reporting packages for leadership.
• Maintain KPIs and analyze trends in performance.
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations, PM and other teams for data.
• Analyze revenue, costs, margins, working capital and profitability.
• Support 13-week cash flow forecasting and scenario analyses.
• Perform pricing, profitability, break-even and sensitivity analyses.
• Analyze contracts and program requirements for financial impact.
• Prepare forward-looking analyses and scenario models.
• Assist with capital expenditure analysis and ROI evaluations.
• Conduct ad hoc analyses with clear findings and opportunities.
• Improve FP&A tools, reports, models and processes.
• Support strategic initiatives and due diligence for M&A.
• Maintain documentation and controls for models.

Skills

Financial modeling

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Financial statement analysis

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

ERP systems

Financial planning/reporting tools

Job description

Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst

On Site, California

About the Company

We are working with a trusted leader in the manufacturing of complex precision components, assemblies, and systems for the aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors. Known for technical excellence, quality craftsmanship, and on-time delivery, the company supports some of the world's most demanding programs through advanced manufacturing capabilities including precision machining, fabrication, welding, and complex assembly operations for mission-critical applications.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst to support financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and business analysis across the organization. Reporting to the VP Finance, this role will develop financial models, analyze financial and operational performance, and provide timely insights that support informed business decisions.

The FP&A Analyst will work closely with Finance and cross-functional business partners to support budgeting and forecasting activities, evaluate performance against plan, identify trends and business drivers, and improve the quality and consistency of financial information. This role is well suited for someone who enjoys working with complex data, developing meaningful analysis, and translating financial information into actionable business insights.

What You'll Do

• Develop and maintain financial models supporting forecasting, budgeting, operational planning, scenario analysis, and other business requirements.
• Support the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes by preparing schedules, consolidating departmental inputs, validating assumptions, and analyzing changes against prior forecasts and operating plans.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly budget-to-actual and forecast-to-actual analyses, identifying significant variances, underlying business drivers, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Prepare financial and operational reporting packages for review by Finance and company leadership.
• Maintain and analyze key financial and operational performance indicators (KPIs) and provide analysis of trends and changes in business performance.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, Program Management, and other functional teams to gather data, understand business drivers, and support performance analysis.
• Analyze revenue, costs, margins, working capital, and other financial performance measures to identify trends and opportunities.
• Support the 13-week cash flow forecasting process by collecting data, analyzing assumptions, and monitoring actual performance.
• Perform pricing, profitability, break-even, sensitivity, and margin analyses to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Analyze financial implications of customer contracts and program requirements, including impacts on revenue, costs, cash flow, forecasts, and profitability.
• Prepare forward-looking financial analyses and scenario models to evaluate potential changes in volume, pricing, cost, investment, or other business assumptions.
• Support capital expenditure analysis and ROI evaluations.
• Perform ad hoc financial analysis in response to business needs, with clear summaries of findings, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support continuous improvement of FP&A tools, reporting, models, and processes.
• Support strategic initiatives, special projects, and M&A activity as needed, including data collection, financial modeling, and due diligence support.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and controls supporting financial models, forecasts, and reports.

What You Bring

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 1–5 years of financial planning and analysis experience at an aerospace/defense manufacturing company.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including experience with financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial statement analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, along with proficiency in PowerPoint, ERP systems, and financial planning/reporting tools.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex financial and operational data and develop meaningful insights and recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

• Experience with program, contract, or project-based financial analysis.

Compensation

• Base salary: $85,000–$110,000 per year (commensurate with experience)
• Annual bonus: 4.5%–7.0% of base salary

Work Environment

• This position operates onsite within a precision manufacturing environment supporting mission-critical aerospace and defense components. Success requires a strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and effective cross-departmental coordination.
• Ability to work onsite, including hours outside a normal working day, to meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment, including walking the production floor, climbing stairs or ladders, occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds, and wearing required PPE.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires access to information/hardware subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must qualify as U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR.

Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets.