Program Finance Lead

ultra; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus

PTO + 11 holidays

Early finish on Friday

401K w/ company match

Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits

Student Loan Assistance Program

Voluntary benefit offerings

Job summary

Ultra Intelligence & Communications in San Diego seeks a Program Finance Lead to manage financial planning and reporting for DoD programs, partnering with program management, contracts, and leadership to ensure accurate performance and compliance.

The ideal candidate has about 5 years in government contracting or defense finance, with strong budgeting, forecasting, and risk analysis skills, plus the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance if required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience in program finance, government contracting, defense, aerospace, or related industry.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and variance analysis skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, if required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary finance partner for assigned DoD programs and program managers.
• Develop and maintain program budgets, forecasts, financial plans, and estimates at completion (EACs).
• Monitor program financial performance against approved budgets, forecasts, and contractual requirements.
• Analyze cost, revenue, profit, funding, and cash-flow performance.
• Identify financial trends, risks, and opportunities and communicate recommendations to program leadership.
• Support monthly and quarterly program financial reviews.

Skills

Program finance

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Education

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

MBA, CPA, CMA or other certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

DCAA/DCMA knowledge

Job description

Company: Ultra Intelligence & Communications

Mission Solutions

Powering Decision

Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield—find your place in the future of defense.

Mission Solutions

By joining our Mission Solutions business, you will be a member of a team dedicated to providing innovative solutions that streamline the preparation and execution of intricate, mission-critical operations. We focus on enhancing situational awareness, tactical command and control, and seamless video data exchange capabilities within a dynamic, multi-domain environment.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Program Finance Lead is responsible for providing financial management, analysis, forecasting, and reporting support for assigned Department of Defense (DoD) programs. This role serves as a key financial partner to Program Management, Contracts, Accounting, and Business Operations, ensuring program financial performance is accurately measured, risks are identified, and financial commitments and obligations are effectively managed.

The ideal candidate has approximately 5 years of experience in government contracting, program finance, or defense/aerospace finance and is comfortable working with program managers and senior leadership in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

Program Financial Management

• Serve as the primary finance partner for assigned DoD programs and program managers.
• Develop and maintain program budgets, forecasts, financial plans, and estimates at completion (EACs).
• Monitor program financial performance against approved budgets, forecasts, and contractual requirements.
• Analyze cost, revenue, profit, funding, and cash-flow performance.
• Identify financial trends, risks, and opportunities and communicate recommendations to program leadership.
• Support monthly and quarterly program financial reviews.

Forecasting & Financial Analysis

• Lead monthly forecasting and variance analysis for assigned programs.
• Develop and maintain Estimate at Completion (EAC) and Estimate to Complete (ETC) forecasts.
• Evaluate labor, material, subcontractor, and other direct-cost trends.
• Analyze staffing plans and labor utilization against program requirements.
• Perform scenario modeling and "what-if" analysis to support program decisions.
• Assess financial impacts of contract modifications, scope changes, funding changes, and schedule changes.

Government Contracting

• Support financial management of Cost Plus, Time & Materials, Firm Fixed Price, and other government contract types.
• Monitor contract funding, obligations, expenditures, revenue, and remaining contract value.
• Partner with Contracts and Program Management to assess the financial impact of contract changes.
• Support compliance with applicable government contracting requirements, company policies, and internal controls.
• Assist with customer audits, DCAA-related requests, and other government financial reviews as needed.

Reporting & Leadership Support

• Prepare monthly program financial reports and executive-level presentations.
• Provide concise financial insights to Program Managers, Business Unit leaders, and Finance leadership.
• Develop dashboards and reporting tools to improve program visibility and financial decision-making.
• Communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Support annual operating plans, long-range planning, and strategic financial initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or a related field.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience in program finance, government contracting, defense, aerospace, or a related industry.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and variance analysis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, if required for assigned programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DCAA, DCMA, FAR, DFARS, CAS, or government accounting requirements.
• 5+ years of experience supporting DoD or other U.S. Government contracts.
• 5+ years of experience with EAC/ETC forecasting and program financial reporting.
• Previous experience supporting major DoD customers such as Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Department of Defense agencies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple programs and competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• MBA, CPA, CMA, or other relevant professional certification.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, financial modeling, and data analysis.
• Experience working with classified or highly regulated programs.

#IC

#LI-Onsite

#LI-JK1

Notice

Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export-controlled material as defined by the role's requirements.

Our Benefits

Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including:

• Annual Bonus - Annual Bonus – Performance Related

• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) package plus 11 company holidays

• Early finish on Friday

• 401K w/ company match

• Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits

• Student Loan Assistance Program

• Array of voluntary benefit offerings

Ultra I&C is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age,