Senior Cost Accountant

Safran Defense & Space, Inc.; Bedford (NH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Defense & Space, Inc. (Safran DSI) in Bedford, NH seeks a Senior Cost Accountant to join the Optronics unit. You will partner with operations, supply chain, and finance to improve cost transparency and support strategic decisions.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in cost accounting in a manufacturing setting, strong GAAP knowledge, ERP/SAP experience, and Excel proficiency. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required; minimal travel may be involved.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or related field.
• Minimum five years of cost accounting experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• ERP experience, preferably SAP or equivalent.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel; ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Understand financial transactions and statements at a detailed level.
• Perform cost analysis including standard costs, variance analysis, and cost roll-ups.
• Collaborate with Operations to identify cost drivers and improvements.
• Lead BOM cost roll-ups and support product updates with CM team.
• Prepare monthly inventory and production variance reports.
• Oversee fixed asset accounting, capitalization, disposals, and depreciation.
• Ensure internal controls, GAAP compliance, and audit readiness.
• Provide forecasts to aid leadership decision-making.
• Assist with SAP cost module enhancements and budgeting processes.

Skills

Cost accounting

GAAP

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

SAP experience

Job description

About Our Mission

Join the forefront of innovation and make an impact at Safran Defense & Space, Inc.!

Safran DSI Business Unit: Optronics

Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading U.S. aerospace company dedicated to supporting national defense and space missions. As a trusted partner to the U.S. armed forces, government agencies, and commercial sectors, Safran DSI delivers advanced technology solutions through its specialized business units: Assured PNT, Geospatial AI, Optronics, Space Solutions, and Testing & Telemetry.

Headquartered in Bedford, NH, Safran DSI Optronics (formerly Optics 1) is a global leader in full-service design and production of electro-optic and navigation systems. Leveraging core competencies in defense technologies, Optronics provides unmatched, first-class mission solutions for military and law enforcement personnel.

We have a high‑paced, high‑energy environment focused on acknowledging individual and team successes, as well as overall growth. Optronics is a community that cares about the mission of our customers. Our team believes in supporting and enriching our community through engagement; whether that means giving back to our troops, veterans and their families, investing in next‑generation innovators through STEM education or higher education initiatives, giving back is an important part of who we are as a team.

If you’re ready to join our mission and serve those who serve, Safran DSI is the perfect place for you to take your career to the next level. Make a real difference and be part of something extraordinary.

Position Profile

The Senior Cost Accountant will be an integral member of the accounting team and responsible for a variety of accounting functions. The qualified candidate will work under minimal supervision as part of a small team and be an individual contributor. This role partners closely with operations, supply chain, and finance leadership to improve cost transparency and support strategic decision‑making. The ideal candidate has strong analytical skills, is detail‑oriented, has deep knowledge of standard costing and inventory accounting, and has the ability to work in a fast‑paced environment while prioritizing and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Possess a strong understanding of financial transactions and financial statements
• Perform detailed cost analysis, including standard cost updates, variance analysis, and monthly cost roll‑ups
• Monitor manufacturing performance and partner with Operations to identify cost drivers and improvement opportunities
• Lead Bill of Material (BOM) cost roll‑up activities, ensuring accuracy and timely support for product updates initiated by the Configuration Management team
• Create and distribute monthly reports related to inventory, production order variances, etc.
• Oversee the fixed asset accounting process, including capitalization, disposals, and depreciation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, GAAP standards, and audit requirements related to cost accounting
• Conduct gross margin analysis to evaluate product profitability and identify cost drivers impacting financial performance
• Complete purchase price variance analysis and corresponding journal entries
• Provide meaningful and accurate forecasts to assist leadership with decision‑making
• Key contributor to internal and external audits
• Assist with SAP cost module enhancements, testing, and maintenance as needed
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes for production costs, inventory, and standard cost updates
• Assist in transfer pricing processes and calculations
• Back‑up for other accounting functions as needed
• Ad hoc reporting as needed
• Special projects as requested

What You’ll Need To Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in accounting/finance or related field
• Minimum five years’ experience in cost accounting in a manufacturing setting
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• ERP experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment
• Excellent analytical, organizational, verbal, and written skills
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Knowledge in Federal Acquisition Regulation and Cost Accounting Standards
• Prior experience working in an ITAR‑compliant environment or for a DoD federal contractor
• Business Intelligence experience
• SAP experience

TRAVEL

Minimal travel may be required, including outside the local area and overnight.

Eeo Statement & Accessibility

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

EOE/AA/M/F/Vets – U.S. Protected Individual status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, refugee or temporary resident as defined at 8 USC 1160(a)).