Senior FP&A / Program Controller

Quantum Space; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantum Space in Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Senior FP&A / Program Controller to partner with program teams and translate activity into budgets, forecasts, and management reporting.

You will own budgeting, EACs, cost performance, and contract financial analysis while connecting program results to overall company performance, supporting rapid growth in aerospace.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of FP&A, corporate finance, or program finance experience.
• Experience owning budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, variance analysis, and management reporting.
• Strong understanding of financial statements and the relationships between income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow.
• Experience building sophisticated financial models translating operational drivers into forecasts.
• Strong business partnership skills with leaders outside Finance.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling capabilities.
• Experience with ERP/FP&A systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning for programs and business areas.
• Translate program milestones, risks, and changes into financial impacts and forecasts.
• Develop program budgets, resource plans, cost baselines, and financial performance targets.
• Own rolling forecasts for revenue, expenses, labor, headcount, capital, and cash flow.
• Prepare and maintain program Estimates at Completion (EACs) and integrate forecasts into corporate plans.
• Analyze actuals vs budgets/forecasts to identify drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead monthly and quarterly financial performance reviews for senior leadership.
• Develop financial models and scenario analyses to support strategic planning and investments.
• Collaborate with Contracting to ensure accurate reporting for government and commercial contracts.
• Support Earned Value Management (EVM) and cost performance measurement where applicable.
• Improve FP&A processes, tools, and planning systems as the company scales.
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and decision support to senior leadership.

Skills

Excel

Financial modeling

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Executive reporting

ERP systems

Program finance

Cross-functional partnering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business

Tools

NetSuite

Deltek

SAP

Oracle

Anaplan

Adaptive Planning

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a highly motivated and analytical Senior FP&A / Program Controller to play a key role in corporate financial planning and analysis while serving as the financial partner to our spacecraft development and mission programs. This role will bridge corporate Finance and Program Management, ensuring that program-level financial performance is accurately reflected in company budgets, forecasts, long-range plans, and management reporting.

The ideal candidate brings a strong FP&A foundation, with experience owning budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, variance analysis, and executive reporting in a complex organization. Experience within a public company environment is strongly preferred, along with exposure to government contracting, aerospace, defense, or other project-based businesses.

This individual will partner closely with Program Management, Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and executive leadership to translate program activity into actionable financial insights. While this position will have responsibility for traditional program finance and controller activities, including program budgets, Estimates at Completion (EACs), cost performance, and contract financial analysis, the role requires someone who can connect those activities to the broader financial performance and strategic objectives of the company.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced FP&A professional who wants to expand their scope into program finance while helping build the financial planning infrastructure of a rapidly growing aerospace company.

Where You'll Make an Impact

• Lead the annual budgeting, periodic forecasting, and long-range planning processes for assigned programs and business areas, ensuring alignment with company-wide financial objectives
• Serve as a key liaison between Finance and Program Management, translating program execution, milestones, risks, and operational changes into financial impacts and forecasts
• Partner with Program Managers and functional leaders to develop program budgets, resource plans, cost baselines, and financial performance targets
• Own and maintain rolling forecasts for revenue, expenses, labor, headcount, capital requirements, cash flow, and other key financial drivers
• Prepare and maintain program Estimates at Completion (EACs) and ensure program forecasts are accurately incorporated into corporate financial plans
• Analyze actual results against budget, forecast, prior periods, and program baselines, identifying key drivers, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions
• Lead monthly and quarterly financial performance reviews, providing clear and actionable insights to Finance, Program Management, and executive leadership
• Develop financial models and scenario analyses to support strategic planning, investment decisions, resource allocation, contract decisions, and program execution
• Partner with Accounting to ensure accurate financial reporting, accruals, cost allocation, revenue recognition inputs, and period-end results related to assigned programs
• Support company-level management reporting, KPI development, executive presentations, and financial dashboards
• Monitor program cost, schedule, funding, and financial performance while proactively identifying trends that could impact company forecasts or financial objectives
• Evaluate the financial impact of contract modifications, engineering changes, schedule shifts, procurement decisions, and changes in program scope
• Track labor utilization, material spend, commitments, headcount, and other operational drivers affecting program and corporate financial performance
• Partner with Contracts, Program Management, and Finance to support the financial administration and reporting requirements of U.S. Government and commercial contracts
• Support Earned Value Management (EVM), cost performance measurement, and other program controls methodologies where applicable
• Help establish and improve FP&A processes, forecasting methodologies, financial controls, reporting tools, and planning systems as the organization scales
• Collaborate across Finance, Accounting, Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Contracts to improve financial visibility and decision-making
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and decision support to senior leadership on strategic and operational initiatives

What It Takes

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related discipline
• 7+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, corporate finance, program finance, or related financial disciplines
• Demonstrated experience owning or playing a significant role in annual budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, variance analysis, and management reporting
• Strong understanding of financial statements and the relationship between the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement
• Experience developing sophisticated financial models and translating operational drivers into financial forecasts
• Strong business partnership skills with demonstrated ability to work directly with operational and functional leaders outside of Finance
• Ability to synthesize complex financial and operational information into clear insights and recommendations for senior leadership
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial modeling
• Experience working with ERP, financial planning, or enterprise reporting systems
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving environment
• Ability to work across both corporate FP&A and program-level finance, connecting detailed program performance to broader company financial results

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience working within the FP&A or corporate finance organization of a publicly traded company
• Experience supporting U.S. Government contracting, including familiarity with government contract structures, cost accounting, funding, and financial reporting requirements
• Experience within aerospace, defense, spacecraft, satellite, launch, advanced manufacturing, or other complex engineering environments
• Prior experience in program finance or program controlling within a government contracting environment
• Understanding of contract types including Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Cost-Plus, and Time & Materials (T&M) arrangements
• Knowledge of GAAP, revenue recognition principles, and financial controls within a public company or audit-ready environment
• Experience supporting quarterly forecasting, executive reporting, Board reporting, or other public company financial planning processes
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, Estimates at Completion (EACs), and program performance measurement
• Familiarity with ERP and financial planning systems such as NetSuite, Deltek, SAP, Oracle, Adaptive Planning, Anaplan, or equivalent
• Experience developing or improving FP&A processes, reporting infrastructure, and financial planning tools within a rapidly growing organization
• MBA, CPA, CFA, or other relevant advanced degree or professional certification

What You'll Get

• Ownership: Take ownership of budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and program financial performance for mission-critical spacecraft programs
• Visibility: Serve as a key financial partner to Program Management, Finance, and executive leadership while helping connect program execution to company performance
• Innovation: Help build and scale the financial planning and program finance infrastructure supporting next-generation space mobility
• Impact: Deliver the financial insights, forecasts, and program visibility that enable better strategic and operational decision-making
• Growth: Join a collaborative organization at the intersection of corporate finance, program management, engineering, and operations with the opportunity to shape FP&A processes as Quantum Space scales
• Compensation: Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity participation

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

The salary range for this role is determined based on a variety of factors including work experience, education, technical expertise, certifications, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voluntary Self-Identification

As set forth in Quantum Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do