Sr Lead FP&A (R5566)

Shield; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 230,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Senior Strategic Finance Lead with extensive Aerospace & Defense experience to architect and own long-range financial models. You will design the company’s integrated three-statement and unit economics model, drive enterprise-level financial strategy, and produce investor-grade outputs for the C-suite, Board, and public markets.

Candidates should bring elite modeling expertise (IB/PE/HF/Equity Research), mastery of HW/SW unit economics, and thrive in a fast- paced,

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in investment banking, PE, hedge funds, or equity research.
• Direct strategic finance leadership experience in a publicly traded company.
• Deep A&D exposure (defense, aerospace, autonomy, robotics, industrial tech).
• Proven ownership of scalable three-statement models, LRP development, valuations, sensitivities, and unit economics.
• Exceptional Excel modeling with multi-scenario three-statement modeling and driver-based forecasting.
• Strong GAAP proficiency and understanding of financial statement mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Own and build the strategic financial model.

Skills

Strategic finance leadership

Three-statement modeling

LRP development

Valuation

GAAP proficiency

Executive communication

Cross-functional partnering

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

We build advanced autonomous systems for defense markets—complex hardware and software products that demand world-class financial modeling, rigorous strategic analysis, and the ability to turn complexity into clarity.

We seek a Senior Strategic Finance Lead with deep Aerospace & Defense (A&D) experience, a strong strategic or corporate finance background in a publicly traded company, and a proven track record architecting and owning long-range financial models. You will serve as the analytical engine of Corporate Finance: designing the company’s fully integrated long-range three‑statement and unit economics model, driving enterprise-level financial strategy, and producing investor-grade outputs that shape decisions at the C-suite, Board, and ultimately public investors.

Candidates must bring elite modeling expertise (IB/PE/HF/Equity Research), mastery of complex HW/SW unit economics, and comfort operating in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.

What you’ll do:

• Own and Build the Strategic Financial Model

Required qualifications:

• 8–10 years of experience, including significant time in investment banking, PE, hedge funds, or equity research.

• Direct strategic finance leadership experience in a publicly traded company.

• Deep A&D industry exposure (defense, aerospace, autonomy, robotics, industrial tech, or complex HW/SW).

• Proven ownership of scalable three‑statement models, LRP development, valuations, sensitivities, and unit economics.

• Exceptional Excel modeling capability; fluent in multi‑scenario three‑statement modeling, beat‑and‑raise frameworks, and driver‑based forecasting.

• Strong GAAP proficiency and command of financial statement mechanics.

• Demonstrated ability to distill complex financial and technical information into clear insights for executives, Board, and investors.

• Thrives in fast‑paced, high‑growth environments with high accuracy and strong judgment.

• Systems‑oriented mindset; comfortable partnering with data and systems teams.

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with government contract economics, milestone‑based revenue, and program accounting.

• M&A experience including modeling, valuation, and diligence.

• Exposure to manufacturing scale, supply chain dynamics, and hardware production cycles.

Who you are:

• An analytical athlete with exceptional modeling intuition and attention to detail.

• A structured, clear thinker who simplifies complexity without losing nuance.

• Fast, accurate, and calm under pressure.

• Curious, forward‑looking, and driven to understand what truly moves the business.

• A strong communicator who elevates decision quality across the company.

• Mission‑driven and energized by solving complex, high‑impact problems.

Why this role matters:

• You will build the strategic financial model that defines how the business is understood—internally, at the Board level, and eventually by public investors. Your work will guide product strategy, capital allocation, investments, and long‑range ambitions. This is Strategic Finance at its highest level: high complexity, high visibility, high impact.

#LI-TF1

#LE

Full-time regular employee offer package:

• Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

• Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part‑time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.