Controller

Job Title: Controller

Job Description

The Business Unit Controller serves as the senior financial leader for a dynamic organization and a key strategic business partner to the Business Manager and leadership team. This position is responsible for all financial management activities, supporting complex Aerospace and Defense programs, and driving performance in a decentralized, highly autonomous environment. This executive finance role requires deep expertise in standard costing, program profitability, operational finance, and disciplined execution. The Business Unit Controller provides actionable financial insights that drive strategic decision-making, operational improvements, profitability growth, and cash flow optimization. This is a high-visibility, succession-oriented role with frequent exposure to Division and Corporate leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to the Business Manager and leadership team.
• Shape strategic decision-making through rigorous financial insight into pricing, margin structure, product mix, capacity, Make/Buy, and capital deployment.
• Support new program development and long-cycle Defense initiatives with ROI modeling, risk analysis, and scenario planning.
• Lead the annual operating plan, monthly forecasts, strategic planning, and long-range financial planning.
• Conduct robust monthly operating reviews covering sales, margins, overhead performance, absorption, and cash generation.
• Proactively identify risks, opportunities, and performance gaps; drive corrective action with cross-functional teams.
• Own all aspects of standard costing, variance analysis, inventory valuation, and cost accounting.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to improve productivity, yield, throughput, and material efficiency.
• Lead working capital performance, including inventory optimization, cycle-time improvement, and program costing accuracy.
• Support DoD-related contract structures including cost-plus, T&M, and fixed-price defense programs (experience preferred).
• Ensure timely and accurate financial close, internal reporting, balance sheet integrity and revenue recognition.
• Maintain compliance with US GAAP, SOX 404, company financial policies, and Defense-related financial standards.
• Lead audit preparation, remediation, and continuous improvement of financial processes.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance organization.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, operational engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a senior member of the leadership team, influencing strategy and organizational development.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 7+ years of progressive financial leadership within manufacturing, with strong exposure to standard costing and operational finance.
• Prior experience as a Business Controller, Plant Controller, or senior FP&A leader.
• Demonstrated success operating in a decentralized, high-accountability business model.
• Strong understanding of inventory, absorption, cost accounting, and working capital management.
• Advanced financial modeling and analytical capability.
• Ability to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs.
• Legal right to work in the US and authorization to access export-controlled information.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in Aerospace & Defense, including understanding of DoD cost structures and compliance requirements.
• Multi-site manufacturing experience within a public company environment.
• Exposure to M&A, integration, or divestiture activities.
• CPA or Masters degree.
• Expertise with Oracle ERP, Hyperion/HFM, and data visualization tools such as Power BI.
• Strong executive communication skills and comfort presenting to Division and Corporate leadership.

Work Environment

The role is based in an office environment with a 9/80 schedule, allowing flexible start and end times. The organization promotes a highly decentralized, entrepreneurial culture, enabling leaders to run their businesses autonomously. There is room for career growth, including potential advancement to VP level, and the opportunity to work on complex, engineered-to-order products.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Goleta, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $180000.00 - $225000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical, dental, vision, 401k, bonus, overseeing all national holidays.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Goleta, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Goleta,CA.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.