Senior Manager, Accounting (R5107)

San Diego, California

Finance Division – Accounting /

Full Time Employee /

On-site

Founded in 2015, 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 and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. 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:

Shield AI is seeking a strategic and operationally strong Senior Manager, Accounting to join our Finance organization. As Shield AI continues to scale globally, this role will serve as a critical leader within the accounting function, driving operational excellence, strengthening controllership processes, and helping mature the company’s financial infrastructure in support of continued growth and future public-company readiness.

Reporting to the Accounting Director, this role will lead key aspects of the global accounting and close process, oversee complex accounting operations and intercompany activities, and partner cross-functionally to implement scalable systems, controls, and reporting processes. The ideal candidate brings a combination of strong technical accounting expertise, operational leadership, process transformation experience, and the ability to influence across a rapidly evolving organization.

What you'll do:

Lead and oversee key global accounting operations, including the monthly and quarterly close and consolidation process, intercompany eliminations, foreign currency translation, general ledger accounting, and review of significant accruals, reconciliations, and cash activities.
Serve as a key leader in driving an efficient, accurate, and scalable close and reporting process across domestic and international entities, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and internal policies.
Partner closely with FP&A, Treasury, Tax, Program Finance, Operations, and international business teams to ensure alignment across financial reporting, operational initiatives, and strategic objectives.
Drive the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of accounting policies, internal controls, and governance frameworks in preparation for future SOX compliance and public-company readiness.
Identify opportunities to streamline and automate accounting workflows, improve data integrity, and enhance reporting capabilities through systems optimization and process transformation initiatives.
Lead cross-functional projects related to ERP enhancements, accounting system implementations, reporting automation, and finance infrastructure scaling.
Support the Accounting Director in managing external audits, statutory reporting requirements, and coordination with external advisors and stakeholders.
Develop and maintain high-quality documentation for accounting processes, controls, and key business activities to support audit readiness and operational consistency.
Provide mentorship, guidance, and subject matter expertise to team members while helping cultivate a high-performance, collaborative accounting organization.
Analyze complex accounting and operational issues, assess business impacts, and recommend practical, scalable solutions that balance technical compliance with business objectives.
Monitor emerging accounting guidance, industry developments, and best practices, proactively evaluating potential impacts to the organization.
Support special projects, strategic initiatives, and ad hoc analyses as the company continues to grow and evolve.

Required qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (preferred), Finance, or a related field.
12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including experience in a high-growth, complex operating environment.
Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, consolidations, and internal control frameworks; experience supporting SOX readiness or compliance initiatives strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience leading complex close processes across multiple entities and coordinating cross-functional stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
Proven ability to drive process improvement, operational scalability, and systems optimization initiatives.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Excellent project management and organizational skills, with demonstrated success managing multiple priorities and delivering results under tight deadlines.
Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively partner with leaders and stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
High degree of ownership, accountability, and initiative with the ability to operate independently and proactively.
Experience developing process documentation, implementing controls, and supporting audit activities.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience working within modern ERP systems.

Preferred qualifications:

Active CPA license.
Experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries.
Experience within a fast-paced, high-growth technology company.
Familiarity with project-based accounting and government contracting environments.
Experience supporting ERP implementations, finance transformation initiatives, or accounting automation projects.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring or managing team members and influencing cross-functional initiatives.
Ability to evaluate complex operational and financial challenges, establish clear priorities, and execute practical solutions that support long-term scalability.
Experience supporting organizations preparing for IPO readiness, public-company reporting, or enhanced compliance environments.

$130,000 - $200,000 a year

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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 to equal 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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