Controller
Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site)
Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance
The Role
We are seeking a Controller to build and lead NODA's accounting and financial operations function from the ground up. This is a 0-to-1 role: you will own the general ledger, the close, the audit, the indirect rate structure, and the systems that make a defense technology company financially scalable from Series A through Series B and beyond.
You will work directly with the founding team and finance leadership to stand up the infrastructure required to operate as a federal contractor - DCAA-compliant accounting, FAR-aligned indirect rate pools, audit-ready records, and the billing and reporting rhythm that government contracts demand. This role is for someone who has done the work inside a Big 4 audit practice, knows what "good" looks like in defense accounting, and is ready to build it from scratch in a venture-backed environment.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting Operations
• Own day-to-day accounting operations including general ledger, AP, AR, payroll integration, and month-end close
• Build and maintain the chart of accounts, indirect cost pools, and cost structure required for government contracting
• Establish close calendars, reconciliation procedures, and accounting policies that scale with the business
• Manage external relationships with auditors, tax preparers, banking partners, and outsourced accounting providers as the function transitions in-house
Government Contract Compliance
• Stand up and maintain a DCAA-compliant accounting system, including timekeeping, labor distribution, and indirect cost allocation
• Develop and submit provisional billing rates, incurred cost submissions (ICE), and forward pricing rate proposals as required
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and CAS as applicable to NODA's contract portfolio
• Support pre-award accounting system reviews, DCAA audits, and contract-specific compliance requirements
• Partner with contracts and program teams on contract setup, billing, and revenue recognition across cost-reimbursable, fixed-price, OTA, and SBIR vehicles
Financial Reporting and Audit Readiness
• Produce timely, accurate monthly and quarterly financial statements for management and board reporting
• Lead preparation for the company's first external audit and own audit readiness as the company scales toward Series B
• Establish revenue recognition policies aligned with ASC 606 across prototype, production, and government contract revenue
• Implement internal controls appropriate to company stage, with a clear roadmap toward public-company readiness
Systems and Infrastructure
• Select, implement, and administer the accounting, billing, expense, and payroll systems that will carry NODA from early stage through scale
• Build the integrations and reporting layer that connect financial systems to project accounting, contracts, and operations
• Establish documentation, SOPs, and training for finance processes as the team grows
Reports to: VP of Operations
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Active CPA license
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including a foundation in Big 4 audit
• Direct experience with government contract accounting, including DCAA-compliant systems, indirect rate development, and incurred cost submissions
• Working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and CAS
• Experience owning month-end close and producing GAAP financial statements
• Proficiency with modern accounting and ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, Unanet, Deltek Costpoint, or comparable)
• Strong Excel modeling and analytical skills
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain a security clearance
Preferred Qualifications
• Big 4 audit experience with a defense, aerospace, or government contracting client portfolio
• Prior Controller or Assistant Controller experience at a venture-backed defense technology company
• Hands-on experience standing up a DCAA-compliant accounting system from scratch
• Experience supporting a Series B or later equity financing, including audit readiness and investor diligence
• Familiarity with OTA, SBIR, IDIQ, and hybrid prototype-to-production contract structures
• Experience with revenue recognition under ASC 606 in a mixed commercial and government environment
• Prior military, government, or defense industry experience
• Existing security clearance
Skills & Attributes
• Builder's mindset with the discipline to operate inside the rules that govern federal contracting
• Strong technical accounting foundation paired with the judgment to make practical calls in a fast-moving environment
• Comfortable owning ambiguity: writing the policy, selecting the system, and standing up the process where none exists
• High attention to detail without losing sight of strategic priorities
• Clear communicator who can translate accounting and compliance constraints into language that engineers, operators, and executives can act on
• Mission-driven and motivated by the work NODA is doing for national security customers
What We Offer
• Hybrid work environment
• Competitive pay
• Flexible time off
• Generous PTO policy
• Federal holidays
• Generous health, dental, and vision benefits
• Free OneMedical membership
• 401(k)
Growth Path at NODA
As NODA scales, the Controller has a direct path into senior finance leadership - VP of Finance or CFO succession - or the opportunity to build and lead a broader accounting and FP&A organization as the company grows from Series A through production-scale defense programs.
