Job Summary:We are seeking a Senior Finance Manager in the FP&A team with experience supporting capital-intensive, advanced hardware businesses in a startup or high-growth environment. This role is ideal for a finance leader who thrives in ambiguity, operates with a proactive, builder mindset, and can establish scalable capital planning processes, controls, and financial discipline while maintaining flexibility as the business evolves.
This individual contributor role partners with Engineering/R&D, Operations, Facilities, IT, and Accounting to provide financial leadership across high-value capital expenditures, complex equipment purchases, and large-scale facility and lab projects.
Role will require candidate to have on-site flexibility to work in Palo Alto and Milpitas offices as situation requires.
Responsibilities:Capital Planning, Controls & Governance- Design and own capital planning frameworks, including approval workflows, funding governance, and prioritization models appropriate for a startup or scaling environment.
- Establish and continuously improve controls, processes, and structure around capital requests, project approvals, and spend tracking while balancing speed and rigor.
- Develop capital authorization policies and ensure compliance as the organization grows.
Capital Expenditures & Project Finance- Lead FP&A for large-scale capital investments related to semiconductor equipment, advanced computing systems, R&D labs, and specialized facilities.
- Partner with R&D to evaluate investments in building the world's first useful quantum computer, including tooling, test equipment, cryogenic systems, and supporting infrastructure.
- Build and maintain robust tracking and scenario models for long-cycle, high-risk technology investments.
- Own short- and long-range capex forecasting, adjusting plans dynamically as priorities evolve.
Purchase Orders & Spend Tracking- Oversee purchase order creation, approvals, and commitment tracking for multi-vendor, long lead-time equipment and construction projects.
- Implement scalable methods to track committed vs. actual spend, progress payments, and milestone-based billing.
- Proactively identify risks, overruns, and timing issues and partner with stakeholders on mitigation plans.
Accounting & Financial Close Support- Serve as a key finance partner to Accounting on capitalization, depreciation, construction-in-progress (CIP), asset lives, and impairment for advanced hardware and facilities.
- Ensure appropriate accounting treatment for tooling, wafers, masks, prototypes, pilot lines, lab equipment, cryogenic infrastructure, and specialized software.
- Support month-end and quarter-end close activities related to fixed assets and project accounting in accordance with US GAAP.
FP&A & Strategic Business Partnership- Act as a trusted, hands-on finance partner to leadership in a fast-moving startup environment, providing clear insights despite incomplete data.
- Translate technically complex project and engineering inputs into executive-ready financial summaries.
- Balance long-term technology bets with near-term cash management and funding constraints.
Systems, Tools & Process Improvement- Leverage NetSuite or comparable ERP and project accounting tools to support high-value capital projects.
- Lead process improvements and system enhancements for fixed assets, CIP, and project tracking as the organization scales.
- Build financial infrastructure that can evolve from early-stage to more mature operations.
Experience/Qualifications:Required- 8+ years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or capital-focused finance roles.
- Experience in semiconductor, advanced hardware, electronics, or similarly capital-intensive industries.
- Strong understanding of capital expenditure accounting, fixed assets, CIP, and long-lived assets.
- Hands-on experience with NetSuite or comparable ERP systems.
- Advanced financial modeling and analytical skills.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and drive initiatives forward with limited direction.
Preferred- MBA preferred.
- Experience scaling financial controls and governance alongside rapid organizational growth.
Key Competencies- Builder mindset with strong ownership mentality.
- Comfort with ambiguity and evolving priorities.
- Proactive problem-solving and bias toward action.
- Strategic capital allocation and financial rigor.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with technical teams.
- Ability to balance flexibility with discipline and control.
The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto), the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto). If there is only one range, it is for the specific location of where the position will be located. Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
U.S. Base Pay Range
$155,000-$178,000 USD
Bay Area Pay Range
$195,000-$205,000 USD
