About this opportunity
Inspired Flight lists this Finance Manager (Financial Planning/Analysis) opportunity in san luis obispo, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Company Description
Inspired Flight’s Purpose Statement says it all - Conserving resources, creating jobs, and saving lives by innovating the American drone manufacturing. S. based team designs, builds and supports highly capable and flexible drone platforms for both commercial and government customers.
Collaborative: We harness the collective intelligence and energy of our team to surpass individual potentials and achieve shared goals.
We place a high value in people of all heritages, genders, sexual orientations, and points of view to spark innovation and solutions, enriching our work environment and outputs.
Continuously Improving: We are committed to ongoing learning and innovation by always seeking ways to enhance our processes, products, and personal expertise.
This is an in-office position for hire at Inspired Flight’s HQ in San Luis Obispo, CA.
The Director of Finance owns Inspired Flight’s financial planning, cost control, and accounting operations. This is a hands-on role for a builder: you will create the company’s operating model from the ground up, run disciplined expense management across the business, and develop our accounting team.
This is a highly cross-functional role partnering closely with the executive team across Operations, Go-to-Market, Product & Engineering, and Corporate Administration to turn financial insight into better decisions on production, purchasing, investment, and growth.
This is a prime opportunity for a highly motivated and creative professional who thrives in a high-growth environment and is looking for career development and advancement.
Financial Planning & Analysis
Build and maintain a full three-statement operating model (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) with driver-based revenue, production, and headcount assumptions.
Manage cash flow forecasting and runway planning, flagging risks early to the SVP / President.
Develop product and unit-level cost analysis, including COGS, margins, and bill-of-materials cost trends.
Provide scenario and sensitivity analysis to support pricing, purchasing, hiring, and investment decisions.
Own company-wide spend management: approval workflows, purchasing policy, and budget accountability by department.
Partner with Operations on inventory, purchasing, and production costs to protect gross margin.
Accounting Oversight & Team Development
Oversee the monthly close, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements.
Directly mentor and develop the accounting team, building their technical skills and growing their scope over time.
Strengthen internal controls, policies, and documentation as the company scales.
Coordinate with outside CPAs on tax filings and any audit or review.
Prepare financial models, historical financials, and supporting analysis for investors, lenders, and strategic partners, keeping records diligence-ready.
Partner with Operations, which owns the ERP, to keep financial data accurate and improve how data flows into reporting.
Gross margin and unit cost vs. Cash forecast accuracy and runway visibility
~ Clean audit or review results
You’ll excel in this role if you have:
Experience in UAV, aerospace, defense, or other hardware manufacturing environments, including cost accounting, inventory, and COGS analysis.
Hands-on experience working in NetSuite or a comparable ERP for close, reporting, and cost analysis.
Experience supporting equity or debt financings through diligence, and familiarity with government contracting finance (FAR, DCAA).
8+ years of progressive finance experience, including at least 3 years in a finance leadership role.
~ Proven ability to build a three-statement financial model from scratch and use it to drive decisions.
~ Track record of managing and mentoring accounting staff.
~ Clear communicator who can explain financial results to non-finance leaders.
~ Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; CPA or MBA preferred.
World Class Health, Dental, Vision Insurance Plan
~Equity Stock Options
~ Quarterly Team Bonus Plan
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone.
Inspired Flight is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued, but prioritized. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, neurodiversity, age, or veteran status, or any other non-merit based or legally protected grounds.
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.