Senior Program Finance Analyst

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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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. Shield AI is seeking a Senior Program Finance Analyst to support financial execution, forecasting, and analysis across key programs. This role will partner closely with Program Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business Development, and Finance leadership to provide visibility into program performance and turn program execution data into reliable forecasts and useful financial analysis.
The ideal candidate has experience in the aerospace and defense industry, specifically within program finance, FP&A, or similar roles; thrives in a fast-paced and evolving environment; and can balance financial rigor with changing business needs. This role combines program finance execution and financial modeling support in approximately equal measure. Execution responsibilities provide the foundation: accurate inputs, dependable deliverables, and timely visibility into changes. Your modeling work will connect that information to broader product lifecycle economics.
This is a hands-on individual contributor role. The Senior Program Finance Analyst will maintain financial models, analyze actual performance against plan, identify financial risks and opportunities, and support process improvements.

What you'll do:
Own assigned program finance deliverables
* Maintain recurring forecasts and EAC schedules, incorporating validated inputs from Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and other functional owners.
* Coordinate input deadlines, follow up on missing information, and investigate assumptions that appear incomplete or inconsistent.
* Analyze actuals against forecasts and budgets; explain cost, timing, and schedule-related changes and prepare clear program reporting.
* Investigate variances directly with stakeholders, resolve routine discrepancies, and escalate material risks, assumption changes, or unresolved questions.
* Own assigned deliverables through completion, with appropriate review of significant changes and leadership-facing conclusions.
Connect execution data to lifecycle analysis
* Translate program actuals, forecasts, milestones, and operational assumptions into inputs for product lifecycle financial models.
* Reconcile program-level information with assumptions across RDT&E, Production, and Sustainment, maintaining traceability to source data.
* Help explain differences between an individual program’s performance and broader product economics.
* Work with team members to assess whether execution results warrant changes to longer-term assumptions, recognizing that one program may not represent the entire product.
Build and improve financial analyses
* Develop and maintain Excel templates, supporting schedules, and moderately complex analyses, including work that begins with incomplete inputs.
* Use transparent formulas, consistent structures, documented assumptions, and checks that make analysis understandable and reviewable.
* Conduct scenario and sensitivity analyses with guidance; communicate findings, uncertainties, and implications clearly.
* Improve recurring spreadsheets and workflows to reduce manual effort and strengthen reliability.
* Build, maintain, and scale financial models used for forecasting, budgeting, and long-term planning

Required qualifications:
* Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or a related field
* 3+ years of progressive experience in financial analysis, independent cost estimating, corporate finance, or FP&A
* Experience supporting operations or customer-facing teams in a manufacturing, aerospace, or tech environment
* Familiarity with cost accounting concepts and government contracting structures (e.g., T&M, CPFF, FFP)
* Familiarity with product lifecycles from design through execution, production, and sustainment
* Solid understanding of financial statements and business metrics
* Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborate cross-functionally in a fast-moving environment
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders
* Advanced proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, and data analysis
* Ability to obtain Secret clearance

Preferred qualifications:
* MBA or Master’s degree in a related discipline
* Strong understanding of US GAAP, with practical experience applying accounting principles in a government contracting or manufacturing environment
* Exposure to Microsoft Fabric, Power Query, DAX, or other data transformation and modeling tools
* Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Costpoint) and planning tools (e.g., Anaplan)
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.