Head of Finance

TRL11 is seeking a hands-on Head of Finance to lead and build our finance function through the company’s next stage of growth.

TRL11 has established core financial operations, including bookkeeping support, financial reporting, and a long-range financial model. This person will become our first dedicated internal finance leader, taking ownership of day-to-day execution while building the systems, controls, and processes needed to support a scaling aerospace technology company.

The role spans the full finance lifecycle - from invoice processing, cash management, and financial close to budgeting, ERP implementation, government accounting readiness, and fundraising support. The Head of Finance will initially operate as a highly capable individual contributor and will develop the organization, systems, and team as the company grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Own financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, cash management, expense administration, and close activities.
• Manage external bookkeeping, tax, audit, banking, insurance, and accounting resources.
• Deliver accurate financial reporting, forecasts, cash planning, and decision support to leadership and the Board.
• Design and implement company-wide budgeting, budget-to-actual reporting, and variance analysis.
• Maintain and improve the company’s financial model, including revenue, hiring, operating expense, capital, and runway forecasts.
• Establish practical internal controls, approval workflows, reconciliations, and documented finance procedures.
• Serve as the finance lead for ERP implementation, including inventory, manufacturing, procurement, project accounting, billing, and reporting requirements.
• Develop a roadmap for government accounting readiness, including timekeeping, cost allocation, indirect rates, project costing, contract billing, and audit support.
• Support fundraising, lender and investor diligence, data-room preparation, financial presentations, and strategic analysis.
• Provide financial input on pricing, customer contracts, payment terms, capital investments, and major vendor commitments.
• Build a scalable finance organization using the appropriate combination of internal hires, systems, and external specialists.

Requirements

Basic

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of progressive finance, accounting, or FP&A experience.
• Experience owning a broad finance scope in a startup, growth-stage company, small business, or similarly hands-on environment.
• Strong knowledge of financial statements, accrual accounting, cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated experience building or improving financial processes and reporting systems.
• Experience managing external accounting and financial service providers.
• Experience supporting an ERP or accounting-system implementation.
• Strong financial modeling, spreadsheet, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to move comfortably between strategic analysis and detailed execution.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and careful handling of confidential information.

Preferred

• CPA, CMA, MBA, or another relevant advanced qualification.
• Experience as an early or first finance hire at a rapidly growing company.
• Aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, hardware, or government contracting experience.
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, DCAA expectations, indirect rates, timekeeping, cost allocation, and contract billing.
• Experience with inventory, manufacturing, project, or contract accounting.
• Experience supporting institutional fundraising, Board reporting, audits, or lender diligence.
• Experience building and scaling a finance team.

Benefits

• Fast paced, energetic startup culture, where you'll learn a lot, have great impact, and have fun doing it
• 401k, Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (with prior approval), for Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays
• Possible Stock Option Plan participation, based on performance and tenure