LIVE FEEDVIEWS 1UTC —
POSTING ACTIVE · REQ-0FBC1 · FY26.Q3
Senior Manager, Strategic Finance (R5566)
[ COMPENSATION RANGE · ANNUAL · BASE ]
$160,000 – $240,000USD
MIDPOINT
$200,000
SPREAD
$80,000
LEVEL
SENIOR
§ 01
OVERVIEW
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.
§ 02
JOB DESCRIPTION:
We build advanced autonomous systems for defense markets—complex hardware and software products that demand world-class financial modeling, rigorous strategic analysis, and the ability to turn complexity into clarity.
We seek a Senior Strategic Finance Lead with deep Aerospace & Defense (A&D) experience, a strong strategic or corporate finance background in a publicly traded company, and a proven track record architecting and owning long-range financial models. You will serve as the analytical engine of Corporate Finance: designing the company’s fully integrated long-range three‑statement and unit economics model, driving enterprise-level financial strategy, and producing investor-grade outputs that shape decisions at the C-suite, Board, and ultimately public investors.
Candidates must bring elite modeling expertise (IB/PE/HF/Equity Research), mastery of complex HW/SW unit economics, and comfort operating in a fast-paced, high‑growth environment.
§ 03
WHAT YOU'LL DO
§ 04
OWN AND BUILD THE STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MODEL
§ 05
DIGITIZE & SCALE MODELING INFRASTRUCTURE
§ 06
ANALYZE THE BUSINESS LIKE AN INVESTOR
§ 07
LEAD CASH FLOW & LIQUIDITY MODELING
§ 08
PARTNER ACROSS THE COMPANY
§ 09
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 8–10 years of experience, including significant time in investment banking, PE, hedge funds, or equity research.
- Direct strategic finance leadership experience in a publicly traded company.
- Deep A&D industry exposure (defense, aerospace, autonomy, robotics, industrial tech, or complex HW/SW).
- Proven ownership of scalable three‑statement models, LRP development, valuations, sensitivities, and unit economics.
- Exceptional Excel modeling capability; fluent in multi‑scenario three‑statement modeling, beat-and-raise frameworks, and driver-based forecasting.
- Strong GAAP proficiency and command of financial statement mechanics.
- Demonstrated ability to distill complex financial and technical information into clear insights for executives, Board, and investors.
- Thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments with high accuracy and strong judgment.
- Systems-oriented mindset; comfortable partnering with data and systems teams.
§ 10
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with government contract economics, milestone‑based revenue, and program accounting.
- M&A experience including modeling, valuation, and diligence.
- Exposure to manufacturing scale, supply chain dynamics, and hardware production cycles.
§ 11
WHO YOU ARE
- An analytical athlete with exceptional modeling intuition and attention to detail.
- A structured, clear thinker who simplifies complexity without losing nuance.
- Fast, accurate, and calm under pressure.
- Curious, forward-looking, and driven to understand what truly moves the business.
- A strong communicator who elevates decision quality across the company.
- Mission-driven and energized by solving complex, high‑impact problems.
§ 12
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
You will build the strategic financial model that defines how the business is understood—internally, at the Board level, and eventually by public investors. Your work will guide product strategy, capital allocation, investments, and long-range ambitions. This is Strategic Finance at its highest level: high complexity, high visibility, high impact.
#LI-TF1
#LE
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.
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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.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- How much does the Senior Manager, Strategic Finance (R5566) at Shield AI pay?
- The posting lists a range of $160K–$240K per year. Ranges reflect what Shield AI publicly declared on the source posting.
- Where is this Senior Manager, Strategic Finance (R5566) role based?
- The role is based in San Mateo, California.
- What experience does Shield AI expect for this role?
- The posting is tagged as a senior-level role, typically 5+ years of experience. Check the requirements section for specifics.
- Where is Shield AI headquartered?
- Shield AI is headquartered in San Diego, USA.
- How was this posting sourced?
- This role was pulled directly from Shield AI's Lever careers site. Apply links open in the employer's own ATS — no reposts or aggregator middleware.
[ APPLICATION ROUTE ]LEVER · External ATS
Apply links open in the employer's official ATS. Always verify recruitment messages on the company's careers page before sharing personal information.
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