Sr. Financial Analyst

About the role

The Senior FP&A Analyst drives financial strategy and operational insight across HRL Laboratories' programs. This role owns the end-to-end financial planning cycle, ensuring alignment between cost, schedule, and technical milestones. You will translate complex program data into clear financial narratives that guide executive decisions and portfolio management. You act as a trusted advisor to program leaders, supporting proactive adjustments to resources and forecasts. The position demands rigorous oversight of indirect cost structures and pricing integrity. You will safeguard the accuracy of financial submissions that underpin contract performance and compliance. This role shapes the financial foundations that enable breakthrough innovation in defense and aerospace. Your work directly influences how HRL delivers transformative solutions to its customers.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Drive the development and oversight of indirect budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning across multiple programs.
• Lead the preparation, review, and audit readiness of the Forward Pricing Rates Proposal (FPRP) and the Incurred Cost Submission (ICS) in strict alignment with government guidelines.
• Architect and maintain sophisticated financial models that evaluate tradeoffs, scenario outcomes, and strategic investment decisions.
• Synthesize financial performance data, isolate root causes of variance, and deliver concise insights and recommendations to Directors, VPs, and the Executive team.
• Partner with Program Finance, Accounting, Accounts Receivable, and technical teams to validate data, reconcile metrics, and ensure consistency across reporting lines.
• Design and deliver management reports, dashboards, and variance analyses that clarify cost, schedule, and technical interdependencies for senior stakeholders.
• Provide financial analysis that supports bid strategies, contract negotiations, and the execution of business development initiatives.
• Coordinate inputs and evidence for internal and external audits, ensuring timely responses and robust compliance documentation.
• Uphold strict adherence to financial policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements governing defense contracting.
• Develop and mentor junior analysts, promoting a culture of accuracy, curiosity, and continuous process improvement.
• Execute ad-hoc analyses that address urgent inquiries, support leadership meetings, and inform time-sensitive decisions.
• Translate strategic objectives into financial plans, clarifying resource needs, risk exposure, and performance targets for cross-functional teams.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Bring a minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis within the defense or research and development sector.
• Demonstrate prior experience preparing and submitting Forward Pricing Rates Proposals (FPRP) and Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS) to government agencies.
• Show advanced mastery of financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting techniques, with a record of applying them to complex programs.
• Exhibit excellent analytical capabilities, including the ability to interpret large, multi-source datasets and extract actionable conclusions.
• Maintain expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions, pivot tables, and data validation practices.
• Have familiarity with financial planning and reporting software, with specific experience using IBM TM1 and Deltek Costpoint strongly preferred.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, adapting financial concepts and recommendations for both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Proven success collaborating within cross-functional teams while managing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, disciplined analysis, and an unwavering commitment to accuracy in all deliverables.
• Hold U.S. Citizenship and be able to obtain and maintain the U.S. Department of Defense Public Trust Security Clearance.
• Have experience working within government contract environments, with knowledge of relevant compliance and regulatory frameworks.

Nice to have

• Hold an MBA or other advanced business degree.
• Bring prior experience using IBM TM1 and Deltek Costpoint for financial planning and reporting.

Practical notes

This is a Regular, full-time position. The work location is fixed in Malibu, California. Candidates must be eligible for and maintain U.S. Government security clearance requirements. There are no specified travel requirements, and the engagement is not time-bound by a project end date.