Senior Manager, Strategic Finance

About the role

Senior Strategic Finance Lead

Shield AI operates at the intersection of advanced technology and national security, developing intelligent autonomous systems to protect service members and civilians. The company's portfolio includes the Hivemind autonomy software platform, the V-BAT and X-BAT vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and the Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With a global footprint featuring offices and facilities across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region, Shield AI's solutions support defense operations worldwide. Additional information is available at www.shield.ai, and the company maintains an active presence on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

This position is a critical addition to the Corporate Finance organization, responsible for providing analytical rigor and strategic clarity to the enterprise. The Senior Strategic Finance Lead will serve as the primary architect of long-range financial planning, translating the intricate cost structures and business models of complex hardware and software systems into compelling, board-level narratives. Success in this role requires the ability to deconstruct complexity and deliver clear, actionable insights that drive executive decision-making. The individual in this position will own the development, maintenance, and analysis of the company's fully integrated financial models.

The core responsibility of this role is the design and management of Shield AI's long-range, fully integrated three-statement and unit economics model. This includes building detailed constructions that accurately capture the cost structures, volume assumptions, and margin profiles for the V-BAT, X-BAT aircraft lines, as well as the Hivemind and Aechelon software and simulation products. The Senior Strategic Finance Lead will conduct rigorous scenario reviews, assessing how potential shifts in market dynamics, regulatory environments, or technological advancements impact unit economics and overall profitability. You will shape ship-ready forecasts that directly inform leadership decisions regarding funding strategies, resource allocation, and operational resourcing across all program areas.

A significant portion of the role involves establishing and maintaining deep partner insights. This function requires close collaboration with product, engineering, and commercial teams to ensure that financial strategies align with actual customer value propositions and prevailing contract structures. You will coordinate key assumptions across all major technology programs, including Hivemind, V-BAT, X-BAT, and Aechelon, to ensure coherence in planning, forecasting, and analysis. The position will lead sophisticated sensitivity and risk analyses, stress-testing the long-term financial resilience of the business under conditions of significant uncertainty.

A core output of this role is the translation of highly complex financial models into clear, investor-grade narratives. The Senior Strategic Finance Lead will produce materials used to shape decisions at the C-suite level, guide the Board of Directors, and inform external stakeholders, including potential public investors. This requires a high level of mastery over financial modeling techniques and an ability to distill intricate hardware and software economics into accessible and strategic stories.

The ideal candidate brings five to seven years of progressive experience in strategic or corporate finance, with a demonstrated history of architecting and owning large-scale financial models. A background in the Aerospace and Defense sector, or prior experience with public company reporting and compliance, is essential for navigating the specific dynamics of this market. Candidates must exhibit mastery in building and maintaining integrated financial models, demonstrating expertise gained in environments such as investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, or equity research.

Proficiency with the tools of the trade is non-negotiable. Expertise in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is required, along with functional knowledge of SQL and Python for data analysis. Experience with NetSuite, Jira, and Confluence is expected to ensure seamless integration with operational and project management workflows. The successful candidate must thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, demonstrating comfort with ambiguous priorities, evolving requirements, and demanding deadlines.

Prior experience with defense contracting cycles and an understanding of related compliance considerations is a distinct advantage for this position. The Senior Strategic Finance Lead will be expected to quickly become a subject matter expert on the nuances of the defense industry and its financial implications.

This is an exempt, full-time position based in San Francisco, California. The compensation package for this role is within the range of $180,000 to $260,000 USD, commensurate with experience and performance. Candidates are encouraged to confirm specific details regarding the role on the official application page. Shield AI is an equal opportunity employer.