Tax Manager, Credits & Incentives

About the role

SpaceX is seeking a Tax Manager to oversee the company's tax credit and incentive programs. You will report to the Director of Tax and manage the lifecycle of these initiatives, from initial planning and data gathering to final compliance and reporting. In this capacity, you will serve as the primary internal owner for a portfolio of strategic tax initiatives that directly impact the company's financial position and operational roadmap. The role requires a high level of ownership, where you will not only execute complex compliance requirements but also drive process enhancements that standardize methodologies across business units. You will translate intricate regulatory frameworks into actionable business insights, ensuring that the organization maximizes its eligibility for government incentives. This position is critical for bridging the gap between technical project execution and tax compliance, demanding a proactive approach to identify opportunities and mitigate risks. The successful candidate will be a strategic partner to the business, embedding tax considerations into project planning from the earliest stages.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Spearhead the end-to-end management of R&D, sustainability, renewable energy, and CHIPS credits, ensuring all deliverables meet stringent regulatory standards.
• Architect and refine data collection methodologies to streamline analysis workflows, thereby increasing operational efficiency and accuracy of credit calculations.
• Liaise with external tax advisors to validate complex calculations and shepherd the preparation of high-quality documentation required for audits and filings.
• Function as a key business advisor, articulating the tax implications of proposed corporate strategies to internal stakeholders to guide decision-making.
• Pioneer the adoption of new technology solutions to modernize legacy tax processes and enhance the reliability of credit tracking systems.
• Orchestrate cross-functional initiatives, aligning engineering, finance, and sustainability teams to gather necessary technical and financial data.
• Interpret evolving regulatory landscapes to assess potential impacts on current and future project eligibility for various incentive programs.
• Develop and maintain detailed project documentation to support audit readiness and ensure transparent reporting to management.
• Optimize the preparation of quarterly and annual reports, focusing on key credit metrics and compliance status for executive review.
• Establish strong working relationships with tax authorities to facilitate timely resolutions and maintain a positive compliance posture.
• Drive the identification of incremental tax savings opportunities through rigorous analysis of credit utilization and qualification criteria.
• Standardize best practices across the organization to ensure consistency in the application of tax credit policies and procedures.
• Monitor project timelines to ensure adherence to strict filing deadlines and regulatory milestones without compromising quality.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing controls and implement improvements to mitigate compliance risks associated with claim submissions.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in accounting, tax, business, engineering, or technology.
• Bring a minimum of 5 years of tax experience in public accounting, specifically focused on R&D, renewable energy, or manufacturing credits.
• Maintain status as a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR requirements.
• Demonstrate the ability to work onsite in Hawthorne, CA full-time and commit to extended hours when project deadlines require.
• Possess a deep understanding of tax credit compliance rules and the ability to apply them to complex technical projects.
• Show a proven track record of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills necessary to interact effectively with technical and executive audiences.
• Display meticulous attention to detail to ensure the accuracy of tax filings and credit calculations.
• Demonstrate the capacity to obtain and maintain any necessary security clearances or compliance certifications as required by the role.

Nice to have

• Hold a CPA certification.
• Bring previous experience from a Big 4 firm.
• Show familiarity with the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS Act, and Section 41 R&D credits.
• Demonstrate an understanding of fixed asset depreciation and engineering or sustainability project lifecycles.
• Have experience interacting with tax authorities regarding compliance matters.

Skills & tools

• Tax credit compliance and planning
• Data analysis and process improvement
• Cross-functional communication

Practical notes

Compensation for Level 1 is $140,000 to $190,000 per year, determined by experience and education. The total rewards package includes long-term incentives such as stock or cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental insurance, 401(k), disability and life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of vacation, and 10 or more paid holidays. SpaceX is an equal opportunity employer.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.