Chief Financial Officer; CFO

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – Astrolab

Department:
Accounting & Finance

Employment Type:

Full Time

Location:

Hawthorne, California

Reporting To:
Jaret Matthews

Compensation: $250,000 - $375,000 per year

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi‑purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world‑class team.

The CFO will be responsible for Astrolab’s financial leadership, ensuring fiscal health, operational discipline, and strategic growth as we transition from development to production and revenue‑generating operations. This role requires both strategic vision and hands‑on execution — from leading capital raises to building robust financial infrastructure that supports a hardware‑centric, rapidly scaling space technology company.

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and executive team to define and execute Astrolab’s long‑term financial strategy, aligning with the company’s mission and growth roadmap.

• Lead capital‑raising efforts (equity, debt) ensuring efficient capital stack formation to fund product development, manufacturing scale‑up, and mission execution, while collaborating with the executive team on strategic partnerships to enhance financial and operational objectives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with investors, financial institutions, and key stakeholders to support fundraising and strategic initiatives.

Financial Planning & Operations

• Oversee all aspects of accounting, FP&A, treasury, and financial reporting.

• Build financial models, forecasts, and business cases that inform company decisions and investor communications.

• Establish scalable financial systems and controls to support growth in manufacturing, inventory management, and mission operations.

• Lead budgeting and cost‑management processes across engineering, production, and operations, optimizing resource allocation in a capital‑intensive environment.

Capital Strategy & Risk Management

• Design and manage capital allocation frameworks that balance growth investment with financial discipline and long‑term sustainability.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks, including those related to market volatility, supply‑chain disruptions, and regulatory changes.

• Support contract structuring, pricing strategies, and margin analysis for commercial and government programs, ensuring competitive and profitable outcomes.

Team Leadership

• Build and mentor a high‑performing finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

• Foster collaboration across departments to ensure financial strategies support engineering, production, and mission execution.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, including statutory financial reporting, tax filings, and audits, particularly as the company scales and engages with debt and equity investors.

• Oversee equity management, including stock‑option plans and cap‑table administration, ensuring compliance and transparency.

• Manage corporate insurance programs to mitigate operational and financial risks.

Other

• Oversee payroll operations to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations.

• Implement tax strategies to optimize the company’s financial position, including R&D tax credits and other incentives relevant to the space industry.

• Collaborate on international financial operations, including banking, treasury, and compliance with global regulations, to support potential expansion or partnerships.

What’s Prepared You

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field (MBA, CPA, or equivalent advanced degree/certification preferred).

• 10+ years of progressive experience in financial leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a senior executive capacity, preferably in a hardware, manufacturing, or technology‑driven industry.

• Proven track record of raising significant capital (e.g., $50M+ in equity or debt) and managing investor…