Controller, Accounting, Financial Compliance

Jet Zero Team

We are experienced aerospace professionals and engineers, excited about the future. That future will only be possible if we share our vision and what it means to people’s lives: carbon‑free flight that is better for both passengers and airlines around the world.

Jet Zero is seeking a Controller to join the team and own the accounting function end‑to‑end. This role will focus on building the team, streamlining the close process, and preparing the company for the rigor of public‑company reporting. The Controller reports to the CFO and serves as the technical accounting backbone of a hardware‑intensive, dual‑use aerospace company scaling toward full‑scope airplane OEM with a path towards public offering.

• Own and manage GAAP‑compliant month‑end close, driving cycle time toward a 15‑day target within the first year.
• Ensure complex accounting issues are identified and addressed on a monthly basis.
• Translate technical accounting findings into clear, actionable language for executive leadership.

• Lead the relationship with external auditors and manage completion of the annual financial audit.
• Present audit findings and remediation plans to internal executive leadership.
• Build and maintain documentation, internal controls, and reporting frameworks consistent with public‑company requirements.

• Identify and implement process improvements across the accounting function.
• Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable to ensure timely incoming and outgoing payments.
• Oversee cost accounting for physical product manufacturing, including defense contract compliance.
• Manage multi‑currency consolidation across international entities.
• Partner with executive leadership on tax incentive management and related reporting.

• Hire, develop, and lead an accounting team able to support public company‑level requirements into the future.
• Establish scalable workflows and clear ownership as the function grows in complexity and headcount.

• A technically deep, hands‑on accounting leader who thrives in ambiguity and is energized by building a function.
• Comfortable operating without a playbook and driving improvement initiatives into action plans.
• Adapts to a dynamic start‑up environment while maintaining rigor required of the accounting and controlling function.
• A clear communicator who translates complex accounting into language that lands with operators and executives.
• Curious, detail‑oriented, with a sharp eye for inconsistencies and a process‑minded approach to solving them.
• Excited by the intersection of hard tech, aerospace, and defense – motivated by the mission, not just the role.

• CPA (active).
• 8+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience, including time in a startup, manufacturing or hardware environment.
• Public accounting background, Big‑4 firm experience a significant plus.
• Demonstrated experience building and leading an accounting team.
• Cost accounting expertise for manufactured products.
• Defense contracting accounting knowledge (FAR/DFARS compliance).
• IPO readiness experience – preparation of SEC‑required documentation and public‑company reporting.
• Multi‑currency consolidation across international subsidiaries.
• Hands‑on experience managing external audit.

• Experience scaling a company from growth stage through IPO.
• Familiarity with government tax incentive programs (R&D credits, CHIPS Act, etc.).
• Comfort operating in a fast‑moving, resource‑constrained startup environment.
• Leading edge knowledge of AI integration into accounting / finance functions – a significant plus.

The expected salary range for this position is between $220,000 and $250,000
. Compensation is a blend of base salary and equity options for eligible employees. Base salary is within a set range based on market benchmarks for each role, level and location.

Benefits include:

• Unlimited PTO
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k)
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Equity tax advisory services

• Our First Chat: Conversation with a recruiter or hiring team member to review background…