Chief Financial Officer (Aerospace & Defense)
About the Role
Monarch Space Systems seeks a Chief Financial Officer to serve as the chief financial architect of an aerospace engineering services and advanced propulsion research organization. The CFO will provide strategic financial leadership for government programs, ensure rigorous compliance with federal contracting requirements, and establish the financial infrastructure required for institutional maturity in the aerospace and defense sector. This is a board-level visibility role with equity participation eligibility and a direct reporting line to the Founder & CEO. Primary location is Cleveland, Ohio.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute financial strategy aligned with institutional growth, capital deployment, and federal contracting objectives for aerospace and defense programs
- Establish and maintain DCAA-compliant accounting systems, cost accounting standards (CAS), and FAR/DFARS-aligned financial controls
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range capital modeling for mission-critical programs
- Lead all financial reporting, audit readiness, and government oversight engagements including DCAA audits
- Manage treasury, cash flow, and working capital strategies appropriate to a government contractor environment
- Support board-level financial reporting and investor relations as the institution scales
- Oversee export compliance financial controls and ITAR/EAR cost segregation requirements
- Lead finance team hiring, development, and departmental build-out
- Partner with the COO on earned value management systems (EVMS) and contract financial performance across space systems programs
- Provide financial analysis and modeling to support strategic partnership, teaming, and acquisition evaluations
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field; CPA or CFA strongly preferred
- 15+ years of progressive finance leadership with 5+ years as CFO or VP Finance
- Deep knowledge of federal government contracting financial requirements including FAR, DFARS, DCAA, and CAS
- Experience establishing or managing DCAA-compliant accounting systems in an aerospace or defense environment
- Demonstrated ability to lead financial operations in a scaling institutional environment supporting government programs
- U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain or maintain security clearance eligibility as required
The qualifications above describe the ideal candidate profile for this position — not an inflexible checklist. Monarch Space Systems evaluates the whole of a candidate's experience, judgment, and mission alignment, and welcomes a conversation with individuals of exceptional ability whose backgrounds differ from the profile in some respects. If you believe you can contribute at the level this role demands, we encourage you to apply or to initiate a confidential inquiry through the Careers Portal. Certain criteria — including U.S. citizenship and export-control (ITAR/EAR) eligibility, where stated — are legal mandates and cannot be waived.
This role references security clearance eligibility. Understand what that means, and how clearance and federal site badging work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced technology government contracting
- Track record supporting institutional capital raises, strategic partnerships, or M&A transactions
- Familiarity with CMMC cybersecurity cost implications and export compliance financial controls
- Experience with board-level financial reporting and investor relations
- Knowledge of EVMS (ANSI-748) and program financial controls for aerospace systems
This position may require eligibility to access controlled or proprietary information and may be subject to confidentiality and employment agreements, including an NDA and role-specific restrictive covenants, in accordance with applicable laws.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
- Paid time off, federal holidays, and personal leave
- Professional development and continuing education support
- Downtown Cleveland parking or transit subsidy
- Collaborative, mission-driven institutional culture
- Executive compensation package including performance incentive and potential equity participation (board approval required)
- Board-level visibility and strategic leadership authority
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